What does a data consultant do?
A data consultant is primarily responsible for devising strategies on finding data and utilizing them according to the needs of a company. Most of the time, they are in charge of gathering data through various means and opportunities, maintaining and designing a database, coordinating with multiple data specialists, inspecting data for any inconsistencies, and performing corrective measures. Furthermore, a data consultant may develop systems and networks for data storage, all while adhering to the policies and standards of the company.
Data consultant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real data consultant resumes:
- Used SSRS to create and manage a number of complex reports according to user specifications.
- Analyze, document and manage all project requirements and changes to the requirements throughout the SDLC.
- Design and manage postgres database schemas; configure postgres servers in Linux environments to meet business requirements.
- Manage weapon system project websites via SharePoint, including troubleshooting technical issues and developing guidelines for public/private information and user permissions.
- Implement data extraction, transformation and load processes in a parallel framework.
- Compile a written report highlighting exploratory data analysis, visualization, and predictions.
- Design and development of informatica mappings using aggregator, lookup, expression and other transformations.
- Schedule and distribute reports using schedule management on the Cognos portal.
- Conduct database schema design sessions with the project architecture and development resources.
- Create OLAP models for reporting and developing some reports for testing purpose.
- Conduct in-depth analysis of the current trends and products within the data visualization / B.I.
- Handle data conversion, cleansing, extraction, transformation, load along with file prep.
- Lead the process of automating the data modeling process using templates and SSIS data flow tasks.
- Install, configure, create aggregations, OLAP cube and test the performance against AS/400 data.
- Create monthly updates of SAS formats for membership validation look-up from raw data files and other look-up conversions.
Data consultant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Data Consultants are proficient in Analytics, Data Quality, and Data Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Time-management skills, Interpersonal skills, and Leadership skills.
We break down the percentage of Data Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Analytics, 13%
Create visualizations, reporting and dashboards to support continuous monitoring of Key Performance Metrics for business analytics and decisions.
- Data Quality, 7%
Performed data quality analysis in order to provide corporate customers with timely, accurate information regarding their health care expenditure costs.
- Data Management, 6%
Recommended best practices for data management and data structure, including the integration of statistical programming software.
- Data Governance, 5%
Gathered and distilled artifacts for requirements on major Business Bank Administration implementation as relating to data governance design.
- Informatica, 4%
Advised Project Management of Best Practice approaches for upgrade and maintenance of Informatica PowerCenter components.
- Master Data, 4%
Delivered organizational data flow diagrams for the high level project solution addressing each master data domain and source/target system.
"analytics," "data quality," and "data management" are among the most common skills that data consultants use at work. You can find even more data consultant responsibilities below, including:
Time-management skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a data consultant to have is time-management skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "management analysts often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule." Data consultants often use time-management skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "scheduled sessions and batch process based on demand, run on time, run only once using informatica server manager. "
Interpersonal skills. Many data consultant duties rely on interpersonal skills. "management analysts work with managers and other employees of the organizations for which they provide consulting services," so a data consultant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways data consultant responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "leveraged deep knowledge of hr policies and employment law, as well as, strong interpersonal and communication skills. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a data consultant to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what data consultants relies on this skill, since "management analysts must be able to think creatively to solve clients’ problems." How this skill relates to data consultant duties can be seen in an example from a data consultant resume snippet: "implemented dse solr solution for to push incremental orders data in to centralized hadoop cluster. "
Analytical skills. While "analytical skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to data consultant responsibilities. Much of what a data consultant does relies on this skill, seeing as "management analysts must be able to interpret information and use their findings to make proposals." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of data consultants: "compiled a written report highlighting exploratory data analysis, visualization, and predictions. "
The three companies that hire the most data consultants are:
- Deloitte244 data consultants jobs
- Accenture139 data consultants jobs
- Guidehouse79 data consultants jobs
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Compare different data consultants
Data consultant vs. Business advisor
Business Advisors are consultants responsible for implementing business strategies to improve financial and operational efficiency. They are involved in preparing financial budgets, recommending a change in the operational process, identifying new business opportunities, evaluating a marketing strategy, and reviewing supplier and labor contracts. Business advisors also help to manage risk by performing risk analysis and consumer behavioral analysis. They are involved in report preparation and work to maintain open communication with different departments to implement change.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, data consultant responsibilities require skills like "analytics," "data quality," "data management," and "data governance." Meanwhile a typical business advisor has skills in areas such as "customer service," "project management," "business operations," and "healthcare." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Business advisors earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $92,206. On the other hand, data consultants are paid more in the health care industry with an average salary of $106,674.business advisors tend to reach similar levels of education than data consultants. In fact, business advisors are 3.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Data consultant vs. Data scientist
A Data Scientist analyzes information from multiple sources in order to gain maximum insight that can give the company a competitive advantage. They work in different domains, including manufacturing, healthcare, education, and finance.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that data consultant responsibilities requires skills like "analytics," "data management," "data governance," and "master data." But a data scientist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "data science," "data analytics," "data visualization," and "tensorflow."
On average, data scientists earn a higher salary than data consultants. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, data scientists earn the most pay in the start-up industry with an average salary of $123,913. Whereas data consultants have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $106,674.data scientists earn higher levels of education than data consultants in general. They're 14.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for data consultants in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Brian Simmons
Associate Provost, Columbia International University
Data consultant vs. Senior business consultant
A senior business consultant specializes in performing research and analysis to optimize business processes. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with different departments to gather necessary data, devising strategies to reduce cost, assess risks, and identify the strength and weaknesses of operations to recommend solutions. They may also train and mentor junior consultants, produce progress reports and presentations, and assist clients through calls and correspondence. Furthermore, as a consultant, it is essential to adhere to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from data consultant resumes include skills like "data quality," "data management," "data governance," and "informatica," whereas a senior business consultant is more likely to list skills in "healthcare," "project management," "sr," and "business analysis. "
Senior business consultants earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $111,128. Data consultants earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $106,674.senior business consultants typically earn similar educational levels compared to data consultants. Specifically, they're 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Data consultant vs. Business analyst-consultant
A business analyst-consultant is responsible for overseeing the project management and ensuring that the operations meet the agreed-upon project deliverables. Business analyst-consultants closely coordinate with the clients for their specifications and requirements, monitoring the resources and processes for the project completion, and aligning those to the clients' budget goals. A business analyst-consultant helps the development team on strategizing techniques for brand promotions with minimal costs with maximum quality and productivity. They should have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on identifying business opportunities to drive revenues and increase profitability.
Types of data consultant
Updated January 8, 2025
