Data and Insight Scientist

Welsh Rugby Union (WRU); Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary Sacrifice Pension

Life assurance

Ticket allocation

Birthday leave

Employee assistance programme

Hybrid working arrangements

Free stadium parking

Store discounts

Eye care voucher

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is seeking a data visuals professional to design and deliver high-quality player and performance dashboards and interactive tools. You will translate complex performance data into clear insights for coaches and multidisciplinary teams.

You will bring together data from Performance Analysis, Physical Performance, Medical and other sources to present an integrated view of player development, support self-service analytics, and continually improve usability and impact.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to translate complex data into visual, decision-ready outputs for non-technical audiences.
• Experience using AI-assisted coding and development tools for rapid delivery.
• Strong track record in data visualisation, dashboards and interactive analytical apps.
• Practical Python skills to manipulate, analyse and visualise data.
• Ability to combine traditional analytics with modern AI workflows.
• Experience sourcing and integrating data from multiple sources.
• Strong data storytelling and information design abilities.
• Working knowledge of data structures and SQL access would be advantageous.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder relationship skills.
• Experience in elite sport or high-performance environments desirable but not essential.
• Relevant qualification or equivalent practical experience in data analytics or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop high-quality player and performance data visualisations and dashboards.
• Translate complex data into clear, intuitive insights for coaches and teams.
• Integrate data from Performance Analysis, Physical Performance, Medical and other sources.
• Develop self-service analytical tools enabling coaches to explore player information.
• Support player trajectory, depth charts and pathway visualisations over time.
• Produce reporting to support reviews, development conversations and planning.
• Collaborate with coaches to translate questions into analytical products.
• Rapidly build, test and iterate new applications using feedback.
• Work with data scientists and specialists to translate advanced work into usable tools.
• Support development of the Player Intelligence System and data connectivity.
• Improve recurring reporting through automation and reusable workflows.
• Maintain data quality and consistency across outputs.
• Stay aware of developments in data viz, AI-assisted development and sports analytics.
• Represent WRU with integrity and professionalism.

Skills

Data visualization

Dashboard development

Python

AI-assisted development

Data storytelling

Data integration

SQL

Communication skills

Education

Data analytics qualification

Sports science background

Computer science background

Tools

Tableau

Streamlit

SQL

Job description

The Person

• Strong ability to transform complex information into simple, engaging and decision-ready visual outputs for non-technical audiences.

• Experience using AI-assisted coding and development tools to accelerate application design, visualisation, coding, prototyping and workflow automation.

• Demonstrable experience in data visualisation, dashboard development and interactive analytical applications, using Streamlit, Tableau or similar technologies.

• Practical experience using Python or similar analytical technologies to manipulate, analyse and visualise data.

• Ability to combine traditional analytical tools with modern AI development workflows to rapidly build, test and iterate user-focused products.

• Experience connecting, analysing and presenting information from multiple data sources and disciplines.

• Strong visual judgement and understanding of information design and data storytelling.

• Working knowledge of data structures, SQL or similar approaches to accessing and managing data would be advantageous.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with coaches, analysts, scientists and multidisciplinary performance practitioners.

• Ability to understand performance questions and translate them into practical analytical solutions, rather than simply reporting data.

• Experience within elite sport, player development or another high-performance environment would be advantageous but is not essential.

• Relevant qualification or equivalent practical experience in data analytics, performance analysis, sports science, computer science or a related discipline.

• Curious, creative and solutions-focused, with a willingness to experiment with new technologies and ways of working to improve the speed and quality of delivery.

• A growth mindset, commitment to continuous learning

• Ability to communicate and work through the medium of Welsh is desirable.

The Role

• Design and develop high-quality player and performance data visualisations, dashboards and interactive applications, using AI-assisted development, visualisation software and modern coding workflows to accelerate delivery and innovation.

• Translate complex player and performance data into clear, intuitive and decision-ready insight for coaches and multidisciplinary performance teams.

• Bring together data from Performance Analysis, Physical Performance, Medical, Behavioural Performance, Talent and other relevant sources to create an integrated view of player performance and development.

• Develop and maintain self-service analytical tools and applications that enable coaches and practitioners to access, explore and understand player information effectively.

• Support the development of player trajectory, national depth chart and pathway visualisations, making changes in performance, progression and opportunity visible over time.

• Produce high-quality player, positional, cohort and pathway reporting to support player reviews, development conversations and performance planning.

• Work closely with coaches and practitioners to understand performance questions and translate these into practical analytical products and visual solutions.

• Rapidly build, test and iterate new applications and analytical products, using feedback from coaches and practitioners to continually improve their usability and impact.

• Work collaboratively with data scientists and other technical specialists to translate advanced analytical work and models into accessible tools, applications and visualisations that can be used within performance environments.

• Support the development and maintenance of the Player Intelligence System, improving how multidisciplinary player information is connected, organised, visualised and communicated.

• Improve the efficiency and consistency of recurring reporting and analytical processes through automation, reusable workflows and modern development tools.

• Support strong data quality and consistency, identifying gaps or issues that could affect the reliability of performance outputs.

• Maintain awareness of emerging developments in data visualisation, application design, AI-assisted development and sports analytics, applying relevant approaches to continually improve delivery.

• Act as an outstanding ambassador for Welsh Rugby, representing the organisation with integrity, collaboration and professionalism.

• Carry out duties in support of the WRU Strategic Mission, Purpose and Values.

WRU Requirements

The WRU require that individuals are proficient in IT skills, specifically Microsoft packages. Excellent written and verbal communications are essential, along with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh and a Valid UK Driver's License is desirable. This role is subject to a basic/enhanced DBS check.

The Perks

As a permanent member of the WRU Group, you will have access to our full range of employee benefits, including:

• Salary Sacrifice Pension (5% employee contribution, matched by WRU)
• Life assurance scheme
• WRU Group Ticket Allocation (in line with ticketing policy)
• One additional paid day off (birthday leave)
• Employee assistance programme
• Team Tactics – hybrid working arrangements
• Free stadium parking and gym
• WRU Group store and tour discounts
• WRU Group partnership offers
• Eye Care Voucher Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Our Values

The WRU Group are committed to developing a culture whereby all employees are equally valued and respected. Our aims, together with our vision and mission, are underpinned by our core values and beliefs which embrace: Integrity, Excellence, Success, Courage, Family & Humour.

Inclusion At The WRU

The WRU Group are committed to building diverse, high-performing and engaged teams across Welsh Rugby. We are ambitious about providing a people first culture where everyone can belong, be heard and respected. We are happy to talk to you about our Crys I Bawb EDI Strategy (2024-2029) and you can also read more about our commitment in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.