Senior Data Scientist - Betting Services

Job DescriptionAbout: Ellipse Data has established itself as the market leader in the collection, analysis and dissemination of data across the world’s most popular sports. With the largest and most sophisticated databases in world sport, this creates unique opportunities for the company to provide world-leading services to the betting industry.The company works across several sports verticals servicing channels including Betting, Fantasy and Gaming; Broadcast; Digital Media and Performance Analysis. The current market position of our dedicated sports verticals creates a wealth of growth opportunities and the business is now looking to scale rapidly to capitalise on this potential.Role Overview:Ellipse Data has identified a significant opportunity to use the data that it collects, analyses and stores to drive greater value in the sports betting space across all of its key verticals. We are further expanding our data science team to translate that data into more betting-quality, market-leading pricing models and products which can deliver a step change in revenue and productisation.Ellipse Data is therefore looking to appoint a Senior Data Scientist - Betting Services, who will play a key role in the growth of the business, with a particular focus on the continued development of our pricing (odds-modelling) strategy, as we continue to scale up our capability.This role will work across our sports verticals, reporting to the Managing Director, Betting Services and focus specifically on the production of new and unique betting-quality odds models. However, the focus will be commercially led and dynamic, therefore the successful candidate will need to build strong relationships across the wider Ellipse group including our MDs within our sport verticals as well as the Director of Data Science, in order to ensure that Betting Services are developing and delivering a data science strategy which is consistent with the wider strategy of the Ellipse Group.Key Responsibilities:Play a key role in our data science team within betting services, which supports the company’s mission to be the world leader in maximising the value of sports data. Develop mathematical and statistical models that will price the core and derivative markets of our key sports, taking advantage of deep and highly-granular sports data, including tracking and GPS data. Work closely with the MD, Betting Services and the leads across our key verticals to understand the market opportunities and deliver a solution to best exploit the commercial betting services strategy. Work closely with the MD to secure buy in for the strategy at every level of the organisation.Ensure that Ellipse has a Data Science approach that is consistent with the company’s vision to be a universally respected leader in sports betting services, delivering best-in-class solutions and becoming a key destination for world-class talent.Lead the development and improvement of new and existing models and products which puts Ellipse at the forefront of innovation in the betting services space. These products should offer clear differentiation in the market – reflecting the unique depth of Ellipse’s databases, expertise and proprietary metrics – and be aligned to the market need in order to secure deep, long-term partnerships with the key players in the sports betting industry. Working with the Director of Data Science, Ellipse, ensure that all data science work is undertaken in a way which is consistent with industry best practice. This should include the adoption of appropriate techniques for model development, model assurance and model documentation, as well as best in class project management approaches to ensure that projects are delivered to time and budget. Working with internal teams including Global Sales, Engineering and Product to enable seamless integration of any provided solutions. Ensure that there is an appropriate account management structure in place to service large data science clients within betting, with appropriate deliverables, resourcing and reporting to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our clients and capitalising on additional revenue opportunities.Working with the Director of Data Science, Ellipse, ensure that Ellipse Betting Services is at the forefront of future developments in machine learning and AI across the data science space, and is capitalising on these developments to maintain a leadership position in data analysis and odds modelling.Working with the Director of Data Science, Ellipse, share best practice and ensure Betting Services is aligned with wider strategic initiatives across the Data Science, Product and Engineering strategy across Ellipse.Key Requirements:Demonstrable experience delivering in-house models within the betting industry and a strong desire to guide proprietary modelling of non-core, unique markets.Strong technical skills and expert knowledge across all key aspects of data science and model development. The ideal candidate will have a clear view of best practice for data science applications in betting and a strong track record in the application of best practice to all aspects of model development and assurance. It is likely that the ideal candidate will have at least 6 years of direct experience in data science, dealing with large data sets and feeds.Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, with a drive for completing high-quality, outcomes-focused work.Experience of producing related contingency modelling solutions for bet builder / same game accumulator products as well as providing performance analysis through backtesting and optimisation cycles using market data to aid model development.Experience with the PyData stack (e.g. pandas, numpy, scikit-learn, XGBoost, matplotlib). A strong understanding of machine learning and statistical methods e.g. linear/logistic regression, decision trees, random forest, unsupervised methods, neural networks etc.Previous experience of developing a data science strategy and roadmap for a wider business (or business unit).Strong communication and interpersonal skills, an ability to build good peer to peer relationships across Ellipse, translate complex technical information to others and the skill to support in selling key data science products.Experience in working directly with stakeholders in the betting industry would be highly advantageous.A professional or personal knowledge of horse racing, cricket and tennis, particularly from a betting perspective concerning market formation and market dynamics would be highly advantageous. Equality and Diversity:Ellipse Data is committed to building an open and inclusive culture that supports personal development and learning. Ellipse believes in the principle of equal opportunity in employment and its employment policies for recruitment, training, development and promotion despite any differences based on individual grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, disability or gender reassignment.Benefits:25 days holiday (plus bank holidays)Flexible working timesHybrid workingCompany pension schemeEye Test ContributionLife InsuranceTraining and Development Opportunities About Ellipse:Ellipse Data is a leading sports data and analytics company comprising CricViz (cricket), TennisViz (tennis), FootballViz (football), Oval Insights (rugby), Stuart Farmer Media Services (rugby), and horse racing. Working with the world’s biggest broadcasters, professional teams and rights holders, we ensure every moment matters with data-driven products and services. To apply, please also send your CV to [email protected] with the subject “Senior Data Scientist - Betting Services”. We cannot promise to respond to all applicants due to the volume we receive.