Manager, Soccer Analytics & Data Science

Overview

Major League Soccer’s Business Insights & Analytics is a centralized analytics function, supporting the league by aligning long and short-term strategy with data and providing impactful data driven insights, analysis, and recommendations. 

The group is seeking a Manager tasked with supporting MLS Competition, Player Relations, and Medical Departments with insights and analytics that drive strategic decision making.  The new hire will develop and oversee reporting and analytics on player and club performance, and work on large-scale projects such as, measuring the impact of rule changes to the competition, evaluate League roster initiatives, and monitor changes to the on-field play. The hire will report into the Director of Soccer Analytics & Data Science and is highly curious, motivated, and analytical, while also able to distill clarity from complexity, with an entrepreneurial desire to innovate.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Competition, Player Relations, and Medical Departments to understand short and long-term objectives and support their initiatives with reporting and insights relating to the spotting product.
• Support team members with regular dashboards and reporting while managing multiple longer-term data and analytics projects.
• Leverage advanced data analytics and statistics, translating both event and tracking data into meaningful information that is simple for partners to understand and can be used effectively in business decision making.
• Use data to evaluate the effectiveness of roster rules by tracking the initiatives through on-field performance, salary, and transfer values.
• Assess the impact of rule changes and provide recommendations on future implementation for senior stakeholders.
• Effectively communicate and socialize actionable results and findings throughout the organization in a simple and intuitive narrative format.
• Partner with technology team to continually integrate the tools, methods, and processes supporting analysis.
• Support the team and enterprise with additional responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science, Math, Statistics, Economics, Computer Science, or similar domain.
• 5 years of experience, with 4 years of experience in a quantitative analysis role preferably in soccer or sports.
• Excellent understanding of soccer tactics, games management, and roster construction.
• Tangible experience with Event and Tracking data, preferably in soccer.

Required Skills

• Proven track record of deriving insights from large data sources and presenting them in a clear and concise narrative form.
• Excellence in query language (SQL) and programming languages (Python).
• Excellent in Excel
• Adept in a BI tool (Power BI, Tableau) and PowerPoint
• High-level dedication to a quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity, and compliance.
• Superior organization, project management skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced, team environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and written.
• Possess effective decision-making skills with a solutions focused mentality.

Desired Skills

• Experience working in the sports industry.

Total Rewards

Starting Base Salary: $90,000 – $110,000 MLS/SUM base salaries are contingent upon several factors including individual qualifications, market financials, and operational business needs.

We are committed to providing a Total Rewards package that attracts, supports, engages, and retains talent through the following:

• Benefits – comprehensive and competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits, as well as a suite of programs to promote well-being including a $500 Wellness Reimbursement. A generous PTO offering, and hybrid Office/Remote Work Schedule are also offered to promote Work-Life balance.
• Career & Professional Development – on the job training, feedback, and on-going educational opportunities to continue your personal and professional development.
• Employee Engagement – office perks, discounts and employee events that go “beyond the traditional paycheck” to make you feel a part of our team and inspire you to elevate the Game!

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

Salary : $90,000 - $110,000