At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop statistical models to support football operations and decision-making.
- Company: Join Leeds United, a passionate team driving success behind the scenes.
- Benefits: Remote work flexibility, supportive culture, and opportunities for personal development.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in football by translating data into actionable insights.
- Qualifications: PhD or 3+ years in sports modelling with strong Python skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Can be remote - with some presence needed at Thorp Arch, LS23
Reports to: Head Of Football Analytics
Application Deadline: 6th May 2026
Join the Team Behind the Team
At Leeds United, we know that success on the pitch starts with strength behind the scenes. The Senior Statistical Analyst is responsible for developing statistical models working closely with our Principal Data Scientist and Head of Football Analytics to support decision-making across football operations, including player recruitment and team performance.
What You’ll Be Doing
This is a high-impact role at the intersection of football and data science, contributing directly to how the club identifies talent, evaluates performance, and gains competitive advantage. The successful candidate will help translate complex datasets into clear, actionable insights that support strategic and operational decisions across the football department.
Key Responsibilities
- Build statistical models. You will take models from research through to deployment.
- Leverage our (tracking) enhanced events dataset to build player and team rating models to quantify both capability and performance of skills within each game phase.
- Perform statistical analysis of datasets, testing well-defined hypotheses and effectively communicating results to various stakeholders.
- Contribute to the evaluation and improvement of existing player and team ratings models and identification of new research areas and approaches.
- Develop, validate, monitor and deploy models at scale, owning the process end to end using tools such as MLFlow and Prefect.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone proactive, personable, and who thrives in a busy environment. You’ll be a key point of contact, so building trust, staying organised, and maintaining confidentiality are all essential.
Qualifications & Training
- PhD in a quantitative area of study and demonstrated passion for working in sports modelling or 3+ years’ professional experience in sports modelling as a statistical analyst with sports data.
Requirements
- Strong programming skills in Python.
- Applied statistics knowledge with a solid understanding of Bayesian analysis, GAMs, GLMs and state-space models.
- Ability to evaluate new and existing predictive model performance using appropriate metrics, quantify and communicate predictive uncertainty.
- Ability to deploy models at scale using cloud-based infrastructure.
- Is open minded, innovative and willing to explore new ideas.
- Enjoys facing challenges and has the resilience and resourcefulness to see complex tasks through.
- Willing to share their knowledge experience as part of a community of practice.
Why Should You Join Leeds United?
Whether you are on the pitch or behind the scenes here, we’re united by passion, pride, and a drive to always improve. You’ll be joining a supportive people team where your voice is valued and your development matters.
Senior Statistical Analyst in Leeds employer: Leeds United
Contact Detail:
Leeds United Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Statistical Analyst in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the football analytics space, especially those connected to Leeds United. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you've got a portfolio of projects or models you've built, make sure to share them during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise and passion for sports modelling.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the unexpected! Be ready to tackle some real-world problems or case studies during interviews. This shows you can think on your feet and apply your statistical knowledge in practical situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Leeds United team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Statistical Analyst in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Statistical Analyst role. Highlight your experience with statistical models and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in sports data analysis. We want to see how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about football analytics and how your skills can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your programming skills, especially in Python, and your knowledge of applied statistics. Mention any experience with tools like MLFlow and Prefect, as these are key to the role. We’re keen to see how you can leverage technology in our operations!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Leeds United!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leeds United
✨Know Your Stats
Brush up on your statistical models and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in previous roles. Leeds United is looking for someone who can translate complex data into actionable insights, so be prepared to share specific examples of your work with player and team ratings.
✨Show Your Passion for Football
Make sure to convey your enthusiasm for the sport during the interview. Discuss how your love for football drives your analytical work and how you stay updated on the latest trends in sports analytics. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a personal level.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about programming in Python and your understanding of Bayesian analysis, GAMs, and GLMs. Brush up on these topics and be ready to explain your thought process when building and deploying models. Demonstrating your technical expertise will be crucial.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll be working closely with various stakeholders, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. During the interview, focus on how you would communicate your findings to non-technical team members, showcasing your ability to build trust and maintain confidentiality.