Basketball Data Scientist

Utah Jazz; Salt Lake City (UT); Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City is seeking a Data Scientist to build and maintain models that inform basketball decisions. Remote candidates are welcome, with a focus on delivering analytics that impact operations across scouting, coaching, analytics, and sports science.

You will develop predictive models, perform ad hoc analyses, and collaborate with multiple departments to translate data into actionable insights while adhering to coding standards and best practices.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience analyzing data and training statistical models in a production environment using Python or R.
• 2+ years of experience with basketball data and the latest basketball analytics techniques
• 2+ years of experience with data visualization
• Expertise in statistics fundamentals and state-of-the-art predictive modeling techniques
• A desire to work in a startup-like environment where you will be empowered to make design decisions
• A track record of writing clean and well-documented code
• Bachelor’s in statistics, data science, math or equivalent experience
• Enthusiasm for basketball
• Nice to have experience with MLOps
• Nice to have experience with SQL
• Nice to have experience with data engineering

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain models to better predict basketball outcomes and facilitate better decision-making across Basketball Operations.
• Perform ad hoc data analysis as necessary to help basketball decision-makers.
• Interface with all departments within Basketball Operations (scouting, coaching, analytics, sports science) and strive to understand and meet their needs.
• Identify, research, and implement opportunities for new models, data sources, and basketball analytics techniques.
• Help maintain and test datasets used to perform analysis.
• Maintain best practices for software development including test writing, documentation, and adherence to and improvement of coding standards.
• Protect the reputation of the company.
• Exemplify the Utah Jazz mission and values: transparent, all in, community obsessed, one team, and scrappy.
• Accept other duties, as assigned.

Skills

Data analysis

Statistical modeling

Communication

Startup mindset

Education

Bachelor’s in statistics/data science/math

Tools

Python

R

SQL

Power BI

Job description

Job Type

Full-time

Job Summary

The Utah Jazz are looking for a Data Scientist to perform modeling and analysis that will help inform basketball decision-making.

We are located in Salt Lake City, but are open to remote candidates.

Duties & Responsibilities

Develop and maintain models to better predict basketball outcomes and facilitate better decision-making across Basketball Operations.

• Perform ad hoc data analysis as necessary to help basketball decision-makers.
• Interface with all departments within Basketball Operations (scouting, coaching, analytics, sports science) and strive to understand and meet their needs.
• Identify, research, and implement opportunities for new models, data sources, and basketball analytics techniques.
• Help maintain and test datasets used to perform analysis.
• Maintain best practices for software development including test writing, documentation, and adherence to and improvement of coding standards.
• Protect the reputation of the company.
• Exemplify the Utah Jazz mission and values: transparent, all in, community obsessed, one team, and scrappy.
• Accept other duties, as assigned.

Competencies

Communicates Effectively – Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

• Demonstrates Self Awareness – Uses a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses.

Qualifications

2+ years of experience analyzing data and training statistical models in a production environment using Python or R

• 2+ years of experience with basketball data and the latest basketball analytics techniques
• 2+ years of experience with data visualization
• Expertise in statistics fundamentals and state-of-the-art predictive modeling techniques
• A desire to work in a startup-like environment where you will be empowered to make design decisions
• A track record of writing clean and well-documented code
• Bachelor’s in statistics, data science, math or equivalent experience
• Enthusiasm for basketball
• Nice to have experience with MLOps
• Nice to have experience with SQL
• Nice to have experience with data engineering

Physical Demands

This person must be able to communicate and express themselves both written and verbally.

• This person must be able to observe, inspect, estimate, and assess.
• This person must be able to sit for long periods of time.

The Utah Jazz provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Note: The need may arise to revise, supplement, or rescind portions of this job description, and Utah Jazz reserves the right to do so at any time. Employees shall be required to meet the qualifications and perform the duties of any revised job description.