At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build the quantitative research function for a sports betting startup.
- Company: Exciting startup revolutionising the sports betting industry with innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Senior-level autonomy, meaningful equity participation, and a chance to shape the future.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by defining strategies and leading a critical function from the ground up.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in quantitative research and strong statistical foundations required.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant influence and career growth in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Director/Head of Quantitative Research is required for a successful startup delivering innovative solutions to the sports betting industry. They capitalize on advanced statistical models and machine learning to interpret the complexities of sports, providing deep analytical insights. The role will be highly hands-on, particularly during the first 12–18 months. A core focus will be helping the company professionalise what they already have: putting stronger ways of working in place, improving how research is carried out, and ensuring everything is set up to scale beyond a team of one. As the team grows, the role will naturally become less hands-on.
They are looking for someone comfortable taking ownership of something that’s a little messy — someone who enjoys tidying, structuring, and improving what’s there so it’s ready for a broader team to collaborate on.
As Director/Head of Quantitative Research you will need:
- Senior-level experience in quantitative research or applied modelling
- Track record of building, leading, or professionalising a research function
- Strong statistical and data science foundations
- Commercially minded, with the ability to translate research into impact
- Comfortable operating in a lean, high-ownership environment
Responsibilities:
- Own and build the quantitative research function end-to-end
- Define research strategy, methodologies, tooling, and standards
- Develop quantitative models that directly support trading and commercial outcomes
- Establish robust data, validation, and research processes
- Act as a senior partner to trading, product, and leadership
- Hire and scale the quant team over time
- Set the long-term vision for quantitative research within the business
This is a rare opportunity to define and lead a critical function from inception, with significant influence over both strategy and execution. The role offers senior-level autonomy, long-term ownership, and meaningful equity participation in the business’s growth.
Head of Quantitative Research employer: Venture Up
Contact Detail:
Venture Up Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Quantitative Research
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant meetups. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your quantitative research skills. We suggest practising common interview questions and even doing mock interviews with friends. Show them you’re the hands-on leader they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your past successes! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight how you’ve built or improved research functions before. We want to see that you can tidy up and structure things like a champ!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Quantitative Research
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Quantitative Research. Highlight your senior-level experience in quantitative research and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to lead and professionalise a research function.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our startup. Share your passion for sports betting and how your skills can help us improve our research processes and drive commercial outcomes.
Showcase Your Hands-On Experience: Since this role is highly hands-on initially, make sure to highlight any past experiences where you've taken ownership of messy projects and successfully structured them for growth. We love candidates who thrive in lean environments!
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 don’t miss out on any important updates about the hiring process. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Venture Up
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Quantitative Research, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in statistical models and data science. Brush up on key concepts and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these skills. Prepare to explain how your work has translated into commercial outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires someone who can build and lead a team. Think about your past experiences in leading research functions and be prepared to share examples of how you've professionalised a team or improved processes. Highlight your approach to mentoring and developing talent.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the sports betting industry and the startup environment. Be ready to discuss how your quantitative research can impact trading and product strategies. Showing that you understand the commercial side will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Hands-On Scenarios
Since the role is highly hands-on initially, think of scenarios where you’ve had to dive deep into messy data or processes. Be ready to discuss how you would tackle challenges in setting up robust research methodologies and scaling a team over time.