Football Sports Performance Data Analyst

Comunidad Lift; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 51,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition benefits

Paid vacation and holidays

Wellness programs

Job summary

Northwestern University is seeking a Football Sports Performance Data Analyst to collect, manage, and analyze athlete-monitoring data generated during practices, workouts, and testing. This role operates Catapult wearable tech and reports on training load, readiness, and return-to-play status.

The position involves collaborating with football and sports performance staff, handling weight room data tools, and supporting in-practice data tracking with a strong emphasis on data integrity and clear

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• Experience collecting, organizing, and analyzing data from athlete-monitoring or wearable technology systems.

Responsibilities

• Collect on-field data during practices and workouts using Catapult wearable technology and manage Catapult system operations.
• Analyze player data from Catapult wearables to provide clear reports on loads for coaching and performance staff.
• Organize data from weight room tools (GymAware, NordBord, ForceFrames, force plates) to monitor fatigue.
• Conduct studies to understand loads and demands of practices and workouts.
• Support return-to-play decisions with tangible data analyses for sports medicine staff.
• Analyze and monitor practice load to align with planned intensity.
• Produce and distribute daily Catapult reports and weekly weight room tracking analyses.
• Adhere to department/university policies and required trainings.

Skills

Data analysis

Excel

Written/verbal communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Science, Data Analytics, or related field

Tools

Catapult

GymAware

NordBord

ForceFrames

Force plates

Job description

Department: Univ Athletics-Condition Ctr

Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Target hiring range for this position will be between $51,350- $53,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Job Summary

The Football Sports Performance Data Analyst supports the Football Sports Performance staff by collecting, managing, and analyzing athlete-monitoring data generated during practices, workouts, and testing. This position does not provide direct strength and conditioning coaching to individual student-athletes. Instead, it operates the department’s wearable and weight room technology systems and turns that data into clear, actionable reports that inform the football coaching staff, sports performance staff, and sports medicine staff on training load, player readiness, and return-to-play status.

• Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

*Willingness and ability to work a non-traditional schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays as required. *

Specific Responsibilities

• Collect on-field data on student-athletes during practices and workouts using Catapult wearable technology, and manage day-to-day operations of the Catapult system.
• Organize and analyze player data from Catapult wearables to provide football coaching staff and sports performance staff with clear, digestible reports on practice and workout loads.
• Organize player data from weight room tracking tools, including GymAware, NordBord, ForceFrames, and force plates, to assist in tracking in-season and off-season player fatigue.
• Conduct studies for football coaching staff, sports performance staff, and the football high-performance team to build a better understanding of the loads and demands of practices and workouts.
• Aid the football return-to-play process by providing football sports performance staff and sports medicine staff with tangible data analysis on athletes returning to play.
• Conduct studies for the Head Football Coach and Director of Football Sports Performance to analyze and monitor practice load and ensure it aligns with planned practice intensity.
• Produce and distribute daily Catapult practice and game reports and weekly weight room tracking data analysis reports, and provide daily support for in-practice player data tracking and other data-related support as reasonably determined.
• Responsible for adhering to all Department and University continuing education initiatives and required certifications and trainings.
• Responsible for adhering to all Department and University policies and procedures, as well as the rules, regulations, bylaws and interpretations of the Big Ten Conference, CSC and the NCAA.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Science, Data Analytics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience collecting, organizing, and analyzing data from athlete-monitoring or wearable technology systems (e.g., GPS/IMU-based systems such as Catapult).
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and effectively interact and establish engaging relationships with a wide variety of constituents.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and written/verbal communication skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel or other data management and visualization tools.

Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• Knowledge of rules and regulations of the NCAA, CSC, Big Ten Conference and Northwestern University preferred
• Master’s degree in Exercise Science, Sports Science, Data Analytics, or a related field.
• Experience working with Catapult, GymAware, NordBord, ForceFrames, force plates, or comparable athlete-monitoring technology in a collegiate or professional football setting.
• Experience working within a football or Olympic sports high-performance/sports science department.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life And Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.