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What does a senior research analyst do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Heather Tanner Ph.D.
What does a senior research analyst do

The duties of a senior research analyst depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with different departments to gather necessary data, performing research and analysis to identify consumer and market needs, finding new business opportunities, and devising strategies to optimize workflow and workforce processes. Furthermore, as a senior research analyst, it is essential to lead and encourage the team members and serve as a mentor to junior analysts, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

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Senior research analyst responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior research analyst resumes:

  • Manage research department employees and resources, operational budget preparation and oversight.
  • Work with SAS to manipulate data and perform analysis by using macros, metadata, loops, counts and macro variables.
  • Develop and automate front-end data querying and reporting tools for client presentations and reports in VBA and SQL.
  • Conduct statistical analyses with SAS using grocery store scanner data of consumer package goods for test households throughout the U.S.
  • Develop and redesign SQL databases for condensation and reporting efficiency.
  • Analyze quantitative project data using SPSS and serve as statistical consultant for company.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations which highlight selling points of client television stations and relative shortcomings of competition.
  • Design, administer and analyze results from internal employee surveys on the effectiveness of MetLife internal communications using SPSS.
  • Develop understanding of SEO practice and methodology- including architectural and design competencies, content, and off-page lining and promotion understanding.
  • Update internal database by processing merchant referrals through Salesforce CRM.
  • Track ROI on all campaigns and analyze results to create focuse campaigns.
  • Provide ROI analysis of all marketing campaigns and relate events to monitor and forecast marketing and events trends
  • Utilize enhanced firm-specific software in conjunction with MATLAB to simulate industry-standard figures.
  • Support business development team with analysis of sales lead generation via Salesforce.
  • Formulate investment research with a focus on financial companies using DCF and multiples valuation support by quantitative and qualitative analyses.

Senior research analyst skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Senior Research Analysts are proficient in Analytics, Data Analysis, and Data Collection. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Senior Research Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Analytics, 7%

    Assimilated consumption-based planning and analysis; reviewed in-depth data on business performance analytics for insight into specific network programming trends.

  • Data Analysis, 6%

    Increased lead conversions on behalf of clients through high-powered insight into higher education consumer behavior and data analysis.

  • Data Collection, 5%

    Directed several survey research projects simultaneously end-to-end, including survey design, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

  • PowerPoint, 5%

    Prepared PowerPoint presentations for the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Audit Committee, AM Best and employee Business Plan.

  • Research Projects, 4%

    Managed multiple concurrent research projects including strategic analyses of market conditions, company performance, industry landscapes and competitive positioning.

  • Healthcare, 4%

    Provide periodic training to managers and departments on healthcare related legislative updates.

Common skills that a senior research analyst uses to do their job include "analytics," "data analysis," and "data collection." You can find details on the most important senior research analyst responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior research analyst to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions." Senior research analysts often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "developed some of the first data visualization reports at the college using tableau. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform senior research analyst duties is communication skills. Senior research analysts responsibilities require that "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients." Senior research analysts also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "designed, administered and analyzed results from internal employee surveys on the effectiveness of metlife internal communications using spss. "

Detail oriented. This is an important skill for senior research analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how senior research analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a senior research analyst: "produced 52 detailed market research reports on a yearly basis an addition to ad hoc reports".

All senior research analyst skills

The three companies that hire the most senior research analysts are:

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Compare different senior research analysts

Senior research analyst vs. Analyst sales

Analyst sales, or a sales analyst, is an individual who is responsible for increasing sales and revenue of a company by running competitive analysis and making recommendations on how the marketing and sales team should move forward. Sales analysts must assist in the review of monthly financial statements and prepare complex financial statements for retail and service businesses. They develop and provide market intelligence data solutions for the sales team to maximize territory sales efforts. Sales analysts must also maintain a business relationship with key account top management to deliver outstanding customer service and assistance.

The annual salary of analyst sales is $5,963 lower than the average salary of senior research analysts.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both senior research analyst and analyst sales positions are skilled in data analysis, market research, and visualization.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between senior research analysts and analyst sales. For instance, senior research analyst responsibilities require skills such as "analytics," "data collection," "powerpoint," and "research projects." Whereas a analyst sales is skilled in "salesforce," "customer service," "crm," and "sales data." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Analyst sales really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $80,458. Comparatively, senior research analysts tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $110,757.On average, analyst sales reach lower levels of education than senior research analysts. Analyst sales are 12.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 3.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior research analyst vs. Analyst lead

The duties of an analyst lead depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather leads and data, reviewing findings, and producing reports and presentations for the stakeholders and other higher-ranking officials. Through the results, an analyst lead can provide advice, devise strategies for business optimization, spearhead the development of processes, identify strengths and weaknesses, and offer recommendations on areas in need of improvement. All of this is done while in adherence to the company's vision and mission.

A career as a analyst lead brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a senior research analyst. In fact, analyst leads salary is $20,208 higher than the salary of senior research analysts per year.A few skills overlap for senior research analysts and analyst leads. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "analytics," "data analysis," and "data collection. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior research analyst responsibilities requires skills like "research projects," "healthcare," "market research," and "research data." But an analyst lead might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "cloud security," "c #," and "power bi."

On average, analyst leads earn a higher salary than senior research analysts. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, analyst leads earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $110,488. Whereas senior research analysts have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $110,757.analyst leads earn lower levels of education than senior research analysts in general. They're 5.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior research analysts in the next 3-5 years?

Heather Tanner Ph.D.Heather Tanner Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

In academia (my field), I expect that it won't be new technology but new software that will become increasingly important. Programs that allow students to collaborate, create multi-media presentations, and analyze data.

Senior research analyst vs. Analyst

Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.

An average analyst eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of senior research analysts. The difference in salaries amounts to analysts earning a $2,049 lower average salary than senior research analysts.By looking over several senior research analysts and analysts resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "data analysis," "data collection," and "market research." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior research analyst is likely to be skilled in "analytics," "powerpoint," "research projects," and "healthcare," while a typical analyst is skilled in "customer service," "troubleshoot," "management system," and "digital transformation."

Analysts earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $79,330. Senior research analysts earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $110,757.analysts typically earn lower educational levels compared to senior research analysts. Specifically, they're 11.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior research analyst vs. Pricing analyst

Pricing analysts are responsible for examining competitors' pricing strategies and industry standards to aid businesses in determining and setting competitive pricing. These professionals study consumer habits and behavior to gauge their willingness to pay for products and examine consumer spending. They conduct impact and mathematical analyses, and large-scale research to come up with their conclusions. Other duties and responsibilities include developing revenue forecasts and statistical models, monitoring industry trends, and developing pricing tools that can quickly respond to the rapidly changing market trends and needs.

Pricing analysts tend to earn a lower pay than senior research analysts by an average of $10,888 per year.According to resumes from senior research analysts and pricing analysts, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "data analysis," "market research," and "sas. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "analytics," "data collection," "powerpoint," and "research projects" are skills that commonly show up on senior research analyst resumes. On the other hand, pricing analysts use skills like pricing strategy, customer service, power bi, and pivot tables on their resumes.The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for pricing analysts, with average annual pay of $69,095. Comparatively, the highest senior research analyst annual salary comes from the finance industry.In general, pricing analysts hold lower degree levels compared to senior research analysts. Pricing analysts are 10.5% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 3.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior research analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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