Earlier this year, the canoe slalom program in Great Britain advertised for a performance data analyst.
I though this marked a fascinating change in the sport and underscored for me the opportunities that are now appearing in sport that signal a fundamental shift in how learning journeys are being experienced in industry and in education systems.
This week, Leicester City are adding to this momentum with the advertisement of a Head of Football Analytics opportunity. I hoped the club would extend its expertise in an area they energised with their Tactical Insights Day in 2016.
The Role
- Produce unique and insightful performance metrics and analysis, using data modelling.
- Ensure that existing and new databases are maintained and updated promptly.
- Collaborate with appropriate members of staff at the club, and develop strategies to raise the overall levels of data literacy, analysis and visualisation.
- Develop the integrated, club-wide approach to providing data driven insights for performance evaluation, player recruitment, sports science and medical aspects of the club.
- Pro-active in the organisation and implementation of data analysis-based CPD learning activities within the club.
The person Leicester is seeking:
- Significant experience of working as part of a professional sports organisation, or other sports-related industries.
- Experience of managing large datasets, and producing high-quality data insights and visualisations for end-users.
- Experience from other areas may still be considered, based on the relevance to this role.
Masters or PhD in a numerate subject, this may include Statistics, Economics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science or related subjects. - Advanced coding ability (R, Python, XML/XSLT manipulations).
- Demonstrable working knowledge of databases, SQL and database design.
- Knowledge of using API’s to manage data sets, and experience using JSON scripts.
- Familiarity with raw data files such as Opta F24 & TracAb.
- Good time management & organisational skills, and ability to adhere to deadlines.
- Excellent written and communication skills in English, with the ability to present results clearly (verbally & visually), and to develop close working relationships with existing staff members with varied levels of data analysis experience.
- Demonstrable knowledge of football, and of how data analytics are currently being used to impact decision making processes in professional sport.
I noted Ted Knutson’s tweet about this opportunity.
This might be the first time I have seen a fully modern football job posting like this in the UK.
The world is changing.https://t.co/3i7LSUlqzZ
— Ted Knutson (@mixedknuts) November 8, 2018
Photo Credit
Leicester City ready for kick off (Ronnie Macdonald, CC BY 2.0)
