Player Insights Research Lead

Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation through Winning England Teams.

The Football Association [The FA] is the not-for-profit governing body of football in England. It is responsible for promoting and developing every level of the game, from grassroots through to the professional game, and generates significant revenue to support investment into English football each year.

The FA oversees England international teams across men's, women's, youth and disability football, as well as running the National League System and FA Competitions including the Emirates FA Cup, Barclays FA Women's Super League, FA Women's Championship, and Vitality Women's FA Cup, and the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park, all with a purpose to Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation.

To deliver against our goal we have reallocated resources and invested heavily in developing a team of exceptional people capable of creating winning England teams at our world-class training facilities at our National Football Centre, St. George's Park.

This is a unique and exciting time to join The FA and the Technical Team will be integral to the organisation achieving its goals.

90 minutes to change our world

Role Description

Undertake thorough investigations of our England Pathway, and Pathway players to drive data-informed and evidence-based decision making within the Technical Directorate. The post holder will drive key research projects relating to Potential, and the key experiences of International Players.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead on analysis projects aiming to continually learn about the key experiences and attributes of prospective and established England players, producing compelling insightful reports to inform the FA and external stakeholders, including the analysis of future volumes of the England Player Book.
• Undertake research into performance data and talent reporter observations, to enhance our understanding of indicators of potential.
• Ensure that the Player Insights department, and the directorate more broadly, are up to date with current (and future) thinking around Optimal Development Environments.
• Lead on the design and delivery of key research projects which provide insights in to the talent identification process.
• Execute research relating to major tournaments, to gain an understanding of the journeys of international players.
• Develop a bank of educational resources to be shared across the England pathway programmes and to inform activity in the FA Education department.
• Effectively communicate Player Insights Research updates to coaches and the wider Technical Directorate to inform decision making across the Pathway.
• Execute additional tasks as required in order to meet FA Group changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing can be maintained.

What we are looking for

Essential

• A Postgraduate Qualification in Sports and Exercise Science, or related discipline.
• Extensive experience of research project management.
• Ability to assimilate and interpret data to answer performance questions.
• Proven ability to generate impactful reports suitable for multiple audiences.
• Experience of working in an elite sporting environment.
• Advanced communication skills with the ability to communicate to various audiences.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines within a dynamic environment.
• Experience of working with sports performance related data.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments.
• Has strong organisational skills.

Desirable

• Experience in using data visualisation software, such as Tableau (or similar).
• Knowledge of football and the requirements of international football.
• Creative presentation skills and experience of creating and delivering engaging workshops/presentations.

What we can offer you

• An exciting and challenging role within a changing, dynamic and world-renowned sports organisation.
• Attractive benefits and a competitive salary.

Please be aware that unless you are contractually homebased, your contract with The FA will specify a fixed location of either Wembley Stadium, St. George's Park or our Processing Centre.

We currently work within a hybrid working model whereby the expectation is to work from your contractual location for part of the week, and as and when required by the team. The remaining days can be worked remotely. We will continue to monitor this model and it may be adjusted in future if deemed necessary.

The Football Association Group promotes inclusion and diversity, and welcomes applications from everyone. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process please mention this in your application.