Lead Data Scientist at Tottenham Hotspur Fc
Job Description
Tottenham Hotspur are seeking a Lead Data Scientist to lead the development of advanced statistical models, machine learning techniques, and innovative football analytics that support decision-making across scouting, recruitment, performance analysis, coaching, and academy operations.
Working within the club’s Football Insights department, the successful candidate will help drive the club’s mission to understand football better than its rivals and turn that understanding into decisions that win matches and trophies.
Lead Data Scientist
⚽ Key Responsibilities
- Develop advanced statistical and machine learning models to generate innovative football metrics and insights
- Design and manage the full modelling lifecycle from data collection to deployment and automation
- Conduct research projects addressing key football performance and recruitment questions
- Explore new methodologies and push the boundaries of football analytics research
- Work closely with analysts across scouting, recruitment, coaching, performance, and academy departments
- Translate complex research into practical football applications and decision-making tools
- Collaborate with Data Engineers to evolve and optimise the club’s analytics infrastructure
- Convert technical and tactical football concepts into measurable performance indicators
- Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders across the football department
- Uphold technical best practices and coding standards
- Mentor colleagues and support development of programming and analytical capabilities
- Lead innovative projects that provide competitive advantages on and off the pitch
Essential Requirements
- Master's degree or higher in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative discipline
- Significant experience as a Data Scientist or related research-focused role
- Expertise in statistical modelling and machine learning techniques
- Advanced Python and/or R programming skills
- Strong SQL and database development experience
- Experience working with cloud computing environments (ideally GCP)
- Experience using machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch
- Understanding of CI/CD practices and software development workflows
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Demonstrated record of innovative research within sport, academia, or industry
⭐ Desirable
- Experience with data architecture, ETL pipelines, and scalable data systems
- Familiarity with DuckDB, Polars, Apache Spark, or similar big data technologies
- Experience collaborating with First Team stakeholders in professional sport environments
Personal Attributes
- Curious, inventive, and research-driven
- Passionate about football and elite sport
- Resilient and adaptable in high-performance environments
- Strong project management and organisational skills
- Ability to balance scientific rigour with practical football outcomes
- Impact-focused with a desire to help the club win matches and trophies
An outstanding opportunity to lead cutting-edge football analytics research at one of the Premier League’s leading clubs and directly influence football decision-making across the organisation.