Sports Operations Analyst Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

The Business Intelligence Operations Analyst for Roster Management will support the Athletic Departments Business Intelligence unit by managing data, modeling, reporting, and analytics related to roster strategy, revenue generation, player valuation, team performance, name, image, and likeness (NIL), revenue-share planning, and scholarships.  Working with BI colleagues and department stakeholders, this role will help maintain reliable data systems, develop dashboards and decision-support tools, support predictive modeling, and translate complex information into clear insights that inform roster construction, financial planning, competitive performance, and long-term strategy.  Consistent with the units commitment to responsible data use, the role will help ensure that datasets, analytical models, and AI-assisted outputs are transparent, explainable, appropriately reviewed, and assessed for potential bias or unintended consequences.  In addition to its primary roster-management responsibilities, the role will collaborate with BI colleagues on revenue-generation initiatives and other department-wide data management and business intelligence priorities. 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Data Management and Governance 40% 

• Assist in building, maintaining, and improving the departments authoritative data sources and supporting infrastructure for roster-management and revenue-related analytics.
• Support data quality controls, athlete identity resolution, version management, access controls, source-of-truth processes, and routine audits, reconciliations, and validation checks.
• Help document data definitions, data lineage, workflows, modeling assumptions and limitations, validation results, and reporting standards across the Business Intelligence unit.
• Assess datasets, analytical models, and AI-assisted or algorithmic outputs, where applicable, for historical bias, inappropriate proxy variables, unintended consequences, and inequitable patterns; document identified limitations, escalate concerns, and preserve appropriate human review before outputs inform high-impact decisions.

Reporting and Dashboard Development 30%

• Gather and document stakeholder requirements and create, maintain, and improve dashboards and recurring reports for coaches, sport administrators, finance, compliance, and department leadership.
• Train and support users in the appropriate interpretation and use of reports, dashboards, data definitions, and analytical tools.
• Translate complex datasets into clear reports, visualizations, and summaries that support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Monitor key roster, financial, recruiting, and performance indicators and identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Support ad hoc reporting requests from department leadership and sport-specific stakeholders.

Modeling, Forecasting, and Valuation Support 20%

• Assist in developing, testing, validating, and documenting models that project athlete performance, roster needs, market value, retention risk, and future financial commitments.
• Support multi-year roster and financial scenario planning across sports.
• Contribute to player and team valuation models that incorporate performance metrics, market factors, roster role, positional value, retention considerations, and financial commitments.
• Partner with other BI personnel to improve modeling assumptions, validation processes, explainability, fairness, and forecasting accuracy.

Collaboration and Operational Support 10%

• Work closely with colleagues across the Business Intelligence unit to support both roster management and revenue generation priorities.
• Support cross-functional BI projects that require shared data infrastructure, reporting tools, or analytical resources.
• Contribute to the continued development of BI standards, tools, workflows, model-governance practices, responsible data-use safeguards, and best practices within the Athletic Department.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when working with sensitive athlete, personal, financial, contractual, demographic, and strategic information, and follow applicable data-access, privacy, retention, and ethical-use standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in business analytics, data science, statistics, economics, sport management, information systems, finance, mathematics, computer science, or a related field, plus at least two years of relevant experience; or a masters degree in one of these or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience working with databases, data management systems, reporting tools, or analytical platforms.
• Proficiency with one or more data analysis, database, or business intelligence tools, such as SQL, Excel, Python, R, Tableau, Power BI, or similar platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, clean, validate, reconcile, analyze, and interpret complex datasets.
• Demonstrated commitment to responsible and people-centered data practices, including consideration of how analytical outputs may affect individuals or groups differently.
• Strong understanding of reporting, dashboarding, data visualization, and analytical communication.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and respond to evolving priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• High level of discretion and professionalism when working with confidential or sensitive information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in college athletics, professional sports, sport analytics, player personnel, roster management, revenue strategy, or a related field.
• Experience with athlete performance data, recruiting data, NIL data, scholarship data, revenue-share planning, or player valuation models.
• Experience building predictive models, forecasting tools, or scenario-planning frameworks.
• Familiarity with NCAA rules, collegiate athletics operations, NIL, scholarship structures, and emerging revenue-share models.
• Experience developing dashboards or recurring reports for executive leadership or sport-specific stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in one or more of the following: SQL, Python, R, Tableau, Power BI, data modeling, or database architecture.
• Experience working in a highly collaborative, fast-moving, and confidential environment.
• Experience evaluating datasets, predictive models, recommendation systems, or AI-assisted tools for bias, inappropriate proxy variables, explainability, or unintended disparate outcomes.
• Experience documenting data lineage, model assumptions and limitations, validation results, audit trails, or related model-governance practices.

Pay Range: $70,000 pear year - $85,000 per year; depending on education/qualifications/experience 

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff 

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services 
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.