Insights Consultant (Finance) - 3 Month Contract

Black Swan Data is a leading provider of data, software, and consulting services for the consumer goods industry. Our technology uses AI and social data to power the insight and innovation capabilities of brands like PepsiCo, Molson Coors and General Mills. 

We are a values-driven company that is committed to our employee’s wellbeing and growth. We believe that our people are our greatest asset, and we want to create an environment where they can thrive. 

Job Summary 

You will be responsible for leading the insights design and delivery for a key Financial Services Client based in the USA, answering client briefs on consumer needs and behaviours. You will be supported by consultants and associates based in the Cape Town Insights Hub.  The projects will involve both quantitative and qualitative research analysis using our social datasets to analyse data, identify trends, understand consumers’ interests, and present the findings.  

You will ensure the team deliver high-quality insights and analytics as well as present engaging deliverables within agreed deadlines to the Client. 

Expect to engage in a creative research process where analytical rigour is just as important as curiosity about the world. You will be part of an engaging, fast-paced environment, working with a dynamic and social team. 

Key Accountabilities:   

• Scope & lead multiple projects simultaneously, from the client briefing, research design and proposal development through to delivery of inspiring presentations that move the client to action.  

• Lead key Financial Services client based in the USA. 

• Be flexible to join Client call on USA Pacific Time zone as necessary. 

• Adapt and refine the established Black Swan consulting services to the Financial Service market needs. 

• Lead the team and provide feedback and guidance on deliverables.  

• Conducting both data-led and qualitative analysis.   

• Ability to work with and interpret large volumes of Excel data.   

• Succinct reporting of analysis, identifying compelling insights that answer key business questions.   

• Actively participating in client and internal meetings, debriefs and presentations.   

• Take an active role in sharing key learnings and best practice both informally and in team sharing sessions.     

• Have a ‘finger on the pulse’ of the team and escalate to the appropriate stakeholder in a timely fashion any obstacles to project quality/timing delivery, outlining potential resolutions and support needed.   

• Partner with the Project Team & Insight Directors in scheduling & tracking project workload & progress by team member.   

• Contribute to culture, creating an environment where everyone feels included, engaged, able and committed to deliver their full potential.   

Your Candidate Profile:    

• Relevant Degree or post graduate qualification.   

• 6+ year’s relevant work experience in qualitative and quantitative analysis.   

• 3+ years’ experience in Financial Services (consumer banking) insights role, agency or client.  

• Interest in product innovation and new technologies.   

• Interest in understanding consumer attitudes & behaviour, and wider cultural trends.   

• An interest in new emerging research techniques and the potential of data and technology.   

• Feel comfortable and confident working with a range of stakeholders, including clients.   

• Confident and engaging presentation style.   

• Skilled at using PowerPoint to present in a professional and visually compelling way.   

• Exceptional communication skills; the ability to understand & articulate a problem and solution, both in verbal and written forms, and influence others.  

• Strategic agility – capability to reframe a question or brief, or set of insights, to ensure the pivotal business and research question is understood and addressed.  

Nice to have/ desirable  

• Partner with Black Swan’s Lead Analyst in London, in terms of identifying opportunities for greater speed to delivery (identifying and resolving process ‘pain points’ via automation etc), and in testing & deploying new analytic capabilities that drive incremental insight.