Senior Data Scientist

WHO WE ARE:

Founded by Josh Harris and David Blitzer, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) includes in its portfolio the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Devils, leading venue Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., the Delaware Blue Coats, and the Utica Comets. Led by some of the best and brightest minds across a diverse spectrum of industries, HBSE positions itself as one of the most pioneering, innovative global sports and entertainment businesses to date. HBSE also strives to positively impact the local communities in which it operates through the powerful platform of sports.

HBSE offers an energetic work environment built on collaboration, growth, and a quest to excel in everything we do. Prudential Center in downtown Newark, N.J. hosts more than 175 concerts, family shows and special events annually and is the fourth-ranked sports and entertainment venue in the U.S. by Pollstar and Billboard. It is home to the New Jersey Devils, a renowned NHL franchise with three Stanley Cup championships and a proud, passionate fan base.

The Philadelphia 76ers organization is one of the most storied franchises in American sports, led by some of the best and brightest minds across a diverse spectrum of industries, HBSE positions itself as one of the most pioneering, innovative global sports and entertainment businesses to date. The 76ers have attracted the industry’s top leadership talent from the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS, UFC and NCAA, resulting in one of the most exciting, rewarding, and dynamic work environments within the sports industry. The 76ers offer a best-in-class workplace culture built on collaboration, growth, and a quest to excel in everything we do.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

At HBSE, we engage, represent and reflect diverse voices of employees, players fans and communities. We are dedicated to hiring the best talent that is reflective of where we live, work and play - across all groups and levels; supporting and developing every employee to reach their potential; and creating an inclusive environment that allows team members to bring their true authentic selves to work.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Senior Data Scientist will work in the New Jersey Devils front office, supporting hockey decision-making at all levels: front office, coaching, and scouting. A successful applicant will have a strong technical foundation and be passionate about better understanding the game of hockey. This role will be primarily focused on building and maintaining the key statistical and machine learning models that help us make decisions within the broader Hockey Operations organization.

The Devils’ Analytics team is responsible for leveraging multiple large and complex data sets. The Senior Data Scientist will possess a strong technical foundation in programming - Engineering, Computer Science, or Mathematics backgrounds are favored. Our tight-knit front office team relies on exceptional individuals who can contribute to multiple areas. These individuals thrive in a critical, challenging, dynamic environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE BELOW:

• Develop, maintain, and monitor models to accurately evaluate and forecast player and team performance.
• Research, evaluation, and integration of new data sources and technologies that expand the capabilities of the organization.
• Independently identify opportunities to impact organizational decision-making through data-driven research.
• Work with stakeholders across hockey operations to apply the results of data-driven research.
  
  
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in technical discipline (computer science, engineering, mathematics/statistics, etc.) or equivalent work experience.
• Fluency in R or Python, particularly with relevant data processing and modeling libraries.
• Experience developing complex queries in SQL and working with large datasets.
• Experience with the end-to-end process of developing and implementing machine learning and statistical models.
• Demonstrated passion for hockey and familiarity with hockey rules and terminology. Prior work with hockey event data or tracking data is a plus.
• Strong technical communication skills, including the ability to clearly translate technical findings to non-technical audiences.
• A critical thinker, eager to both give and receive feedback.
• Focused on team results not individual accomplishment.
  
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5 years of experience in a research-oriented position, responsible for conducting novel research on a technical topic. Experience working as a Data Scientist in player operations is a plus.
• Passion for Sports and Entertainment experience in the athletic space.
• Diverse projects and experience in multiple business functions.
  
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Travel Requirements: May be required to travel on rare occasions (<5% travel)

Work Environment: This position generally requires that work be performed from the Prudential Center/New Jersey Devils offices.

OUR BENEFITS:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Flexible Spending Accounts (all LGBT friendly)
• Pretax Transportation Benefit
• Generous parental leave policies
• 401K (100% up to 5% is matched, after 1 year of service)
• Unlimited Paid Time Off
• 13 Paid Holidays
• ½ Day Summer Fridays
• Complimentary or Discounted Sports & Concert Tickets
• On Site Fitness Rooms
• Other League & Partner Discounts
  
  
  

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.