Data Scientist

Sheffield United Football Club; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A professional football club in Sheffield is seeking a Data Scientist to support performance and strategy through data-driven insights. The successful candidate will analyze football data, develop machine learning models, and work with leading data providers. Essential skills include Python and machine learning experience. The position offers a comprehensive pay package and is full-time, on-site at the club's Bramall Lane location.

Qualifications

• Strong experience with Python (pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn).
• Hands-on knowledge of machine learning techniques.
• Proficiency in SQL for data extraction and transformation.

Responsibilities

• Analyse and model football data to support decision-making.
• Develop and apply machine learning methods.
• Design dashboards and visual tools for stakeholders.

Skills

Python

Machine Learning

SQL

Data Visualization

Education

Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Streamlit

Job description

Overview

Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 35 Hours per week

Location: Bramall Lane, Sheffield

Line Manager: Data Manager

Salary: Up to £45,000

Post Reference: BL092025-PDS

Sheffield United FC are looking for a Data Scientist with a strong analytical mindset and a passion for football. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping data-driven decision-making across the club - working with modern football data sources, building machine learning models, and delivering insights that directly support performance and strategy on the football side.

Role Responsibilities

• Analyse and model football data to support decision-making across performance, recruitment, and opposition analysis
• Develop and apply machine learning methods to uncover insights from a wide variety of leagues and competitions
• Work with leading football data providers such as Opta, SkillCorner, and Driblab
• Design dashboards and visual tools that make complex data accessible for coaches, analysts, and recruitment staff
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders, influencing football strategy and operations
• Ensure data accuracy, consistency, and quality across reporting outputs and data pipelines
• Automate recurring analytical workflows to improve efficiency and consistency across the department
• Champion the use and value of data-informed insights throughout the business
• Any other reasonable requests as required by management

Club Wide Responsibilities

• Adhere to all Sheffield United Football Club's Safeguarding Policies and Procedures to foster an environment which protects from harm those defined as children and adults at risk.
• Report any concerns of a Safeguarding nature to the relevant parties and remain fully compliant with any applicable Safeguarding checks and due diligence and recognise your responsibility to the Club's Safeguarding agenda.
• Report any concerns of discrimination to the relevant parties and promote a welcoming and inclusive club environment for all.
• Adhere to the Club's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies, supporting the Club to create an environment which is inclusive and all-encompassing.

Essential Criteria for the Role

• Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field - or equivalent industry experience demonstrating strong analytical and computational skills
• Strong experience with Python (pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn)
• Hands-on knowledge of machine learning techniques, including supervised, unsupervised, and semi-supervised learning
• Proficiency in SQL for data extraction and transformation
• Experience building clear and engaging data visualisations using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or Streamlit
• Familiarity with football data sources, with demonstrable experience working with both event and tracking data

Desirable Criteria for the Role

• Understanding of version control systems (e.g. Git)
• Ability to present and explain data-driven insights to non-technical stakeholders in a clear and impactful way
• Experience with MLOps tools and workflows for model deployment, monitoring, and versioning

Application Process

Please download and save the application form before inputting information. If you require a paper copy please contact the HR department at [e-mail] or call 01142537200.

Completed application forms must be submitted via email to [e-mail] stating the vacancy title in the subject or posted to HR, Sheffield United Football Club, Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S24 SU.

Closing Date: Monday 29th September 2025

Please note that in the instance of high volumes of applications we may close this vacancy earlier than the closing date noted above.

Eligibility and Equality

Eligibility for Employment in the UK
In accordance with current legislative requirements the successful applicant must produce documentary verification of their eligibility to work in the UK and will not be allowed to start work until this has been received.

Equality and Diversity
Sheffield United FC is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment and its employment policies for recruitment, selection, training, development and promotion are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, disability or gender reassignment.

Sheffield United FC is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. If you would like further information regarding the scheme and how we are able to support disabled persons within the workplace, please contact our HR team at [e-mail]

Safer Recruitment
Sheffield United FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. The successful applicant will be required to undertake appropriate safeguarding checks as well as providing proof of right to work in the UK. For further information on the Club's Safeguarding Statement please access the following link: suf c.co.uk/club/policies/safeguarding-policy