Principal Analyst

GlobalData Plc; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

GlobalData plc is seeking a Principal Analyst to shape the future of life insurance research in North America. You will lead research programs, deliver strategic insights, and mentor teams while collaborating with business development and client service to uncover growth opportunities.

You will establish yourself as a recognized authority in life insurance technology and strategy, presenting insights to senior leaders and clients across financial services and insuretech ecosystems.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent with 10+ years in life insurance tech.
• Experience in life insurer, consulting, or advisory firms delivering tech strategy or delivery.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research and analytical capabilities.
• Ability to translate complex concepts into actionable strategies.
• Strong presentation and public-speaking skills with senior leaders and media.
• Independent and remote work capability.
• Proven ability to lead high-impact consulting projects and build trusted relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead life insurance technology research programs and agendas for North America.
• Provide thought leadership and strategic guidance to clients and internal teams.
• Manage consulting projects and mentor colleagues to support professional development.
• Develop trusted client relationships and identify growth opportunities within financial services tech.
• Present insights at industry forums and conferences and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Life insurance tech

Research leadership

Client relationship

Excellent communication

Public speaking

Data storytelling

Independent work

Project leadership

Strategic consulting

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent

10+ years life insurance tech experience

Job description

Who we are…

GlobalData is a specialist information services company that helps organizations make better decisions through trusted data, expert analysis, and innovative solutions. With more than 3,500 colleagues across 20+ industries, we support over 5,000 customers worldwide through one integrated intelligence platform.

Celent, part of GlobalData, provides technology research and consulting services to financial institutions. Its offerings include retained advisory support, primary research, the VendorMatch digital platform, and focused strategy consulting designed to help clients evaluate and apply technology effectively.

Why join GlobalData?

GlobalData is at a pivotal point in its growth journey. Following multiple acquisitions and having recently received transformational investment we need curious, ambitious, courageous people to support us in achieving our vision of becoming the world’s trusted source of strategic industry intelligence.

Our big ambitions mean that life at GlobalData is fast paced, entrepreneurial and rewarding. We recognize the collective power of our people, and it’s the collaboration of our teams that have shaped our success and will continue to do so in the future.

The role…

As a Principal Analyst, you will help shape the future of life insurance through deep industry expertise, strategic insight, and leadership. You will support the development and delivery of the North American life insurance research agenda, using primary and secondary research to ensure alignment with market trends and client needs.

You will establish yourself as a recognized authority in life insurance technology and strategy, providing thought leadership and strategic guidance to clients and internal teams. You will also lead consulting projects, partner with business development and client service teams to identify growth opportunities, strengthen client satisfaction, and mentor colleagues to support their professional development.

What you’ll be doing…

Research:

• Identifying key themes and emerging trends across the financial services technology landscape.
• Producing high-quality research with actionable insights for clients and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate findings into broader strategic initiatives.
• Tracking and forecasting technology trends, including emerging Insurtech and Fintech startups.
• Assessing how new technologies can strengthen financial services propositions and operating models.
• Profiling emerging and established technology solutions to help clients navigate the market.
• Identifying technologies and providers with the potential to significantly influence the industry.

Your research will support our retained advisory service, giving clients access to your expertise and insights to inform decision-making.

Strategy Consulting:

• Leading teams on complex initiatives, ensuring delivery against client goals and timelines, while independently managing selected projects.
• Acting as a trusted advisor and developing tailored solutions to clients’ strategic challenges.
• Identifying project risks and implementing effective mitigation strategies.

Clients include leading financial services firms, consultancies, venture capital firms, and technology vendors serving the insurance sector.

Relationship Building and Business Development

• Developing trusted relationships that support collaboration and shared objectives.
• Supporting business development and identifying growth opportunities within financial services technology.
• Understanding client needs and effectively positioning the firm’s offerings.
• Working with leading insurers, consultancies, venture capital firms, and insurance technology vendors.

Individual Profile and Company Brand Promotion:

• Engaging with specialist financial services technology media.
• Presenting at industry forums and conferences, including Fintech and Insurtech events.
• Being accessible to the technology and financial services communities for discussion and insight.

Your external presence will strengthen the company’s reputation as a thought leader, generate opportunities for media coverage, and help you build a strong network across the technology and financial services sectors.

Mentorship and Talent Development

• Providing guidance and coaching to support professional growth.
• Encouraging knowledge sharing, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Leading by example and promoting innovation and self-development.

What we’re looking for…

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience, with 10+ years in the life insurance technology domain, including one or more of the following:
• Experience within a life insurance company, with responsibility for technology strategy or delivery; or
• Experience within a management consulting, research, or advisory firm serving the life insurance sector; or
• Experience with a life insurance technology vendor, focused on technology strategy or delivery across the insurance value chain.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research and analytical capabilities, with experience managing research agendas.
• Deep knowledge of life insurance and technology, with the ability to translate complex concepts into actionable strategies.
• Strong presentation and public-speaking skills, including engagement with senior leaders and media.
• Intellectual curiosity and the drive to master new areas.
• Proven ability to lead high-impact consulting projects and build trusted relationships.
• Strong storytelling skills and the ability to communicate through data and impactful visuals.
• Creative problem-solving and innovative thinking.
• Ability to work independently and remotely.

In addition to a rewarding career, we support our GlobalData colleagues with a range of benefits across health, finances, fitness, travel, tech and more.

GlobalData believes strongly in the value of diversity and creating supportive, inclusive environments where our colleagues can succeed. As such, we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. GlobalData is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favorable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.