Data Scientist

Job Description

THE AGENCY

CAA Sports UK is a division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA). CAA is the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, London and Beijing. Founded in 1975, CAA represents many of the most successful professionals working in film, television, music, theatre, video games, sport, and digital content, and provides a range of strategic marketing and consulting services to corporate clients.

CAA Base is the agency for professional footballers dedicated to the ongoing development and management of their careers. Established in 1997, with its Head Office in London and supported by consultant offices throughout Europe, South America, Australasia and North America, CAA Base’s extensive network provides maximum opportunity for its clients’ movement and onward careers. 

OVERVIEW:

CAA Base are recruiting for a Data Scientist to enhance the agency’s use of advanced performance data. Reporting into the Player ID & Data Insights Manager, this role will lead the architecture of multiple sources of raw data and further develop existing predictive modelling and data visualisation. This will enhance the automation and delivery of accurate insights and guidance to be applied by agents, recruitment analysts, and operations staff, primarily in the identification, recruitment and retention of elite football players and managers/coaches.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Using data to derive accurate insights on professional football players, managers/coaches, and team tactical systems, continually optimizing the modelling processes

• Handling APIs, managing databases, handling large data sets, statistical modelling, and data visualisation

• Enhancing processes to automate the data-driven identification of prospective clients

• Applying insights to project player development trajectories, assisting in the development of clients, adding evidence to contract negotiation processes

• Assisting in recruitment process, working with the Design & Analysis team internally to optimally leverage data insights within presentations

• Building and developing relationships with data scientists working in clubs

• Developing close working relationships with key stakeholders across the agency, including the wider CAA Data Team

• Staying aware of the latest developments and research within the ‘football analytics’ industry

ESSENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• An excellent academic record, qualified to degree level within a quantitative/STEM discipline (e.g. Statistics, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science etc.)

• A track record in handling APIs, managing databases, handling large data sets, statistical modelling, and data visualisation, being proficient with programming languages (preferably Python)

• A critical thinker with a flair for interrogating and synthesizing insights to derive solutions from sometimes incomplete and disparate datasets, with an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of various quantitative and qualitative research methodologies

• A proactive, structured and detailed approach to problem solving, being comfortable working across multiple projects simultaneously to sometimes tight deadlines

• Excellent organisational skills

• Ability to prioritise workload

• Good verbal and written communication skills

• A passion for the rigorous analysis of football and data-driven decision making

• Proven and demonstrable experience building relationships and dealing with sensitive situations with confidentiality and discretion

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge of the ‘football analytics’ landscape, which may include experience of working with performance data products (e.g. Wyscout, Skillcorner, StatsBomb)

• Experience using data to analyse football – players, tactical frameworks, coaches etc

• Experience working as a data scientist/similar quantitative role

• Having worked within a professional sports organisation as an analyst/data scientist, although a keen interest and transferable skills may go further

• Experience as a football player or coach

• Experience presenting insights to non-technical audiences

Please ensure you provide complete and legible information in your application. An incomplete application may affect your consideration for employment.

Creative Artists Agency (“CAA”) is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and creating a workplace culture in which diversity and inclusion is valued and everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As part of our zero-tolerance approach to discrimination in any form, you and any job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, or any other legally recognised protected basis under UK law.

Please inform CAA’s Recruitment Department if you need any assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

CAA does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless they were contractually engaged by CAA to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any such employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the acknowledgement and agreement that CAA will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.