Sunderland are looking to take a data-driven approach to recruitment and performance analysis, with the club advertising vacancies for two newly-created roles.
The Black Cats are seeking applicants for the role of head of analysis and data, and a lead data scientist.
The advertisements on the club website outline the new positions, with the job of head of analysis and data extending beyond football to 'establish and support evidence led decision making across the football and business departments'.
It continues: 'Reporting to the sporting director and chief operating officer this position will be the main interface between the football and business operations and the data/performance teams.
"The aim is to develop a common data and performance language understood by all parties to simply engagement, creating a football and business operations technology and data roadmap."
The lead data scientist will report to the head of analysis and data, and the description for that role says the successful candidate will 'work within the club to inform decision making and underpin processes to create a performance culture based on evidence', and will 'create a football and business operations technology and data roadmap this position will develop and standardise the club’s products, services and processes, and implement the performance analysis and data strategy'.
With Swiss billionaire heir Kyril Louis-Dreyfus completing his takeover of the club yesterday, the new positions are a sign that the new owner wants to bring a more professional approach to the club at all levels.
Chief executive Jim Rodwell left his role today after overseeing the sale process, and it now appears this his responsibilities will be spil between sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, who was appointed in December and is in charge of footballing matters, and new chief operating officer Steve Davison, who was appointed last month to take charge of the non-footballing side of the business.
