Data Science Director jobs in Colorado

Job Title: Senior Director of Sport and Data Science  

Department: 00035S - SOCCER - TEAM 

Business Unit: KSE

Location: Commerce City, CO

Reports To: Sporting Director

Employment Type: Full Time – Salaried – Exempt 

Supervisor Position: No

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Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) is an American Sports and Entertainment holding company based in Denver, Colorado. KSE is committed to providing world class sports and entertainment for both live and broadcast audiences. We are the employer of choice as the owner and operator of Ball Arena, DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, the Paramount Theatre, 1STBANK Center, Denver Nuggets (NBA), the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Mammoth (NLL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), KIMN,KXKL, KKSE (FM/AM), Altitude Sports & Entertainment, Major League Fishing/Fishing League Worldwide (MLFLW), Winnercomm, Outdoor Sportsman Group and SkyCam. 

The Colorado Rapids are recruiting for a Senior Director of Sport and Data Science to lead the construction of an elite performance data analytics platform for the Rapids first team with eventual integration down to the MLS Next Pro and MLS Next Academy teams. The Senior Director of Sport and Data Science will be a vital addition to the Club’s Player Health and Performance (PHP) department and will assist the PHP department in accomplishing their mission of creating a collaborative, data-informed staff committed to excellence by delivering holistic, player-centric health and performance. Although they will directly report to the Sporting Director, they will be expected to collaborate with the entire PHP department, Scouting and Front Office, while also operating under the management of the Club’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for all medical related responsibilities. 

Nature of Work:

This valued PHP team member will be tasked with creating an organized data collection process grounded in excellent data hygiene, consistent nomenclature, and the highest level of HIPPA compliance. The Senior Director of Sport and Data Science will build the data models and analytics platforms that will be used to integrate all relevant performance data into daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal reports to be used by the scouting, technical, and PHP departments to ensure player safety, the team’s ability to compete consistently, and to inform high-performance decisions. They will leverage knowledge within the sport science, data science, and data visualization fields to facilitate conversations, create insights and develop programming for players in the performance, injury prevention, medical, and return to play areas. They will lead all decisions regarding the use, maintenance, and integration of Club Athlete Management Systems while maintaining compliance with all mandates of Major League Soccer. 

Examples of Work Performed: 

Work in collaboration with the entire PHP department, reporting to the Sporting Director while maintaining medical compliance under the supervision of the CMO: 

• Build out Club wide AMS (Smartabase) and educate key Club stakeholders on utilization of AMS. 
• Integrate all incoming sport science, health and wellness, match analytics, and relevant scouting data streams. 
• Manage all in-training/game tracking and wellness data streams.
• Develop reporting structures around data through a highly organized data collection process. 
• Collaborate with all PHP staff in providing the data necessary for performance and medical staff to individualize training protocols. 
• Assist with the education and counseling of players regarding strategies to improve performance. 
• Provide analysis of player performance testing, training, and match monitoring, against team specific metrics to allow PHP Directors to course correct player care. 
• Design, modify and apply assessment protocols and methods to analyze the demands of the teams playing style and the capabilities of each player to meet the playing style demands. 
• Provide feedback to players and staff regarding all sports science data collected. 
• Support all PHP staff with rehab sessions when required. 
• Attend team/staff meetings. 
• Participate in activities/meetings/programs as required by MLS. 
• Comply with all MLS Medical Manual and policies and procedures. 
• Document in the League Electronic Medical Record system. 

This description is a summary only and is describing the general level of work being performed, it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business needs. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority. 

Qualifications / Requirements: 

• Minimum: Master’s degree or higher in Sports Science, Data Science or a related field. 
• Knowledge of, and experience in, utilizing sports science technologies (e.g. GPS, Optical Tracking, Internal Load Monitoring, Physiologic Testing, Strength/Power testing equipment, and current Athlete Monitoring System (AMS) platforms). 
• Must have a proficient understanding of global football and the way playing style creates unique changes in the demands placed on the player.
• The candidate must speak several data languages and possess surgical precision in writing data code and creating data applications. 
• Must be an expert in all major data languages (SQL, R, Python, Shiny Apps, Tableau, Power BI, Excel, etc ….). 
• Must be skilled in building models and platforms that can create the answers to the club’s performance questions. 
• High level of comfort with all major AMS systems (Kitman Labs, Smartabase, etc.). 
• Highly knowledgeable in data security.
• Certified Performance Sports Scientist (CPSS) certification by NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association).
• HIPAA compliant Course and Health Information Certification. 
• GDPR compliance certificate, or US equivalent, is recommended.
• Recommended courses: HIPAA Associates: HIPAA Training for Health Information Management or HIPAATraining.com Training for Individuals - Healthcare Providers Awareness and Security Courses.
• CPR and AED certified. 

Experience 

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a sports environment, preferably with soccer, at an elite level (collegiate, professional, Olympic).  
• Highly inclusive and collaborative, the ideal candidate must be able to recognize and maximize diverse skillsets within the team and have the confidence to challenge those around them to strive for standards of excellence. 
• History of being a great communicator who can create alignment around a department philosophy, with the utmost regard for accountability, ownership and commitment to open dialogue with all PHP members. Must be a practitioner who can message the PHP department’s Vision, Mission and Values through their actions and words. 
• History of understanding and thriving under the tempo of an elite high-performance environment (elite sport preferred, soccer preferred, MLS preferred but not required). 

Compensation:

• Base salary/hourly range $115,000.00-$130,000.00 per annum

Benefits Include: 

• 12 Paid Company Holidays
• Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long-term Disability
• Health Savings Account (HSA) 
• Flexible Spending plans (FSAs) 
• 401K/Employer Match

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Typical Office Conditions
• Lift 50 lbs. daily
• Work in extreme weather conditions

All applicants for employment at KSE may be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment may be required to produce proof of vaccination status prior to their first day of employment. Applicants with qualifying disabilities or bona fide religious objections, or who are pregnant, may be exempted from this requirement or otherwise accommodated if they are unable to be vaccinated.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.