Head of Sports Analytics

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary package

Fully remote with flexible hours

Professional development budget

Work with elite athletes

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Head of Sports Analytics to lead data-driven performance initiatives. This fully remote role will define KPIs, build a world-class analytics team, and translate complex data into actionable strategies for coaches and management.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in sports analytics, strong leadership, and expertise in statistical modeling, ML, Python, R, SQL, and data visualization tools. Join a top-tier sports organization and drive strategic insights.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in statistics, data science, sports science, CS, or related quantitative field.
• 7+ years in sports analytics with leadership experience.
• Deep understanding of statistical modeling, ML, and data mining.
• Proficiency in Python, R, SQL and data viz tools.
• Ability to translate data into clear insights for stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, communication, and PM skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of advanced statistical models for performance evaluation.
• Mentor and manage a team of sports analysts.
• Collaborate with coaches, scientists, and performance directors to identify insights.
• Oversee collection, cleaning, and interpretation of large datasets.
• Develop dashboards and visualizations to communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of trends in sports analytics and data science.

Skills

Leadership

Statistical Modeling

Machine Learning

Python

R

SQL

Tableau

Power BI

Stakeholder comms

Education

Master's/PhD in Statistics/Data Science

Tools

Python

R

SQL

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an exceptional and visionary Head of Sports Analytics to lead their data-driven performance initiatives. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to leverage cutting-edge analytical techniques to provide deep insights into athletic performance, strategy, and player development from anywhere in the world. You will be responsible for building and managing a world-class analytics team, defining key performance indicators, and translating complex data into actionable strategies for coaches, athletes, and management. This role is pivotal in harnessing the power of data to gain a competitive edge in the fast-paced world of professional sports.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of advanced statistical models and analytical frameworks for performance evaluation.
• Manage and mentor a team of sports analysts, fostering a culture of data integrity and innovation.
• Collaborate closely with coaching staff, sports scientists, and performance directors to identify key insights and strategic recommendations.
• Oversee the collection, cleaning, and interpretation of large datasets from various performance tracking systems.
• Develop dashboards and visualizations to effectively communicate complex analytical findings to non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies in sports analytics and data science.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Statistics, Data Science, Sports Science, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Extensive experience (7+ years) in sports analytics, with a proven track record of leading teams and projects.
• Deep understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning, and data mining techniques.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Python, R, SQL, and data visualization software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Exceptional ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and executive-level benefits package.
• Fully remote work environment with flexible working hours.
• Generous professional development budget and access to cutting-edge technology.
• Opportunity to work with elite athletes and top-tier sports organizations.
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating remote team culture.