Manager, Basketball Data Science

Title: Manager of Data Science, Sacramento Kings

Department: Basketball Operations

Reports To: Vice President, Data Science & Planning

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Job Summary: The Manager of Basketball Data Science will serve as both a leader and strong practitioner within the Basketball Operations department. In this role, you will empower a team of talented data scientists to create a competitive advantage through analysis, research, modeling, reporting, and data management. Your work will directly inform the franchise’s decisions within player evaluation, roster construction, cap management, and long-term planning. This role is ideal for a leader with strong technical capabilities and a passion for using data and insights to drive sustainable success. This position requires unconventional hours including working in the evenings, weekends and on holidays.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead data science roadmap, aligning initiatives with the front office’s competitive goals.

• Provide quantitative and qualitative support for long-term planning, including player evaluation, roster construction, salary cap management, and forecasting.

• Manage and mentor data scientists, establishing best practices for code quality, model validation, and reproducible research.

• Oversee the full data science lifecycle, encompassing everything from model design and development to deployment, maintenance, and updates.

• Partner with scouts, analysts, and executives to identify needs and deliver data-driven solutions.

• Build and maintain reports and analysis that support key stakeholders. Present findings in a clear and compelling way.

• Represents the Kings in a professional manner while maintaining confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, Engineering, or Economics. Graduate degree is preferred.

• 4+ years of experience leading projects or managing personnel, preferably within a high-performance sports environment.

• Advanced proficiency in R, Python, and SQL.

• Strong experience in applying statistical and machine learning methods to complex datasets, including exploratory data analysis, model validation, and productionizing models.

• Able to communicate insights effectively across technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Knowledge and experience with basketball analytics and the NBA collective bargaining agreement and salary cap rules.

Total compensation & offer package will include the following:

• Base Salary: $130,000 - $160,000

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits for employees and dependents

• Self-Directed Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays

• Employer 401(k) match

• Sacramento Kings home game tickets, team store discounts, and more!