👈 BACK TO NEWS & INSIGHTSWhat Makes a Great Marketing Analyst? Key Traits to Look for When Hiring
If I had a £1 for every time a hiring manager has asked for “a data whizz who can tell a story and has a bit about them”... I’d probably be retired by now!
You need someone who’s got a solid head for numbers, a creative streak for storytelling, and the ability to turn raw data into actionable insights. I get it…hiring a marketing analyst can feel a bit like searching for a unicorn, especially if it’s not an area you have much experience hiring for!
So, what exactly should you be looking for? Here’s a breakdown of the key traits that separate the good from the truly great.
Curiosity (AKA, The “Why?” Person)
Great marketing analysts don’t just crunch numbers and call it a day, they ask why. Why is customer engagement dropping? Why did that campaign outperform expectations? They dig deep and don’t settle for surface-level insights. A naturally inquisitive mind is a game-changer in this role.
Tech-Savviness Without the Jargon Overload
Sure, they need to be comfortable with analytics tools - Google Analytics, SQL, Python, Power BI, etc. but a great analyst doesn’t just rattle off technical jargon. They know how to translate complex data into simple, actionable takeaways for marketers, stakeholders, and leadership teams who don’t speak fluent ‘data’.
A Dash of Creativity
Data isn’t just about numbers, it tells a story. The best marketing analysts can spot trends and weave them into a compelling narrative that helps shape future strategy. They don’t just say, “Website traffic is up 20%.” They explain why it happened and how to keep the momentum going.
Problem-Solving Mindset
Things don’t always go to plan. Maybe an ad campaign flopped, or a new website feature tanked conversion rates. A great analyst doesn’t panic - they see problems as puzzles to solve, in fact they LOVE a problem to solve. They will test hypotheses, tweak variables, and refine strategies to find what actually works.
Strong Communication Skills
The best insights in the world are useless if no one understands them. A great marketing analyst can present data in a way that’s clear, engaging, and actually useful. Whether they’re writing a report, creating a dashboard, or speaking in a meeting, they need to make data make sense for everyone.
Business Acumen
Data is only valuable if it drives results. A top-tier marketing analyst understands the bigger business picture and knows how their insights impact revenue, customer experience, and overall strategy. They don’t just analyse for the sake of it, they focus on data that matters.
Adaptability & A Love for Learning
Marketing is always evolving - new platforms, new algorithms, new consumer behaviours. A great analyst doesn’t just keep up; they stay ahead of the game, constantly learning new tools, techniques, and trends to keep their insights relevant and impactful.
Finding the perfect marketing analyst isn’t just about ticking off technical skills. It’s about finding someone who’s got the curiosity, creativity, and communication chops to turn data into real business value. Get the right person in, and they will do more than just analyse, they will help shape the future of your marketing strategy.
Sophie Page is Senior Recruitment Manager – Data, Analytics & Insight at Forward Role.
Need help finding the brightest marketing analytics talent? Get in touch for a chat: sophie@forwardrole.com I 07824 365143
