At a Glance
- Tasks: Implement advanced analytical models to drive insights for elite coach development.
- Company: Join the FA and contribute to the future of football coaching.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to impact the game.
- Other info: Collaborate with top stakeholders and enjoy a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of data science in football and shape elite coaching.
- Qualifications: Degree in a quantitative field and experience in data science required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
This role will implement advanced analytical models to provide actionable insights, helping drive evidence-based processes and decisions around elite coach development. Leveraging expertise in data science to design, train, and optimise models, working closely with various stakeholders to ensure cutting-edge data-driven insights are effectively communicated and utilised.
The successful candidate will also collaborate with the Game Insights team to strengthen resources across the entire learning landscape, with primary focus on Elite Coaching and professional game qualifications. Reporting directly to the Elite Coach Developer, this role will support the progression of English home-grown coaches. The role may also periodically support additional responsibilities in player selection, development and performance.
The Insights Data Scientists will play a pivotal role in creating and implementing advanced analytical models to provide actionable insights and empower informed decision-making.
Data Science Skillset- Play a leading role in the implementation of advanced statistical techniques and various modelling approaches to derive insights from football datasets, including event data, optical and broadcast tracking data, and GPS/performance data.
- Optimise machine learning models, including both supervised and unsupervised learning methods.
- Conduct rigorous hypothesis testing and validation to ensure the robustness of analytical findings.
- Provide technical guidance and support to stakeholders to enhance their understanding and utilisation of data science tools.
- Work closely with the Senior Data Architect and Development Team to ensure seamless integration of analytics reporting and models.
- Ensure the quality of data used for model development through meticulous data checking and cleaning practices.
- Process and transform raw, unstructured data into usable formats for model training and analysis.
- Develop and refine features from raw data to enhance the performance of predictive models.
- Design and develop advanced statistical and machine learning models to analyse a broad set of football data, including event data, tracking data, and performance data.
- Select appropriate algorithms and model architectures based on the problem context and data characteristics.
- Train, validate, and tune models to achieve optimal performance.
- Monitor and refine model performance over time to ensure continued accuracy and relevance.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders to translate complex model outputs into actionable insights through impactful data visualisations.
- Executes additional tasks as required to meet the FA's changing priorities.
- Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety, and well-being can be maintained.
- As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.
- A bachelor's or master's degree or equivalent in a quantitative field (mathematics, statistics, computer/data science, etc.) or in sports science, sport management or related field with demonstrable data science experience.
- Experience in the fundamentals of data science, including but not limited to:
- Data visualisation
- Exploratory Data Analysis
- Data Wrangling
- Feature Engineering
- Model Selection/Training/Tuning
- Experience in utilising data to drive insights related to football-specific questions.
- Highly skilled in advanced statistical and modelling techniques.
- Experience with football-specific datasets, including but not limited to event data, optical tracking data, broadcast tracking data, and GPS data.
- Experience managing complex uncleansed datasets.
- Advanced proficiency in statistical programming languages, especially Python and/or R, for data analysis.
- Experience using cloud-based computing environments (Google Cloud Platform / Google Big Query is advantageous), demonstrating proficiency in utilising cloud resources for data analytics and ensuring seamless integration of data pipelines and analytics platforms.
- Demonstrable experience collaborating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders on analytics projects.
- Ability to be physically present at St. George's Park.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience in a similar role in a professional football environment
- Experience with Time-Series Analysis & Forecasting
- Experience with Bayesian inference/MCMC
England Insights Data Scientist (Elite Coach Development) in Burton upon Trent employer: The FA
The FA is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in the realm of elite coach development. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the organisation provides ample opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement, particularly in data science applications within football. Located at St. George's Park, employees benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and a culture that prioritises teamwork and evidence-based decision-making, making it an ideal place for those passionate about sports and analytics.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land England Insights Data Scientist (Elite Coach Development) in Burton upon Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the football and data science communities. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your data science projects, especially those related to football analytics. Use platforms like GitHub to share your code and visualisations. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with data wrangling, model training, and how you've used insights to drive decisions. Practice common interview questions and scenarios related to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience and passion for elite coaching and data science. It’s your chance to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace England Insights Data Scientist (Elite Coach Development) in Burton upon Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Insights Data Scientist. Highlight your experience with data science, especially in football-related contexts, and showcase any relevant projects or achievements that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about elite coach development and how your skills can contribute to the team. Be sure to mention specific experiences that demonstrate your expertise in data analysis and model optimisation.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role requires advanced statistical techniques and programming skills, make sure to highlight your proficiency in Python or R. Include examples of how you've used these skills to derive insights from complex datasets, particularly in sports.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. This way, your application will be directly reviewed by our team, ensuring it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at The FA
✨Know Your Data Science Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your data science fundamentals, especially around statistical techniques and machine learning models. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these skills in real-world scenarios, particularly in football-related contexts.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be working with various stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate complex data insights clearly. Prepare examples of how you've translated technical findings into actionable insights for non-technical audiences.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Football Datasets
Dive deep into the types of datasets mentioned in the job description, like event data and GPS tracking data. Being able to discuss specific examples of how you've worked with these datasets will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions related to model selection, training, and tuning. Brush up on your Python or R skills, and be ready to explain your thought process when it comes to optimising models and ensuring data quality.
