Data Scientist - Decision Support

FDM is a global business and technology consultancy seeking a Data Scientist - Decision Support to work for our client within the finance sector. This is initially a 6-month contract with the potential to extend and will be a hybrid role based in Glasgow.

Our client is seeking a strategic and technically skilled professional to lead the development of a robust decision support model for workforce strategy. This model will enable a forward-looking, data-driven approach to workforce planning—informing location strategy, talent deployment, and long-term resource decisions across the organisation.

This is a high-impact role, ideal for someone with a blend of modelling expertise, data science fluency, and stakeholder engagement experience. You will design and deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that empowers business leaders with actionable insights to drive better decisions around workforce optimisation.

Responsibilities

• Design and build a flexible, transparent decision support model to assess workforce deployment options, considering variables such as location strategy, skills mapping, tenure, performance indicators, office attendance, attrition, and retirement forecasts
• Convert ad-hoc workforce strategies into a formalised, model-based framework that supports governance and informs quarterly or semi-annual reviews
• Deliver model outputs that provide business leaders with a range of strategic options, supported by variable-rich, scenario-based analysis to aid human-in-the-loop decision-making
• Develop the model using the most appropriate tools for the task.
• Partner with internal teams and academic collaborators (including active engagement with a university research stream) to ensure robust methodologies, with the possibility of supporting doctoral-level research
• Work with a complex dataset representing approximately 6,000 roles to uncover insights and guide modelling assumptions
• Lead the full lifecycle of the model—from initial concept and design through to production, handover, and support for ongoing maintenance by junior team members
• Produce and maintain dynamic location rankings based on operational and external market variables such as skills availability, wage inflation, and hiring feasibility
• Ensure the decision support tool remains dynamic, up to date, and aligned with stakeholder needs through regular updates and feedback loops

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years’ demonstrated experience in building decision support or optimisation models, ideally related to workforce strategy, operations, or corporate real estate
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to integrate and interpret multiple complex data points into structured outputs
• Proficiency in at least one analytical programming language (e.g., Python, R)
• Familiarity with business intelligence tools such as PowerBI, Tableau, or QlikView
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Experience working with large datasets, ideally HR or workforce-related
• End-to-end project delivery experience, including transition planning to junior team members or operational teams
• An interest in, or prior experience collaborating with, academic or research institutions is a plus

Why join us

• Career coaching, mentoring and access to upskilling throughout your entire FDM career
• Assignments with global companies and opportunities to work abroad
• Opportunity to re-skill and up-skill into new areas, develop non-linear career paths and build a skillset within your field
• Annual leave, work-place pension

About FDM

We are a business and technology consultancy and one of the UK's leading employers, recruiting the brightest talent to become the innovators of tomorrow. We have centres across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, and a global workforce of over 2,500 employees. FDM has shown exponential growth throughout the years, firmly establishing itself as an award-winning employer and is listed on the FTSE4Good Index.

Diversity and Inclusion

FDM Group is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, provincial or local laws.