skip to Main Content

Analyst Job Description

The analyst role is vital, providing senior management with information and conclusions that drive business decisions. From business analytics to data analysis, failing to attract the best candidates and hiring top talent could result in a company’s management taking the wrong turn or failing to act at all. So, it is crucial to advertise your vacancy using the best business or data analyst job description if you want to beat your competition.

When writing a business or data analyst job description, you need to consider the topic of data analysis (business, financial, compliance, healthcare, etc.) and the responsibilities, duties, skills, and education. With a great deal to consider, employers usually turn to one of our job description templates to lay down an effective foundation. An analyst job description template will set you on the right track and help you find experienced data analysts attuned to your business objectives.

Quick Links

What Does An Analyst Do?

You can argue that all analysts are data analysts because, in whatever form it takes, they collect data, conduct research and analysis, and identify business areas, processes, or procedures that can be improved. They might collect data by completing surveys, running tests, or mining data from across the business. Data sets could include customer demographics, employment figures, or sales statistics.

Data analysts then interpret data, run data-related queries, create data visualisations, and deliver business insights.

Analyst Role

Multiple industries hire data analysts, putting them in high demand. The data analyst’s role relies upon analytical skills knowledge, and statistical techniques. However, when analysing data, the most successful analyst will be one with experience in the data’s nature. For instance, marketing agencies may want to hire a good data analyst with a background in consumer research and customer demographics. A finance company may wish to recruit financial data analysts with statistical efficiency using complex data sets.

A few of the different analyst roles include:

  • Business Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • IT Analyst
  • Marketing Analyst
  • Risk Analyst
  • Systems Analyst

Analyst Responsibilities And Duties

Your data analyst job description will include the role’s objectives, responsibilities, tasks, and duties. Although the raw data may change, typical responsibilities and duties comprise:

  • Developing data mining and data cleansing policies, procedures, and techniques
  • Conducting database design development
  • Setting up automated data analysis processes
  • Designing surveys and analysing survey data
  • Analysing data using data analysis tools and software, such as Microsoft Access
  • Identifying trends and data changes
  • Tracking key performance indicators
  • Using existing data models to create forecasts
  • Collaborating with internal and external clients
  • Using relevant data to recommend changes and improvements
  • Updating and presenting ongoing reports using reporting packages
  • Creating data visualisations, graphs, and dashboards
  • Preparing competitor benchmarking
  • Ensuring ethical information management and compliance with data protection laws

Analyst Skills

The data analyst job description should clearly define the soft skills a job seeker should possess to qualify for the role. Employers can use these to shortlist CVs, and further use them as the basis for structuring interview questions and basic competency tests.

The top data analysis skills include:

  • Numeracy and statistical analysis skills
  • Experience using statistical techniques and methodologies
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Presentation skills ability
  • Familiarity with programming languages and data analysis tools
  • Familiarity with relational databases, such as Microsoft Access
  • Proficiency using Google Analytics and keyword analysis
  • Business administration skills
  • An ability to document workflows and processes
  • Proficiency validating data and conducting quality control – identifying reliable and unreliable data
  • Knowledge of data protection law
  • An ability to create clear data visualisations and graphical representations
  • Attention to detail

Analyst Qualifications And Education

Data analysts usually have a first degree. Any first-degree subject is beneficial if it relates to your business sector. Depending on your industry and company data type, your job description could request a degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, Business Information Systems, or Information Management.

While not usually ‘required,’ many data analysis professionals have a postgraduate degree in Data Science. A Master’s degree in Big Data, Business Analytics, or Data Science and Analytics would also be a sign that you are considering a good data analyst with top-notch skills and education.

Highly skilled analysts may further prove their data analysis skills by becoming certified by BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT or gaining qualifications accredited by The Operational Research Society or Royal Statistical Society.

Top qualifications for systems analysts include the Tech Industry Gold accredited Information Technology Management for Business Bachelor’s degree. For marketing agencies, qualifications may have been gained through The Market Research Society or The Chartered Institute of Marketing.

A CFA Society UK Investment Management Certificate and Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment Investment Advice Diploma may be required for a financial or investment data analyst job.

Required Analyst Experience And Analyst Training

Some data analyst work requires years of on-the-job experience and gaining valuable industry knowledge. However, many other data analysts work through a Data Technician Apprenticeship and enter the profession at a junior data analyst level.

Data Analyst Job Description FAQs

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF AN ANALYST?

A data analyst conducts data mining and data analytics. They interpret data and make forecasts or recommendations for achieving business growth following a logical approach and statistical efficiency.

WHO DOES AN ANALYST REPORT TO?

A data analyst will report to a senior data analyst, project managers, or senior management, such as the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANALYST?

Data analytics fall into the broad categories of business analysis, financial analysis, government statistics, IT analysis, or marketing analysis. However, all data sets can be manipulated, formulated, and scrutinised to deliver valuable insights.

WHAT IS DATA ANALYSIS?

Data analysis describes the process of cleaning, sorting, and transforming data into a model that can be used to discover useful conclusions that aid decision-making.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ANALYST JOB DESCRIPTION?

Specificity is key when writing a data analyst job description. Clearly state your industry, objectives, and required skills and qualifications.

Analyst Job Description Examples And Samples

We recommend creating your analyst job description using one of the samples and examples below.

Back To Top