Job Description

Principal Data Scientist – AI & Data Strategy

Astrum Search is working exclusively with a major global, FTSE-listed organisation to recruit a Principal Data Scientist for its Group Internal Audit team.

This is a rare opportunity to help build an AI and data capability from the ground up - transforming Internal Audit from traditional sampling and retrospective reviews into continuous, data-led and forward-looking assurance.

You will:

• Help shape and deliver Internal Audit’s AI and data strategy

• Develop machine-learning and AI models to identify emerging risks

• Use anomaly detection to uncover fraud, errors and control weaknesses

• Build data pipelines, dashboards and continuous-auditing tools

• Improve data literacy across the audit team

• Support assurance over the organisation’s use and governance of AI

• Work closely with senior leaders across a complex global business

We’re looking for someone with:

• A strong record of delivering analytics, machine-learning or AI solutions

• Advanced Python or R and SQL skills

• Experience with Power BI or similar visualisation tools

• Knowledge of cloud and modern data platforms such as Azure, AWS, GCP or Snowflake

• The ability to explain technical concepts clearly and influence senior stakeholders

Internal Audit experience is useful but not essential. More important is an interest in understanding risk, business processes and controls - and applying data science to real commercial problems.

You’ll join a high-profile Group team with senior-level visibility, significant autonomy and genuine scope to shape how a global organisation uses data and AI within assurance.