Job Posting – Data Scientist

The Oklahoma City Thunder is an elite performance organization and a leading franchise in the NBA. Beyond any single game, season, or outcome, we are driven to shape the future of our industry, our community and our own legacy in sports. So, we’re looking for people who want to make an impact–individuals with the courage and ambition to think and work different and an endless desire to push for progress. At the Thunder, you’re joining a culture that performs at the highest level and empowers you to realize your greatest potential.

As a Data Scientist, you will play a meaningful role to uncover valuable insights that help shape the organization’s future—influencing strategic planning, evaluation, team performance and player development to create the optimal conditions for talent to thrive.

Working with colleagues, you will use data to conduct rigorous research, bring insights to life, and advocate for data-driven insights in the decision-making process.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Perform statistical analyses, predictive modeling, and data visualization to provide insight and foresight into player and team performance, on-court tactics, player development, and team-building strategies.
  • Conduct ad-hoc, targeted research to support a wide range of decision-making opportunities, including in-game tactics, player development, and roster building strategies.
  • Implement end-to-end pipelines for key research findings, including ETL, databasing, data wrangling, modeling, workflow integration, and production reporting.
  • Develop impactful reporting systems, web applications, white papers, and other tools to convey research insights to a diverse range of stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in quantitative field like statistics, economics, operations research, data science, etc. and 1+ years of applied experience or Master’s/PhD in a related field
  • Expertise using open-source programming languages for data analysis and preparation (R including tidyverse required; Python and SQL a plus)
  • Expertise in exploratory analysis, feature engineering, model specification, model validation, and production model implementation. Understanding of both traditional statistics and machine learning methods
  • Experience in data visualization, reporting, and web development a plus (e.g. ggplot2, plotly, R markdown, Jupyter notebook, Shiny, html, JavaScript, CSS)
  • Strong communication skills—ability to deliver clear and effective messages to a variety of stakeholders
  • Experience working in a sports environment and knowledge/understanding of basketball is a plus
  • This is a full-time, exempt position located in Oklahoma City reporting into the Insight & Foresight pillar.

Additional details:

We offer a positive office environment and a robust benefits package including excellent medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k with matching funds, paid downtown parking, tuition reimbursement, employee ticket options, family gym membership subsidy, parental leave, team shop discount, and more!

We invite you to apply online here.

At the Oklahoma City Thunder and Oklahoma City Blue we value diversity, equity and inclusion, and we know that teams with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills make a stronger company! As an Equal Opportunity Employer we consider applicants fairly on the basis of qualifications, experience and business needs and provide equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other legally protected status. We also consider applicants regardless of past legal system involvement, considering the needs of the role, nature of and recency of legal history. We are committed to a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees through our culture of RAVE – Respect and Value Everyone.

FOR THOSE UP TO THE CHALLENGE, LET’S TALK.