Supervisor, Data Research

Churchill Downs Incorporated•Lexington, KY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Bloodstock Research Department Supervisor leads the Brisnet Research team and is responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and quality of the pedigree and race information that powers the Brisnet database and its customer-facing handicapping and pedigree products. This position drives continuous improvement, data quality standards, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision making. The Supervisor serves as the primary owner of pedigree and race data quality and partners closely with Product, Development, Customer Service, and eCommerce teams. As both a people leader and hands-on subject-matter expert, the Supervisor establishes the team’s standards, develops staff, owns departmental quality and production KPIs, and ensures the research function scales effectively to support product growth and platform modernization.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of the horse racing and bloodstock industries, including pedigree conventions, race conditions, breeding practices, and international racing jurisdictions.
Advanced research skills with the ability to utilize pedigree databases, stud books, breed registries, official racing publications, and other industry resources.
Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
Ability to identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies in complex data sets.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to evaluate conflicting information and make sound decisions.
Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and employee development capabilities.
Strong organizational, time management, and prioritization skills.
Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word.
Experience working with databases, research tools, and data entry systems.
Ability to adapt to changing business priorities and work flexible schedules when needed.
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in bloodstock research, pedigree analysis, racing data operations, or a related field.
Minimum of two (2) years of leadership, supervisory, or team lead experience with demonstrated success coaching, developing, and managing employee performance.
Must be able to obtain and maintain all required gaming and/or racing licenses in jurisdictions where the Company currently operates or may operate in the future.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily research operations, including pedigree verification, race information research, data entry, and error resolution; serve as the final escalation point for complex or conflicting pedigree and race data questions.
Research pedigree and race information from domestic and international sources, including online registries, stud books, official racing publications, and industry databases.
Investigate and resolve data discrepancies, tracing conflicting information back to authoritative sources and documenting corrections.
Perform and oversee accurate, timely data entry of pedigree and race information into the Brisnet database.
Establish and enforce data quality standards, verification procedures, and accuracy benchmarks for all pedigree and race information entered into the database.
Conduct regular quality audits of team output; identify error trends and implement corrective training or process changes to prevent recurrence.
Monitor source reliability and maintain approved research sources for domestic and international pedigree and race data.
Lead, coach, and develop team members through performance management, training, workforce planning, and staffing initiatives that support operational and business objectives.
Manage workload distribution, scheduling, and resource allocation to meet daily production deadlines and seasonal demand peaks tied to the racing calendar.
Maintain research documentation, SOPs, training materials, and escalation frameworks; provide coaching and feedback to ensure consistency and accuracy across the team.
Develop and maintain research processes and data handling procedures aligned with product requirements and industry best practices.
Create and monitor departmental KPIs, including accuracy rates, error correction turnaround, production throughput, and customer-reported data issues; report performance and recommendations to management.
Analyze customer feedback and reported data errors to identify systemic issues and prioritize corrections.
Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and improve research workflows through technology and process enhancements that increase efficiency and data quality.
Proactively monitor changes in international registries, naming conventions, racing jurisdictions, and data sources that affect research accuracy.
Support platform and product modernization initiatives by ensuring underlying pedigree and race data meets evolving product requirements.
Collaborate continuously with Product, Development, Customer Service, and eCommerce teams to align data quality with customer-facing product needs.
Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with technical teams, management, staff, and customers regarding data questions and corrections.
Other duties as assigned by Management.