The Data Insights & Analytics Director will bring a combination of deep analytical rigor and a proven ability to sell in data insights thinking to clients and internal teams alike. In addition to building predictive models and measurement frameworks, the right candidate will build and lead a growing team, elevate the caliber of our analytics output, and make data a driving force in the firm's strategic and creative recommendations.
The Data Insights & Analytics Director at Signal Theory leads our data analytics and insights function with a mandate to grow the team's capability over time. This role reports to Director of Innovation & Technology and works closely alongside business strategy, brand strategy, content, media and account teams to modernize how we deliver media, social, web, email, AEO/GEO, sales and marketing data insights. With the Data Analyst team they manage, they own the data layers, the model mechanics, the channel KPIs and provenance. The Director must be equally comfortable architecting predictive models fueled by AI and rooted in industry intelligence, seasonality, and consumer behavior, as well standing in front of client leadership to translate that thinking into confident, actionable recommendations.
Responsibilities
The Data Insights & Analytics Director will:
External / Client-Facing
Serve as a senior, trusted advisor to clients on measurement strategy, predictive modeling, and data-informed business decisions.
Lead client-facing presentations of dashboards, forecasts and performance insights, connecting outputs directly to clients' business goals and ROI, and clearly communicating the source and driver behind every number.
Build relationships with client leadership to proactively identify measurement needs and get ahead of evolving business goals.
Partner with new business and account teams to build data command centers that forecast business variances and outcomes. Articulate this type of forecasting along with Signal Theory's data and analytics capabilities as a point of competitive differentiation in pitches and RFPs.
Facilitate strategic planning and QBR conversations where data insights and predictive models inform client decision-making.
Speak the language of the client's category with enough depth (channel dynamics, margin structure, purchase drivers, growth levers) to build credibility with brand and category leaders.
Connect the dots between the beginning, middle and end of advertising and marketing campaigns, grounding recommendations in both judgment and evidence.
Help client leads sell through ideas to their stakeholders with the data-fueled rationale and storytelling.
Internal / Team & Capability Building
Build, lead, and mentor the data insights team, growing it and establishing a clear career path for direct reports.
Set the strategic roadmap for the firm's analytics function, prioritizing efficiency and scalability in how media, social, email, web, AEO/GEO, sales and marketing data are collected, reported, and visualized.
Maintain the playbooks (skills and reference docs) that fuel AI-enabled data models and command centers.
Manage the agentic workflow, ensuring accuracy and consistency across clients.
Develop and maintain predictive scenario models that incorporate industry intelligence (business factors and market pressures), seasonality trends and consumer behavior to inform client and firm decision-making.
Identify and implement tools, automation, and process improvements that reduce manual reporting effort and increase the speed and consistency of insight delivery through continuously-refreshed dashboards.
Own the data governance for dashboards and models, ensuring accuracy and clarity with every figure and its source and Live/Measured/Modelled designation. Data provenance ownership includes management of permissions and confidentiality.
Translate complex modeling outputs and business data into digestible, visually compelling insights for both internal teams and clients.
Cultivate relationships and collaborate closely with strategy, media, innovation & technology, PR, content and account teams to embed analytics earlier and more deeply into campaign planning.
For each industry force identified for clients, find the measurable proxy and its source and connect these inputs to dashboards.
Create an ongoing internal training program that builds analytics fluency across the firm and helps teams connect outputs to client business value.
Cultivate relationships with account leads, discipline leads, and senior management that leads to meaningful integration of analytics into client teams and work.
Requirements
The requirements and experience of a Data Insights & Analytics Director will need to include:
10 to 13 years of experience in marketing and/or sales analytics, including experience building and leading an analytics team or function in ad agency or client-side environments.
Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, analytics, statistics, or a relevant field; advanced degree a plus.
Proven experience developing predictive and statistical models (e.g., forecasting, marketing mix modeling, seasonality analysis and scenario modeling based on external forces and named assumptions ) that inform strategic, creative and media decisions.
Advanced data visualization and BI proficiency (Tableau, Looker Studio, Datorama, Power BI, or similar).
Advanced knowledge of SQL, Python, or R for advanced data analysis.
Experience directing AI coding and research agents against a spec and auditing performance.
Extensive familiarity with media, social, and marketing data sources and channels, including public statistical APIs (FRED, BLS, NOAA, NASS, etc.) alongside Google Analytics, CRM/Salesforce and Meta/social platform reporting and social listening measurement. Familiarity with connecting to APIs including public endpoints and privately-accessed platforms.
A proven track record of selling-in data-driven points of view to clients and executive stakeholders, not just producing them.
An understanding and appreciation of advertising and able to use data and insight to speak to how great campaigns are effective toward achieving business goals.
Demonstrated ability to manage, mentor, and grow a team, with a genuine interest in developing talent.
Experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods, and the ability to compile and synthesize secondary and primary research.
Exceptional Benefits Include
Exceptional benefits include:
Access to online learning platforms to continue honing your craft.
Up to $500 a year to put toward qualified wellness expenses, like your gym membership.
After one year, reimbursement of up to 50% of tuition costs for approved continuing education.
After eight years, a four-week paid sabbatical, plus a $750 reimbursement for international travel.
Of course, we also offer:
Provide health, dental and vision insurance.
Offer salaries commensurate with experience.
Offer both traditional and Roth 401k plans with employer matching.
Are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at Signal Theory. We firmly believe in the importance of a diverse workforce to create work that resonates and represents both our clients and the markets they serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status.
Location
Kansas City | Wichita
