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Shaping TFG’s technological future by developing and communicating a strategic vision for how tech can drive innovation, growth, and change within our company and in sport.

ABOUT TWENTY FIRST GROUP

TFG is a global sports intelligence agency on a mission to help our clients get ahead and stay ahead through a groundbreaking  combination of  data science, engineering, and design. We work with some of the biggest names in sport, including the Premier League, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Ladies Professional Golf Association, Tottenham Hotspur, AON, VISA, Arctos, The FA, Sky Sports, FIFPro, Ladies European Tour, and Sky Bet & Gaming.

Together we are shaping the future of sport.

SCOPE AND IMPACT

We have a five year plan setting out an ambitious path to becoming a truly global business, shaping the biggest opportunities in sport and delivering exponential growth via new sports, markets and verticals. Our CTO will play a crucial role in helping the business deliver this exciting plan.

As CTO you’ll sit as part of TFG’s Leadership Team and report directly to the CEO. We are looking for an experienced technical leader who can confidently head up both Engineering and Data Science functions, and in doing so facilitate even greater cross-team collaboration and innovation.

You’ll interface to key stakeholders in the Commercial & Design teams to deliver best-in-class solutions to the full portfolio of our clients, and to the TFG Labs innovation hub to ensure that we continue to remain at the cutting-edge of R&D and innovation. The role is fundamental to leading client project delivery (for example Data Transformation projects) and ensuring that we stay true to our mission of delivering groundbreaking sports intelligence.

We are constantly looking for the outliers in the market to join our team. The talent who has something beyond the core skills, who likes to think differently and challenge the status quo. Those who share our passion for sport, and our desire to constantly move the needle. Most importantly people who share our values and desire to make a lasting, positive impact in sport.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

As CTO you’ll play a pivotal role in aligning TFG’s technology strategy with our business goals. As such, your responsibilities will span across various domains, encompassing both strategic and leadership functions:

1. Technology Strategy:

• Defining and executing TFG’s technological vision.
• Staying abreast of technology trends and emerging technologies, assessing their relevance to our business, and recommending innovative solutions that provide competitive edge for us and our clients.

2. Team Leadership and Management:

• Leading and managing our Engineering & Data Science Teams, including software engineers, data scientists, and infrastructure & architecture specialists.
• Assisting with prioritisation, providing guidance, mentorship, and resources to ensure efficient and effective project execution.

3. Technical Architecture and Infrastructure:

• Working alongside our Head of Architecture to align our architectural strategy with evolving business needs, ensuring we can move quickly without sacrificing scalability, security, and reliability.
Evaluating and adopting suitable technologies to streamline operations and enhance performance.

4. Commercial impact:

• With data transformation becoming a key need amongst our clients – and hence forming a key part of our proposition – you will play a key role in joining our Commercial Team in pitching to clients and delivery execution.

5. Product Development:

• Collaborate with our Commercial Team to productionise our intelligence, overseeing the entire product lifecycle, from concept to launch.

6. R&D & Innovation:

• Leading on R&D efforts to stay on top of emerging technologies and continue to foster our culture of creativity and curiosity.
• Collaborate closely with ‘TFG Labs’ on innovation projects and incorporate successful research projects into our technology roadmap.

7. Cybersecurity and Risk Management:

• Ensuring robust cybersecurity measures across the business, developing and implementing strategies to mitigate risks and protect sensitive data.

8. Strategic Partnerships:

• Forge strategic partnerships with technology partners, startups, industry leaders and universities – for example, commercial partners for TFG Labs.

9. Budgeting and Resource Allocation:

• Creating and managing technology budgets, allocating resources optimally to ensure effective resource management.

10. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with other executives such as the CEO and the Chief Commercial Officer to understand client and business needs and ensure our technology solutions align accordingly.
• Advocate at Senior Leadership level for technology needs and ensure a coordinated strategy across the company which sets our commercial roadmap up for success.
• Drive planning across the whole technology area to ensure harmonised delivery between Engineering and Data Science functions.

REQUIREMENTS

You must have or be:

• The right blend of intelligence: a healthy mix of soft and hard skills – at TFG, we value EQ as much as IQ.
• The ability to live up to TFG’s values: Integrity, Curiosity, Positivity and Unity.
• Technically proficient: with a deep understanding of software development, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and emerging tech trends such as artificial intelligence.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills: essential for guiding and motivating the technology teams, fostering a strong culture of excellence and collaboration, and articulating complex technical concepts to non- technical stakeholders (both internal and external).
• A strategic thinker: in particular the ability to align tech strategies with our broader business goals and industry trends.
• Problem-solving and decision-making capability: adept at identifying and solving complex tech challenges through decisive decision-making.
• Adaptable and agile: with the rapidly evolving tech landscape, you must be adaptable and open to learning new methodologies – to keep TFG and our clients ahead of the curve.
• The desire to collaborate and network: building strong relationships with external partners, clients, industry peers, and internal/external stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills: to enable the Technology Team to manage complex IT projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Willing to travel: part of our Technology Team is based overseas, and some clients meetings will also require overseas travel.
• UK citizenship or the ability to work in the UK:  This is a permanent full-time role, predominantly based in London.

It would be beneficial to have:

• Experience leading technology & IT rationalization initiatives: as part of M&A activities or wider buy vs build trade-offs when entering new markets and verticals.
• Experience of low-latency and financial contexts: to lead the development of real-time data processing and APIs supporting significant new business opportunities.
• Exceptional business acumen: understanding of the sports industry, market dynamics, and competitive landscape and how we can leverage technology to drive revenue growth and gain a competitive edge.

Please also let us know if you have any notable Certifications and Qualifications which could be relevant and might set you apart from other candidates.

BENEFITS

THE WAY WE WORK

How we’re enabling ownership, belonging and structured flexibility:

• A culture of positivity, curiosity, unity and integrity, which we live and breathe every day
• A team of 60 people who genuinely enjoy spending time together, with regular in-person and remote events to foster connection
• Hybrid-first approach; we optimise for office and remote working to be valued equally, and to be equally valuable
• We have performance review cycles 3x a year using our transparent career progression framework, and dedicated personal development time
• We have a Pay Philosophy to ensure a transparent and comprehensive pay review process

PACKAGE

• Salary commensurate with our internal / external benchmarking framework
• We estimate this salary to be around 150k, subject to experience / suitability
• Eligibility for equity options
• Eligibility for a bonus scheme

 BENEFITS

• Flexible working
• Private health insurance
• Income protection insurance
• Occupational life cover
• Pension
• Personal days (e.g. birthdays)
• Cycle to work scheme

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT

We are an equal opportunity employer and believe in the power of a diverse, inclusive team.

We welcome all applications from all suitably qualified people, regardless of race, sex, disability, religion / belief, sexual orientation or age.

Please let us know if you require anything which would enable your success throughout our interview process.

Apply for this job

Shaping TFG’s technological future by developing and communicating a strategic vision for how tech can drive innovation, growth, and change within our company and in sport.

ABOUT TWENTY FIRST GROUP

TFG is a global sports intelligence agency on a mission to help our clients get ahead and stay ahead through a groundbreaking  combination of  data science, engineering, and design. We work with some of the biggest names in sport, including the Premier League, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Ladies Professional Golf Association, Tottenham Hotspur, AON, VISA, Arctos, The FA, Sky Sports, FIFPro, Ladies European Tour, and Sky Bet & Gaming.

Together we are shaping the future of sport.

Requirements

Role Overview: Join Twenty First Group’s TFG Labs to be at the forefront of technological innovation in sports. You will have the opportunity to develop and launch groundbreaking web applications, work with cutting-edge technologies, and directly impact how fans and professionals experience sports. Your work will be showcased on a global stage, with significant room for personal and professional growth.

There may also be opportunities to travel to co-locate with clients.

A Creative Technologist at Twenty First Group will work within TFG Labs to deliver innovative, web-based solutions that transform sports experiences. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, creative vision, and an acute eye for detail. The role will have a focus on developing interactive and engaging web applications, with special attention given to effective Information Design and Data Visualisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and deploy innovative web applications.
• Collaborate with the Data Science and Consulting teams to interpret requirements and deliver innovative solutions.
• Spend 60% of your time designing and building web applications for Labs/clients, 20% collaborating on UI development for internal tools, and 20% proposing solutions for future client needs.

Required Skills & Knowledge:

• Proficiency in React, Redux, CSS, JavaScript, SVG, Node.js, and Animation techniques.
• Experience with API development.
• Bonus skills: Python, Three.js (WebGL), Design Tools, Large Language Models (LLMs).

Desired Attributes:

• Growth mindset with a creative vision.
• Ability to approach anyone in the business for advice.
• Strong interest in sports.
• Self-starter capable of taking broad requirements and suggesting direction.

Outcomes in the First 12 Months:

• Establish yourself as a key innovator within TFG Labs.
• Lead multiple high-impact projects.
• Contribute to the company’s reputation through aesthetically pleasing and highly usable applications.
• Develop a robust portfolio showcasing your contributions and potentially mentor new team members.

Application Process:

1. CV Screening (including portfolio review)
2. Initial phone screening
3. Creative coding challenge
4. Interview 1
5. Interview 2 (in office, approx 2hrs total)

Important: Applications without portfolios will not be accepted. Please ensure your portfolio demonstrates your technical and creative capabilities, preferably through an active personal website or GitHub repository.

If you are a positive, creative individual with a passion for sports and a knack for technological innovation, we want to hear from you! Apply today and be part of something extraordinary at Twenty First Group’s TFG Labs.

Benefits

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a team at the forefront of technological innovation in sports.
• Develop and launch groundbreaking web applications.
• Work with cutting-edge technologies and showcase your work on a global stage.
• Enjoy significant room for personal and professional growth.
• Potential opportunities to travel and co-locate with clients.

Apply for this job