What Finance Careers are in Market and Research?

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts are part of research teams that deliver services, issue reports and provide consulting advice to clients. Financial analysts usually work on things like investment plans, such as 401(k), endowment and other financial portfolios. Financial analysts work in cross-functional teams with research, retirement, consulting and marketing staff. Financial analysts perform ongoing investment performance reviews through gathering and reconciling client portfolio data. They review cash flow, market value, investment fee and retirement reports in order to recommend changes and identify potential problems. For example, some financial analysts spend all their time updating key documents, such as investment policy charters and statements, while others entirely focus on analyzing and verifying retirement plan fees.

Marketing Analyst

According to Linkedin, marketing analysts are responsible for defining and measuring sales results and business processes. Their ultimate goal is to increase revenue and system effectiveness through developing and implementing functional metrics and process enhancements. They analyze marketing data to provide business improvement recommendations. They provide comprehensive support to management through accessing, interpreting and preparing marketing strategy reports.

They maintain relationships with internal customers to assess informational needs, act as marketing advisers and provide overviews regarding market sizing, segmentation and sales funneling. Some marketing analysts spend their time researching market trends and competitive data resources to identify exclusive business opportunities. Marketing analysts need strong math, statistical and computational skills. They should be comfortable planning and executing their own independent research projects and making actionable recommendations.

Marketing Insight Manager

Marketing insight managers build client and industry information databases that are leveraged for marketing decisions and planning. They generate in-depth consumer insights that maximize revenues, brand values and competitor differentiation. Some marketing insight managers primarily collaborate with IT staff to track online marketing campaign performances, while others primarily work with financial managers to measure marketing performance inefficiencies. Based on the information they receive, these marketing managers strive to optimize marketing mixes and deploy marketing support activities that take advantage of current consumer trends. Marketing insight managers develop research projects, select reporting methodologies and organize questionnaire for qualitative and quantitative surveys. More and more marketing insight managers are relying on big data analytics to improve reporting accuracy, provide meaningful recommendations and share exclusive customer intelligence.

Director of Market Research

In the final stages of their career, some financial market or research professionals may want to become a director of market research departments. These executives are in charge of corporate marketing activities and the associated fiscal reports and functions. They must be familiar with everything from regulatory bodies to financial management techniques to the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Directors of market research have demanding fiscal responsibilities, such as establishing long-term goals, setting corporate financial policies and reviewing operating procedures They coordinate market research budgets, financing and management activities. They ensure that marketing managers adhere to the strategic plans and maintain maintains continuous lines of communication. They approve or deny major marketing campaign proposals and when necessary, provide leadership and expert input.

Related Resource: Investment Banker

The finance careers in market and research also include finance associate, strategy specialist, portfolio analyst and capital market manager.