Principal Analyst

Gain Theory; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Gain Theory is seeking a Principal Analyst to support client projects and oversee junior analysts. The role involves data extraction, analysis, model building, and client interaction, requiring strong analytical skills and a relevant degree. Join a dynamic team focused on driving growth for ambitious brands with opportunities for personal development and a flexible working environment.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Generous holidays

Opportunities for learning and career growth

Flexible hybrid working arrangements

Qualifications

• Ability to work inclusively and contribute innovative solutions.
• Proficiency with technology and programming languages.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills.

Responsibilities

• Undertake data extraction, manipulation, and analysis relevant to each project.
• Oversee or build comprehensive base models per project specs.
• Lead calls with clients, present findings.

Skills

Data extraction

Data manipulation

Data analysis

Client communication

Problem-solving

Education

Relevant degree (e.g., Economics, Mathematics, Statistics)

Tools

Excel

SQL

Python

Pandas

Job description

Who we are & what we do:

Gain Theory is a leading global marketing effectiveness and foresight consultancy. We combine quality data, proprietary technology, and advanced analytics to give our clients the confidence to make better informed investment decisions that drive growth.

Growth is the defining characteristic of successful organisations, and Gain Theory’s vision is to accelerate growth for ambitious brands. We define ambitious brands as those generating earnings/profits above the industry average. Our services include:

• Data strategy, harmonization, and visualization.
• Advanced analytics and modelling, including MMM, attribution, and unified measurement, testing, segmentation, behavioural sciences, choice analytics, simulation, war gaming, and forecasting.
• High-touch consultancy with bespoke roadmaps, training, industry benchmarking, and activation planning.

At Gain Theory, we love accelerating growth for ambitious brands and people. As a Gain Theorist, you will demonstrate behaviours supporting our values.

You will support senior colleagues in delivering client projects efficiently, including data collection and preparation, contributing to model finalisation, writing results and implications, and SFX creation. Your role as Principal Analyst involves overseeing other analysts and supporting their development through the Training Academy, Knowledge Shares, and feedback. Building strong relationships with client-side counterparts and effectively communicating Gain Theory approaches and brand beliefs are essential.

Key Characteristics

A successful candidate must demonstrate high curiosity and investigative skills into why things work as they do, whether through desk research or deep focus on recent client assignments. Candidates should be prepared to discuss topics within analytics or business questions they are passionate about, such as “Why is my base my base?”, “What is the long-term effect of my marketing and why?”, or “Dealing with uncertainty and building in foresight.”

Key responsibilities include:

Working with data: Data extraction, manipulation, analysis, validation, batch files, programming

• Undertake data extraction, manipulation, and analysis relevant to each project.
• Ensure KPIs are understood and explainable to the team.
• Check all tables, charts, and outputs for accuracy and formatting to GT standards.
• Manage data collection, including requests, chasing, and querying with clients and agencies.
• Structure ROVA input files according to project requirements.
• Verify outputs for accuracy and record checks.
• Proficiency in data extraction tools (e.g., Advantage, AdDynamix, Sysomos, Google Trends, Analytics, Double Click) and the ability to teach others.
• Proficiency in Excel, SQL, Python, Pandas, Analytics Workbench; working towards expert knowledge in these tools.

Building Models: Model building, validation, sales effects, ROIs, media optimisation

• Oversee or build comprehensive base models per project specs, understanding variables and coefficients.
• Improve and finalise models, assessing robustness and validity.
• Calculate sales effects, check results, and report preliminary findings.
• Create user-friendly sales effect/ROI workbooks and scenario analyses.

Creation of presentations: Content creation, summarising findings, accuracy checks

• Create content as directed, taking ownership of entire sections.
• Assist with deck creation, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Summarise findings with consultancy insights.
• Explain and justify results and potential changes.

Interpretation of results: Analysis, recommendations, translating analytics into actionable insights

• Provide input on implications and future strategies.
• Interpret results for clients, defend your interpretations.
• Justify necessary adjustments for sensible outputs, especially when reviewing others’ work.

Client Management & Interaction: Client contact, results delivery

• Lead data questions in external meetings.
• Lead calls with clients, present findings.
• Manage day-to-day client communication via email and phone.

Team Support & Development: Collaboration, leadership, communication

• Motivate and support team members, share success stories.
• Supervise and train junior team members.
• Lead training for new joiners and manage Graduate Analysts’ training projects.
• Reinforce company values through behaviour.
• Support team members’ task interpretation and provide feedback.
• Seek efficiency improvements and share knowledge via knowledge shares.
• Engage with new tools, testing and development.
• Contribute to service and product development where possible.

Meetings: Organising and leading meetings, agenda setting, minutes, managing deadlines

• Organise and lead internal and external project meetings.
• Create agendas, prepare content, and oversee minutes and actions.
• Coordinate with team and external partners to meet deadlines.
• Support project management and quality control.

Business Development: New business, client retention, planning, research

• Support revenue targets and pitch preparations.
• Attend industry events relevant to your expertise.

What you’d need to succeed:

• Ability to work inclusively and contribute innovative solutions.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills.
• Interest in data-driven decision-making.
• Tenacious, hardworking, curious, and proactive.
• Proficiency with technology and programming languages.
• A relevant degree (e.g., Economics, Mathematics, Statistics).
• Good problem-solving skills and understanding of consumer behaviour.
• Ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to personal growth and alignment with our values.

What you can expect:

• Work with respected global brands.
• Opportunities for learning, development, and career growth.
• Recognition and rewards for living our values.
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Access to employee resource groups and social activities.
• Benefits including private medical insurance, life assurance, generous holidays, and more.

WPP (Gain Theory) is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We foster a respectful culture where everyone has equal opportunities for growth.

Gain Theory is a WPP-owned consultancy. For more info, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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