Senior Data Science Model Validation Specialist

Flexible working: this role is offered on a hybrid basis, with a blend of home and office working.

Senior Data Science Model Validation Specialist

The Role

As a Model Validation Senior Specialist, you will be responsible for independently validating some of our most complex and high‑impact models across the business. These models range from traditional statistical pricing models through to advanced Machine Learning and Predictive AI models. You spend a significant proportion of their time performing deep technical validation activities, including rebuilding models, conducting challenger analysis, and critically assessing modelling approaches. In addition to hands-on validation, the role carries responsibility for maintaining high validation standards, contributing to validation framework development, and ensuring robust independent challenge across the model landscape.

We are looking for Model Validation Senior Specialists to work closely with our Pricing Data Science teams, as well as contributing to wider initiatives including Model Risk Management (MRM) framework development, model lifecycle governance, and the integration of validation practices into our evolving AI and MLOps strategy. This role will sit within our Motor Pricing landscape, and the responsibilities will cover all models aligned to our Pricing stream, including price-affecting models for risk & retail, identification of application fraud, and the building of risk indexes for post-sale analysis.

About You

We are looking for a highly skilled, technically strong individuals who thrives on deep analytical challenge and independent thinking. You will be passionate about Data Science, Machine Learning and Model Risk Management, and motivated to challenge, improve, and enhance modelling practices across the organisation.

You will be hands-on, detail-oriented, and comfortable working at depth — from independently reviewing data to rebuilding models and challenging methodological decisions. You will be business-focused, understanding the commercial implications of models, and able to balance technical rigour with practical outcomes. You will also have the confidence and credibility to challenge experienced Data Scientists and influence stakeholders across technical and non-technical audiences across the Group.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Significant experience in Data Science, Machine learning or Pricing Model Validations. Strong hands-on experience with Predictive modelling (pricing or risk models preferred), Machine Learning and AI techniques and challenger model development. Experience in leading independent end-to-end validation of models, covering:
  • Conceptual soundness and methodology
  • Data integrity, assumptions and selection
  • Model training, testing, and performance evaluation
  • Model assumptions, limitations, and stability
  • Deployment, monitoring, and business impact

• Previous experience working within the General Insurance sector or the wider UK Financial Services industry

• Building ML, AI / Pricing independent challenger models for high materiality / high-risk models, using alternative techniques where appropriate.

• Providing robust, evidence-based challenge to Data Science and Pricing teams, ensuring models are fit for purpose. Assess advanced modelling techniques, including Machine Learning models (e.g. GBM, Random Forest, XGBoost), Neural Networks and deep learning approaches and predictive AI models.
• Producing high-quality validation reports, clearly articulating key findings, risks, limitations, assumptions, recommendations and validation outcomes. Working in collaboration with Responsible AI team on Ethics assessments.
• Contributing to the development of Model validation standards and frameworks, MRM policies / best practices and on the AI / Model Risk integration and future capability.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• A strong academic background and a degree in a quantitative field (e.g., mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering or machine learning) with a preference for candidates holding a postgraduate degree or PhD.
• Proficient in Python, R, SQL (advanced level), ML libraries (e.g. scikit-learn, XGBoost, TensorFlow, PyTorch. Pandas and NumPy for data manipulation). Experience with Cloud platforms (AWS / GCP / Azure) and model lifecycle tools / workflows (e.g. Jira, Calibra or similar).
• Strong understanding of Model validation techniques, MRM best practices, Statistical modelling, models performance evaluation, explainability and interpretability.
• Develop deep understanding of Admiral’s Pricing models and using this to provide impactful input and challenge to model developers to improve our modelling capabilities.
• Reviewing ongoing model performance monitoring to ensure our models perform within our risk thresholds and providing support to our first line of defence teams when action is required.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capability. Ability to independently drive validation activities from start to finish.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly and challenge stakeholders effectively including to the non-technical audiences. Must have a confidence to challenge business leaders using simple and compelling language.
• Understand how models are used in real-time decisioning and business strategies, and how to balance commercial and risk outcomes.
• Stay up to date with developments in Data Science, AI/ML, and Model Risk Management practices.

Please note - we may close this vacancy early if we receive lots of applications or business priorities change.

Admiral: Where You Can

We take pride in being a diverse and inclusive business. It's a place where you can Be You, and show up as you are. We’re committed to fostering a people-first culture where everyone is accepted, supported, and empowered to be brilliant. You can, Grow And Progress at a pace and direction that suits you, Make A Difference for our customers and each other, and Share in Our Future with all colleagues eligible for up to £3,600 of free shares each year after one year of service.

Everyone receives 33 days holiday (including bank holidays) when they join us, increasing the longer you stay with us, up to a maximum of 38 days (including bank holidays). You also have the option to buy or sell up to an additional five days of annual leave.

We’re proud of our people-first culture. In fact, we've been recognised as a Great Place to Work for Women, a Great Place to Work for Wellbeing, and an overall Great Place to Work for over 25 years! We’re fully committed to making sure your progression is not slowed or halted by barriers related to race, gender, age, sexuality or any of the protected characteristics.

Our fantastic benefits make sure our colleagues have a great work-life balance; You can view some of our other key benefits here.

Disability Confident Leader

As a Disability Confident Leader, for candidates with a disability or long-term health condition, that opt into the Disability Confident scheme, we’ll invite a fair and proportionate number of applicants that meet the essential requirements of the role to the first stage of our selection process.

If you need any adjustments or support with your application or during the recruitment process, just let us know. Please do email helen.hunt@admiralgroup.co.uk, contact us on  07796 062776. This number is dedicated to supporting candidates that require reasonable adjustments or support during the application process.

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