Head of Insights

Head of Insights

Location: Swindon, Hybrid working

The Role:

The Head of Insights is responsible for providing timely and in-depth analytic insight to support and shape the business’ strategic and tactical commercial decision making. The role reports into the Finance Director for the High Street business with a dotted reporting line into the Commercial Director and works closely with the finance, commercial and BI reporting teams. The successful candidate will be accountable for setting the analytical agenda and roadmap for the year as well as providing ad-hoc analysis to support the commercial agenda, with strong communication skills and a proven track record of being able to influence decision making upwards to a senior management level.

What you’ll be doing

• Delivering right first time, on time insights to support commercial decision making such as (but not limited to) pricing, ranging and promotional strategies
• Working with the Commercial Director and commercial teams to set Value Creating Opportunity (VCO) plans using data, analysis and modelling to underpin the overall commercial financial plan
• Working with the commercial team and Artefact on the implementation of the new Artefact pricing and commercial tool to ensure it meets the needs of the business and providing insight on recommendations ongoing post launch
• Providing insight and analysis on the key seasons through the post completion review process and identifying new opportunities that can shape the forward plan
• Providing analysis and insight to support category plans using both internal data and external market data
• Combining data sets from various sources (qualitative and quantitative) to ensure decision making takes a holistic approach
• Liaising with key stakeholders to set the insights agenda and plan for the year ahead
• Constantly review and identify new possible sources of insight from external sources making recommendations to the business where it would be relevant to adopt
• Providing regular reporting aligned to the business’ needs such as market data and competitor performance. Exact requirements to be agreed with the business.

What we are looking for

• Excellent analytical skills and a proven track record of being able to turn data into insight
• An understanding of BI data and structures, although does not need to be a technical expert
• A proven ability to think both strategically and tactically
• Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate insight both in writing and verbally
• Strong influencing skills, including up to senior management level
• Capable of setting and managing their own agenda as well as prioritising multiple demands ensuring this is aligned with the key stakeholders’ requirements and focusses on value creation
• Multi-site retail experience preferred

How we reward our teams

• Hybrid Working model from home and in the office
• 4pm Friday Finish
• Flexible Working
• 25 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days
• Family Friendly Leave
• Competitive Pension Contribution
• Sharesave Scheme
• Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance
• Competitive Salary and car allowance
• Private medical insurance
• Staff Discount Card for stores and online

About us

Celebrating 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 12,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.

WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.