Data Scientist

THE RBFA AND BELGIAN FOOTBALLL

As the largest federation in the country, with more than half a million members, the Royal Belgian Football Association represents 4,000 football clubs. Together with Voetbal Vlaanderen and the ACFF, the RBFA organises some 12,000 matches per weekend, including, of course, the national teams' matches. The Belgian Red Devils and the Red Flames are our ambassadors.

Behind all these activities, lies a massive digital ecosystem: millions of match events, thousands of teams, referees, fans, and transactions — all telling a story. Our mission is precisely to transform that story into smarter decisions, stronger teams, and unforgettable fan experiences.

Our entire team of 230 employees moved to a brand-new building near the Proximus Basecamp in Tubize. Perhaps you will be one of them?

“Ever dreamed of using machine learning to optimise match-day attendance, and help develop Belgian football in this pivotal era?” If the answer is “Yes”, it might be the right time for you to apply and become our new:

Business Data Scientist

THIS WILL BE YOUR POSITION

As a Data Scientist, you will work on strategic projects that create real impact — from fan engagement and commercial optimization to operational efficiency.

Your responsibilities will help to realize the following RBFA objectives through data & insights: *Drive the next sell-out, boost fan loyalty and realize partnership objectives

Develop and deploy machine-learning models for fan retention, commercial optimisation, and strategic decision-making. Build predictive models that help fill stadiums, personalise fan experiences, and strengthen revenue streams. *Create a crystal-clear view of what matters

Create dashboards and data products that deliver actionable insights on fan engagement, segmentation, campaign performance, sales, commercial strategy, and internal operations. Translate raw data into clear, meaningful business insights. *Make every datapoint count

Structure, organise, and document complex datasets from across the federation. Ensure data quality, governance, privacy, and security standards are upheld. Support external partners and key accounts using RBFA API services. *Turn insights into influence

Present findings and recommendations to senior management. Contribute to articles, publications, and communications shared through RBFA channels based on our analyses and research.

TO BE SUCCESFUL IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL Collaborate with departments such as marketing & communications, grassroots football, sports & refereeing, and internal operations. Translate business needs into technical solutions through discovery workshops and co-creation sessions. Bring curiosity, creativity, and a passion for elevating Belgian football through data-driven innovation.

DO YOU RECOGNIZE YOURSELF IN THIS PROFILE?

Master’s degree in business engineering, MIS, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Engineering, or equivalent experience. 2–5 years of experience in a similar role. Experience with customer or fan analytics, retention modelling, behavioural analysis, or commercial data strategies. Knowledge of cloud platforms (GCP preferred; AWS or Azure accepted). Experience with SQL, version control (Git), and automated deployment practices. Strong data visualisation skills (Looker Studio, Power BI, and/or custom Python tools preferred; other tools accepted). Mastering modern GenAI tools (e.g., LLMs, copilots, code assistants) to support coding, data exploration, and model development is a clear plus. Experience in a sports environment is a plus.

Your language skills

You are fluent in English. Having a good knowledge of French or Dutch is an advantage.

Your personality

Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Active listening skills to understand business needs and translate them into technical requirements. Strong stakeholder management with proven ability to handle competing priorities and expectations. Good presentation skills to clearly convey insights and recommendations. Proactive, service- and result-driven team player with attention to detail and accuracy. Flexible and able to prioritize within a diverse set of tasks. Emotionally intelligent to build trust, credibility and lasting professional relationships across organisational levels. Patient and empathetic when working with stakeholders of varying technical backgrounds. Eager to take ownership and learn in a dynamic environment with exciting challenges. Open to feedback and committed to continuous learning. A genuine passion for Belgian football is an asset.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

A fulltime contract of indefinite duration. A stimulating and meaningful workplace within a modern sports federation in full transformation. Opportunities for professional development, training, and growth. A compensation package aligned with the responsibilities and experience level of the role. An open, positive and ambitious atmosphere.

Would you like to find out more about this exciting position? Then please send an e-mail to Laure Beauchampet via [email protected].

SEND US YOUR APPLICATION Submit your application via our website (under “we’re looking for”) and attach your CV and covering letter. Applying via our website is the only official way to submit your application.

Would you like to find out more about this position?

Contact Laure Beauchampet at [email protected] if you have any questions about the content of the function.