To ask what other job/career could I move into without slashing my pay?

[DrizzleHair]

After a few ideas please.
I'm currently an operational researcher - it's a gov role but basically means mathematical modelling / analysis. I'm a senior manager grade and earn ~60k pro rata.

I enjoy my job and I'm bloody good at it. Skills include: good with numbers (obviously), shit hot at Excel/vba, quick at picking up new software and I can do some programming. I'm also good at managing stakeholders and giving presentations - I can explain technical points to non technical audiences.

I'm also so hard working snd happy to take direction from managers, flexible with my approach etc. I think I work quite quickly too.

I'm afree a change of career. I don't know what into as my qualifications don't obviously fit my job - phd in computational scientific modelling, undergrad in science. I don't have any OR qualifications or decent lengthy programming experience.

My main reason for looking for a new career is commuting - I recently.moved out of London so my commute is over 2 hrs each way. I only need to be in the office 2 days a week so it's bearable, but I don't want to be commuting to London for the next 40 years. There are no civil service jobs where I now live, though it is a biggish city with plenty of other jobs I assume.

I thought about retraining as a science teacher but I'd be taking a 50%+ pay cut which I'm not sure our finances can cope with. Other local financial analyst type jobs all seem to require ACCA etc, and I don't think I can be arsed to spend years studying!

Amy thoughts on anything obvious I'm missing?

My one other thought was retraining as a physician's assistant - a new NHS role which is a bit like a doctor's scientific side kick. I always wanted to be a doctor and basically messed up my a levels due to boys/fun, so missed my chance there.

I'm nearing 40 with one preschooler and another on the way any week, so I potentially have maternity leave to do some soul searching / research, but from last time I suspect it'll all pass in a milky sleep deprived haze.

Any career / recruitment experts I'd really appreciate your advice please!

Risk Modeller

A PP's friend is a "catastrophe modeller": that'd be ideal for me! Could put my dark mind and anxiety to good use and get paid for it

OP, if you want to keep the salary / pension etc there is MoD in Portsmouth, defence science / technology laboratory.

Data science is growing.

Thanks for more ideas! I'll look into risk and catastrophe modelling, they sound exciting.

Kokusai is right! I'm specifically looking to leave the London job market. If a job I love which I'm good at, get well paid for, (perfectly well enough for me, I don't need any more than 60k), helps society, and let's me only travel in 2 days per week isn't enough draw to make me stay commuting then I'm not sure what would be!

I'd like to work in an office as I like seeing people I work with, making tea together etc. Fully wfh wouldn't suit me. 2 days pw wfh is ok but only because needs must, it's not my preference.

Ho hum. I know I'm being fussy but that's the whole point for now - work out what I want to move into in an ideal world then spend some making it happen

Data scientist in finance starting salary between 60-80k depending on experience. PM me & i'll send you links to a few opportunities.

I think financial hit for 4 yrs is too much so I'm ruling medicine out, especially as I'm about to go on mat leave so nothing can happen for minimum a year, probably 2. And I feel a bit old to spend that long retraining? I might rethink it though... All depends what happens for us financially in the next couple of years.
If only I'd knuckled down at 18 and got into medicine then!

What about data scientist? That would make use of your mathematical and analytical skills but also allow you to stretch it by adding thought and direction to the numbers?

I'm definitely going to look more into data scientist roles - I think that is a slightly optimistic description of what I currently do so I will look into beefing up my skills.in the relevant areas to be a better fit for this - thanks to everyone who suggested it. Really good idea.

I really need to refresh a thread before posting.... Sorry for duplicating what loads of others had already said!

Your skills would be perfect for the data scientist roles I've seen in banking and finance: just start applying for roles.

Funny you're in Soton! I lived there for 10 years. They teach OR there, that's where our friend lectured. Are Ordnance Survey still there? Worth looking at. RAC are/were near Winchester - another friend OR'd for them. Have a look at NOC for data scientist jobs too, or other maths modelling work - money not what you're used to, but great and flexible employer. And a new field to you.