Sports Analyst & Data Scientist

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Health and wellness benefits

Retirement savings plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a forward-thinking sports organization in Benoni, Gauteng, to recruit a Sports Analyst & Data Scientist. This role focuses on turning large sport datasets into actionable insights to drive decisions in player performance, recruitment, and fan engagement.

You will build predictive models and dashboards, collaborating with coaches and sport scientists while delivering clear, data-driven recommendations in a remote setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in a quantitative field.
• 3+ years as Data Scientist or Sports Analyst with portfolio.
• Proficient in Python or R with ML libraries.
• Experience with SQL and data visualization tools.
• Strong communication and ability to present to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Collect, clean, and preprocess large datasets from various sports-related sources.
• Perform statistical analysis and build predictive models to identify trends and insights.
• Develop and implement data visualization dashboards and reports for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with coaching staff and sports scientists to understand data needs.
• Identify KPIs and design methodologies for tracking and evaluating them.
• Research new analytical techniques and technologies in sports science.
• Contribute to player recruitment and data-driven scouting.
• Automate data collection and reporting processes where possible.
• Ensure data integrity and provide insights on data management best practices.
• Present complex analytical findings clearly to non-technical audiences.

Skills

Python

R

Machine Learning

Statistical Modeling

Experimental Design

Analytical Thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in a quantitative field

Tools

SQL

Pandas

NumPy

scikit-learn

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking sports organization based in Benoni, Gauteng , is seeking a highly analytical and technically skilled Sports Analyst & Data Scientist to join their team. This role is pivotal in leveraging data to drive strategic decision-making across various aspects of sports operations, including player performance, recruitment, and fan engagement. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization, combined with a passion for sports. This is a remote position, allowing for flexible working arrangements while contributing to significant advancements in sports analytics. You will play a key role in transforming raw data into actionable insights that shape the future of the sport in Gauteng and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Collect, clean, and preprocess large datasets from various sports-related sources.
• Perform statistical analysis and build predictive models to identify trends and insights related to player performance, game strategies, and outcomes.
• Develop and implement data visualization dashboards and reports for stakeholders, including coaches and management.
• Collaborate with coaching staff and sports scientists to understand their data needs and provide analytical support.
• Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and design methodologies for tracking and evaluating them.
• Conduct research into new analytical techniques and technologies relevant to sports science and performance.
• Contribute to player recruitment and talent identification through data-driven scouting.
• Automate data collection and reporting processes where possible.
• Ensure data integrity and provide insights on best practices for data management.
• Present complex analytical findings in a clear and concise manner to non-technical audiences.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Proven experience (3+ years) as a Data Scientist or Sports Analyst, with a portfolio of relevant projects.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn).
• Experience with SQL and database management.
• Expertise in data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Solid understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and experimental design.
• A genuine passion for sports and an understanding of sports analytics principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex information effectively.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote team environment.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, commensurate with your skills and experience, along with performance-based incentives. As a remote position, you benefit from significant flexibility and work-life balance. Comprehensive health and wellness benefits are provided, alongside a generous retirement savings plan. Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development, including attending industry conferences and workshops, are available. You will join a dynamic and innovative team, contributing to cutting-edge sports analytics from the comfort of your chosen location, impacting the sports landscape in Benoni and globally.