Data Automation Analyst

Cerulli Associates; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cerulli Associates, a Boston-based research and consulting leader in asset management, seeks a Data Automation Analyst to expand reusable data workflows and automation. You will transform data with Python and SQL, build cloud pipelines, and improve checks and validation in a collaborative, data-driven environment.

The role emphasizes scalable data products, cross-functional teamwork with research, IT, and editors, and contributing to AI-enabled capabilities. Hybrid work in Boston is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data analytics, information systems, statistics, or a related field.
• 2 to 4 years of relevant professional experience in data analytics, data engineering, process automation, BI, or related field; candidates with at least 1 year of especially relevant experience may be considered.
• Strong fundamentals in Python and SQL.
• Ability to troubleshoot systematically and communicate findings clearly.
• Ability to collaborate with technical and nontechnical stakeholders, ask effective questions, and challenge assumptions constructively.
• Experience with dbt, Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, Git, or similar data platforms and development practices is preferred.
• Experience with survey data, longitudinal data, wide datasets, configurable reporting, or automated document generation is preferred.
• Experience with financial services, market research, publishing, consulting, or data products is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build, run, validate, and improve reusable data automation and reporting workflows.
• Use Python and SQL to transform, reconcile, and prepare data for analysis and business deliverables.
• Contribute to cloud-based data pipelines, transformation models, notebooks, and configuration-driven processes.
• Develop and improve automated checks, regression tests, diagnostics, and validation procedures.
• Investigate data and workflow issues through structured root-cause analysis and implement practical corrections.
• Standardize and align data across reporting periods to support consistent historical analysis.
• Maintain clear technical documentation, process guides, configuration files, and data definitions.
• Partner with research analysts, Editorial, survey specialists, IT, and other stakeholders to understand workflow requirements and validate outputs.
• Identify recurring issues, edge cases, and opportunities that should become shared logic, tests, or reusable enhancements.
• Compare implementation options, communicate tradeoffs, and constructively identify risks, gaps, or assumptions requiring review.
• Support selected improvements to data access, data products, pipeline performance, and AI-assisted data experiences as priorities evolve.

Skills

Python

SQL

Troubleshooting

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Data Analytics / Information Systems / Statistics

Tools

dbt

Microsoft Fabric

Snowflake

Git

Job description

Cerulli Associates (CA) is a research and consulting firm, headquartered in Boston, specializing in product and distribution analysis for the global asset management industry. Since 1992, we have blended primary research and data analysis to bring perspective to current market conditions and forecasts for future developments. With a suite of research publications, an interactive data platform, and custom research and consulting offerings, we provide financial services firms with unparalleled guidance in strategic positioning and new business development.

Cerulli Associates is a 2023, 2024, and 2025 Boston Globe Top Places to Work. We are proud to be recognized for our outstanding employee engagement, management, work-life balance, and benefits.

Our clients include virtually all the top 50 global asset management firms, as well as industry service providers, management consulting companies, banks, broker/dealers, insurance companies, investment consulting firms, and private equity firms.

Position Overview:

The Data Automation Analyst will help expand and strengthen Cerulli Associates’ data automation capabilities. Their primary focus will be on reusable data-processing, benchmarking, reporting, and validation workflows that support the firm’s research, publishing, and consulting work.

The successful candidate will combine hands-on technical implementation with careful analytical judgment. This person will work within an evolving modern data environment, contribute to the adoption of stronger data and development practices, and help improve the reliability, scalability, and usability of Cerulli’s data products and workflows. This role will help strengthen the reliable, reusable data foundation needed for analytics, automation, and emerging AI-enabled capabilities.

This role is designed for someone with experience working with real business data and recurring workflows who wants to grow from strong implementation into greater technical ownership and solution development. The position reports to the Associate Director, Data Strategy, and is based in the Boston office. Cerulli operates a hybrid work model, with employees working in the office two days per week.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Build, run, validate, and improve reusable data automation and reporting workflows
• Use Python and SQL to transform, reconcile, and prepare data for analysis and business deliverables
• Contribute to cloud-based data pipelines, transformation models, notebooks, and configuration-driven processes
• Develop and improve automated checks, regression tests, diagnostics, and validation procedures
• Investigate data and workflow issues through structured root-cause analysis and implement practical corrections
• Standardize and align data across reporting periods to support consistent historical analysis
• Maintain clear technical documentation, process guides, configuration files, and data definitions
• Partner with research analysts, Editorial, survey specialists, IT, and other stakeholders to understand workflow requirements and validate outputs
• Identify recurring issues, edge cases, and opportunities that should become shared logic, tests, or reusable enhancements
• Compare implementation options, communicate tradeoffs, and constructively identify risks, gaps, or assumptions requiring review
• Support selected improvements to data access, data products, pipeline performance, and AI-assisted data experiences as priorities evolve

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data analytics, information systems, statistics, or a related field
• 2 to 4 years of relevant professional experience in data analytics, data engineering, process automation, business intelligence, or a related field; candidates with at least 1 year of especially relevant experience may be considered
• Strong fundamentals in Python and SQL
• Ability to troubleshoot systematically and communicate findings clearly
• Ability to collaborate with technical and nontechnical stakeholders, ask effective questions, and challenge assumptions constructively
• Experience with dbt, Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, Git, or similar data platforms and development practices is preferred
• Experience with survey data, longitudinal data, wide datasets, configurable reporting, or automated document generation is preferred
• Experience with financial services, market research, publishing, consulting, or data products is a plus