What Does a Director of Analytics Do?

A director of analytics handles some crucial responsibilities within an organization. While the job title can vary in its application among organizations, the central role remains quite similar. Working to lead the analytics team in a collaborative environment, usually under the direction of the vice president of analytics, the director will use strong statistical and analytic skills to analyze data from multiple sources. Upon completion of data analysis, he or she will translate the results into actions the organization needs to take and then communicate those findings and recommendations to the appropriate department executives. Additionally, the role will require the supervision of junior and senior analysts and, in some cases, may involve business development activities.

Commonly, a director of analytics will analyze data in such areas as marketing, sales and product development. Often, the director is in charge of cross-functional projects, managing the relationship between departmental experts and analytics experts, while ensuring the project meets organizational goals. In organizations that provide data-driven products and services to clients, the director of analytics will often be responsible for educating customers on how to use company products or services to gain insights into their operations. As well, the director may be responsible to bring in new clients, often working as part of a business development team where demonstration of analytic capabilities is required.

The director of analytics will have completed at the minimum, a bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field of study, such as statistics, economics or mathematics. Some organizations will prefer the completion of a master’s degree in a quantitative field. Analytics directors will use this educational background to both compile and interpret data results that they can use to make recommendations for organizational strategy. Skills used with regularity include analyzing data and intelligence, forecasting trends, identifying actionable insights, and tracking performance related metrics. Other responsibilities may include working with the vice president of analytics to design and implement data analytics solutions.

Experience and an intimate knowledge of multiple statistical software programs, such as SPSS, are both crucial to the director of analytics performing his or her job effectively. Excel is another program he or she must be able to expertly manipulate to analyze data and prepare presentation charts. Overall, the objective of the position is to use data analysis to effectively define solutions that will produce a return on investment. Doing so requires skilled management and assumed leadership with the organization.