At a Glance
- Tasks: Support analytics across departments, translating data into actionable insights for decision-making.
- Company: Join Nottingham Forest Football Club, a leader in professional sports analytics.
- Benefits: Gain invaluable experience, develop data skills, and build relationships in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Flexible start dates available; commitment to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make an impact in professional sports while pursuing your MSc programme.
- Qualifications: BSc in Data Science or related field; creativity and curiosity are key!
The predicted salary is between 10 - 13 £ per hour.
Commitment: 25 hours a week, August 2026 to May 2027
Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR
Department: First Team Coaching
Role Overview:
We are looking for a proactive individual with excellent attention to detail to join our team as a Data Insights Intern for the 2026/2027 season. This role will run parallel to an MSc programme based in the United Kingdom. The successful candidate will be working across the Club to support analytics provision across multiple departments with a focus on translating data into actionable insights that enhance decision-making.
In the role, you will be exposed to platforms, software, data sources, key stakeholders and processes that will offer invaluable experience for your future career in professional sports. In order to get the best from this opportunity, applicants must be able to commit to the position for the entire season. You will be based at the Nigel Doughty Training Ground and required to work a minimum of 25 hours per week. This internship opportunity will run from August 2026 to May 2027 (flexible start dates can be discussed to accommodate the start of the MSc programme) and enable the successful candidate to develop their applied data skills and relationships with key stakeholders across the Club.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities:
- People
- Provide support to key stakeholders and non-technical staff to enhance their understanding and utilisation of data.
- Work closely with coaches, performance analysts, scouts and others to translate data into practical performance insights.
- Develop relationships within the First Team to support the provision of data insights and the delivery of our football programme.
- Process
- Use data to answer ad-hoc performance questions to support decision-making.
- Collaborate with Club staff on long-term longitudinal research projects focused on identifying trends.
- Support data best practices across the Club, liaising with the Head of Sports Data Insights to ensure alignment with the wider Club data strategy.
- Work with the wider football intelligence team to continuously develop our data processes, systems and platforms.
- Product
- Basic querying, wrangling and manipulation of data.
- Work with various complex football datasets to create custom metrics.
- Build dashboards and other tools to be presented and distributed across the Club.
- Support our wider football intelligence team in the development of complex data models.
Skills, Experience and Knowledge:
- Essential
- BSc qualification in Data Science (or other STEM degrees), Performance Analysis or other relevant/equivalent degree.
- Creative and curious problem solver with a positive attitude to new challenges.
- Proactive and keen to learn, able to pick up new skills and work as part of a team.
- Desirable
- Understanding of technical and tactical aspects of football.
- Basic experience with R/Python and other programming languages.
- Basic experience using SQL for data management and analysis.
- Evidence of working and communicating data insights at any level.
- Previous experience working with data visualisation software (e.g. Tableau or equivalent).
Forest For Everyone
At Nottingham Forest Football Club we are committed to creating an environment where differences are respected, individuality is celebrated, everyone feels valued, supported, and included. Our goal is to ensure every member of our team can be themselves, contribute fully, and reach their potential without barriers.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Mental Wellbeing
As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from talented people of all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. We continue to develop policies and practices that promote equality, diversity, inclusion and mental wellbeing across our workforce. To help us measure progress and hold ourselves accountable, we ask all applicants to provide accurate diversity information during the recruitment process.
Disability Confident Committed Employer
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, taking positive steps to attract, recruit, and support disabled people. As part of this commitment, we work hard to ensure our recruitment processes are fair, inclusive, and accessible to everyone. We are committed to offering interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role and provide reasonable adjustments at every stage from the application process through to ongoing support in the workplace. If you are likely to meet the definition of being a "disabled person" according to the Equality Act 2010, you may be eligible to apply for an interview via the Disability Confident Scheme. Please indicate this in your application form. The information you share with us about your health or disability will not be used in recruitment selections.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
As part of the Club's commitment to safeguarding, the successful applicant may be required to undergo a Disclosure Barring Service ("DBS") check or an enhanced DBS check. The results of a DBS check will be considered on an individual basis, and the Club will act in a proportionate manner when deciding whether or not to proceed with the appointment. An FA Enhanced DBS disclosure is required for all relevant new appointments to the Club. Individuals will be asked to declare any convictions, cautions or reprimands, warnings or bind-overs that may have been incurred. The Club reserves the right to carry out risk assessments where content has been disclosed on a DBS disclosure if it feels that it is relevant to the job requirements. Failure to satisfy the Club and the PL's safeguarding requirements may lead to the job offer being withdrawn or, if they have already started employment, summary termination of the employment.
Health and Safety
At Nottingham Forest Football Club, we are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for all employees. In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, you are required to take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissions at work. You must also cooperate with the Club's health and safety policies and procedures. Should you identify any health and safety concerns, please report them promptly to your manager or a member of the Health and Safety/Facilities team.
MSc Data Insights Analyst Work Placement Student employer: Nottingham Forest Football Club
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and inclusive work environment, where individuality is celebrated and every team member is encouraged to reach their full potential. As a Data Insights Intern, you will gain invaluable experience working alongside key stakeholders in a dynamic sports setting, with opportunities for personal and professional growth while contributing to the club's data-driven decision-making processes. Located at the Nigel Doughty Training Ground in Nottingham, this role offers a unique chance to immerse yourself in the world of professional football analytics, all while being part of a community committed to equality, diversity, and mental wellbeing.
Contact Details:
Nottingham Forest Football Club Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land MSc Data Insights Analyst Work Placement Student
✨Get Involved in Data Communities
Join local data science meetups or online communities like Kaggle, where you can showcase your skills through competitions and collaborate with others. Being part of these groups not only boosts your visibility but also opens up potential placement opportunities!
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Don’t forget to check in with your university’s career services! They often have exclusive placement opportunities, workshops, and networking events tailored for data science students that can help you land that sweet gig at Nottingham Forest Football Club.
✨Show Off Your Projects
Create a public portfolio or blog where you can share your data science projects. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gives potential employers like Nottingham Forest Football Club a taste of what you can do! Plus, it’s a great conversation starter in interviews.
✨Connect with Professionals on LinkedIn
Reach out to data science professionals on LinkedIn and ask for informational interviews. Get to know their journeys and share your interest in placements. This approach makes you memorable and could open doors to opportunities at places like Nottingham Forest Football Club.
We think you need these skills to ace MSc Data Insights Analyst Work Placement Student
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off Your Data Skills:As a budding data scientist, we want to see your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving data analysis or machine learning. Include any programming languages you're proficient in, like Python or R, and don't forget to mention tools like TensorFlow or SQL that you’ve used!
Craft a Passionate Cover Letter:For a placement, your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn mean loads to us! In your cover letter, express what excites you about data science and how it aligns with your aspirations. Share specific examples of what you've learned so far – whether it's courses, personal projects, or even data challenges you've tackled!
Make Your Projects Pop:We love seeing practical examples of your work, so if you have a portfolio, now's the time to shine! Include detailed descriptions of your projects, the data sources you used, the challenges you faced, and what you achieved. If possible, share links to your GitHub or a personal website showcasing your work – it adds that extra touch!
Demonstrate Statistical Knowledge:Data science isn't just about coding; it's also about understanding the stats behind the algorithms. Be sure to highlight any coursework or relevant certifications you have in statistics or data analysis on your CV. It’ll show us you’ve got the theoretical background to complement your practical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham Forest Football Club
✨Master Your Data Tools
For a data science placement, it's crucial to get comfy with tools like Python, R, or SQL. Brush up on libraries like Pandas and NumPy, as you might be thrown some technical questions during the interview that require real-time coding or problem-solving.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio of your data projects, especially if they're relevant to Nottingham Forest Football Club. Whether it's a Kaggle competition or a personal project, showing off your practical work can really set you apart and demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Interviews in data science often include case study questions. Be ready to walk through your thought process on how to approach a data problem, what analysis you'd do, and how you'd interpret the results. This shows your analytical thinking and understanding of data.
✨Express Your Enthusiasm
Since it's a placement, they're looking for potential and enthusiasm just as much as skills. Be sure to express why you're passionate about data science, how you're eager to learn, and why you want to join Nottingham Forest Football Club specifically. Let your motivation shine through!