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: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth in sports analytics.
- 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) 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, we provide opportunities for professional advancement and skill enhancement, all while being situated at the state-of-the-art St. George's Park. Our culture prioritises teamwork and inclusivity, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued as we strive to elevate the standards of football in England.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land England Insights Data Scientist (Elite Coach Development)
✨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 tuning, and collaboration with stakeholders. Practice common interview questions and think about how you can relate your answers 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 shine!
We think you need these skills to ace England Insights Data Scientist (Elite Coach Development)
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 models you've worked on.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your skills align with our needs. Be specific about your experience with advanced analytical models and how you can contribute to elite coach development.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your proficiency in programming languages like Python or R, and any experience with cloud-based environments. We want to see how you can leverage these skills to drive insights in football datasets.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
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 translate complex data insights into understandable terms. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated technical findings to non-technical audiences.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face questions that test your knowledge of data wrangling, feature engineering, and model tuning. Brush up on your Python or R skills, and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've used these programming languages to solve problems.
✨Understand the Football Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current trends and challenges in elite coaching and player development within football. Being able to relate your data insights to the broader context of the sport will show your passion and understanding of the role.
