AI and Data Strategist

Ruder Finn; New York (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and Vision insurance

401k matching

Monthly cell phone allowance

Generous PTO

Job summary

Ruder Finn is a leading independent communications agency. We seek an AI Strategist to bridge traditional analytics with emerging AI initiatives, creating dashboards and experiments across clients. You’ll explore tools, trends, and practical AI applications to advance our offerings.

You’ll work with strategists, data analysts, and technologists to solve complex business problems and shape how AI is applied in communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or technical/analytical discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with data.
• Familiarity with data visualization concepts and tools.
• Experience with APIs and integrating data is a plus.
• Excel proficiency; SQL or Python a plus.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze earned, owned, and social media performance using analytics platforms.
• Develop dashboards, reports, and visualizations for client teams.
• Support measurement frameworks and research across industries.
• Assist with AI visibility audits across generative AI platforms.
• Analyze AI-generated responses and search trends for strategic opportunities.
• Support AI-powered workflows and internal tools to improve operations.
• Research emerging AI technologies and analytics methodologies.
• Collaborate with strategists, data analysts, and clients to solve problems.
• Continuously explore new technologies to evolve AI capabilities.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Data visualization

Cross-functional collaboration

Curiosity about AI

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Analytics/BI/Statistics

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

Looker Studio

Excel

SQL

Python

Job description

Ruder Finn is one of the world’s leading independent communications agencies, built around a What’s Next mindset — a culture of curiosity, creative thinking, and constant exploration. At the heart of that approach is our award-winning Tech Lab, where we experiment with AI and emerging technologies, turn new ideas into practical solutions, and help our teams and clients stay ahead of what’s next. As an AI Strategist, you’ll work across both traditional communications analytics and emerging AI initiatives — exploring new tools, identifying trends, and helping develop innovative ways to apply AI across communications and business. If you’re curious, analytical, experimental, and excited by the possibilities of AI, this is a chance to help shape what’s next at Ruder Finn.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze earned, owned, and social media performance using industry analytics and media monitoring platforms.
• Develop dashboards, reports, and visualizations that communicate meaningful insights to client teams.
• Support measurement frameworks, competitive analyses, and research projects across a variety of industries.
• Assist with AI visibility (GEO) audits, evaluating how brands appear across generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Microsoft Copilot.
• Analyze AI-generated responses, citations, and emerging search trends to identify strategic opportunities for clients.
• Support the development of AI-powered workflows, automation, and internal tools that improve agency operations.
• Conduct research on emerging AI technologies, data sources, and analytics methodologies.
• Collaborate with strategists, data analysts, technologists, and client teams to solve complex business problems.
• Continuously explore new technologies and contribute ideas that help evolve the agency's AI capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Statistics, Mathematics, or another technical or analytical discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an interest in working with data.
• Familiarity with data visualization concepts and tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Looker Studio, or similar platforms.
• Experience working with external or third‑party APIs and integrating data from external platforms is a plus.
• Basic understanding of spreadsheets and data analysis (Excel required; SQL or Python is a plus).
• Curiosity about artificial intelligence, generative AI, and emerging technologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain analytical findings clearly.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment.
• Internship, coursework, or personal projects related to analytics, AI, software, or data visualization are a plus.

What Will Help You Stand Out

• Experience with Python, SQL, R, or another programming language.
• Experience creating dashboards or data visualizations.
• Familiarity with generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Copilot.
• Experience with media monitoring, social listening, or marketing analytics platforms.
• A portfolio, GitHub, personal website, or technical projects demonstrating curiosity and initiative.
• Benefits & More
• You will receive a competitive base salary and bonus opportunity
• You will also be able to enroll in our Health, Dental, Vision, company paid Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Account, as well as 401k (match) plan
• Monthly allowance for cell phone, office equipment, etc.
• Generous PTO policy with paid maternity/paternity leave
• Professional learning and development opportunities
• Workplace flexibility
• On-site and off-site social gatherings

The anticipated salary range for this position, at the time of posting, is $50,000 – $68,000. The salary of the applicant selected for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, education, internal equity, geography, relevant years of experience, certifications, skills, abilities of the selected applicant, and other job‑related qualifications. In addition, a range of medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available by the company.

Ruder Finn provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Ruder Finn will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Ruder Finn believes that diversity and inclusion among our employees is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.