Business Analyst, Strategy & Analytics
About Toptal
Toptal is a global network of top talent in business, design, and technology that enables companies to scale their teams, on-demand. With $200+ million in annual revenue and team members based around the globe, Toptal is the world’s largest fully remote workforce.
We take the best elements of virtual teams and combine them with a support structure that encourages innovation, social interaction, and fun. We see no borders, move at a fast pace, and are never afraid to break the mold.
Job Summary:
Toptal is looking for a senior-level Business Analyst to provide business leaders with crucial insights and recommendations for improvement. The role is part of our Business Analytics Center of Excellence, where analysts are assigned to support one or more business functions. This role will specifically work with new businesses, from structuring their data infrastructure to developing reports that support their business leaders in making data-driven decisions. Are you passionate about playing a critical role as a strategic advisor to business functions and leaders? If so, we encourage you to apply! This person will use data, create and define metrics, measure performance, and develop reports. They will also build models, forecast outcomes, run experiments, and perform in-depth diagnostic analysis.
Ultimate success goes beyond data-related activities and delivers the “so what” that drives decisions and real business impact. It is imperative to fully understand the business (processes, objectives, organization, performance drivers, barriers), and connect the dots between data analysis, business strategy, financial and operational effectiveness. We are looking for someone who is excited about seeing the bigger picture to make cross-functional connections in business processes, financial performance, and data. We expect that we not only answer the question asked, but also the question that was not. This Business Analyst needs to build positive relationships across the organization and have a “find a way” attitude.
This is a remote position. We do not offer visa sponsorship or assistance. Resumes and communication must be submitted in English.
Responsibilities:
The following information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or required skills.
- Analyze data, build models, test hypotheses, find root causes, develop prototypes, forecast performance, create Tableau reports, and write SQL scripts; and extract insights from these data activities to inform business decisions.
- Use descriptive (what happened) and diagnostic (why did it happen) analytics to develop specific, actionable recommendations for business leaders.
- Define metrics that are independent, holistic, accurate, encourage the right behaviors, and are aligned with company strategy and objectives.
- Map business processes to their corresponding data flows.
- Proactively identify and surface opportunities to improve efficiency, conversion, revenue generation, client and talent experience, operations, communication, systems & tools, cash usage, etc.
- Work closely with data analysts and business process owners to empower data-backed decision making.
- Build data infrastructure for each New Business from lead acquisition to revenue generation, set up Google Analytics, Google Search Console and Google Ads as required by every business.
In the first week, expect to:
- Onboard and integrate into Toptal, and quickly begin learning about Toptal’s history, culture, and vision.
- Shadow key teams to learn the core of New Businesses.
In the first month, expect to:
- Understand the data generated through company operations and activities and where/how that data is stored–especially as it relates to our team.
- Obtain a basic understanding of the assigned business function and its operations.
- Assess the current state of performance metrics, reports, dashboards, models, and analyses used, and identify discrepancies and areas for improvement.
- Begin supporting the function leader with relevant insights and reports for leadership meetings.
In the first three months, expect to:
- Develop a proficiency of data elements of the function and obtain a robust understanding of critical business processes.
- Gain an understanding and ability to assess the drivers and impacts of business decisions on financial performance.
- Begin identifying new opportunities to explore in the quest to improve performance continually while exercising discretion and independent judgment.
In the first six months, expect to:
- Begin to solve real business problems as a team that will move the needle on key performance metrics and financial performance.
- Help us align and standardize metric definitions across the company.
- Perform detailed root cause analysis to expose critical drivers of performance.
In the first year, expect to:
- Inform significant strategic initiatives, goals, priorities, and performance indicators.
- Become an expert both on business process and data flow, and assist in building a new outstanding business analytics function.
Qualifications and Job Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree is required.
- 5+ years of experience in data analysis, analytics, or business intelligence is required.
- 2+ years of experience within general consulting or an analytical operations function is required.
- Both a strong background in math, science, finance, engineering, or statistics and deep business insight is required; advanced degrees and/or MBA are a plus.
- Experience with BI tools (Tableau, Qlik, PowerBI, etc.).
- Proficiency in SQL; experience with R, Python, or MATLAB is a plus.
- Experience with exploratory data analysis, prototyping, testing hypotheses, performing root cause analyses, modeling business processes, building forecasts, creating predictive models, defining metrics, and/or measuring business performance.
- Track record of linking data and analytics to business strategy, financial performance, and operations to drive real impact.
- Working knowledge of probability and statistics, experience with process improvement is a plus.
- Ability to explain complex issues simply and intuitively, and willingness to challenge assumptions, communicate limitations, and flag blind spots.
- The ideal candidate needs to have a strong technical background particularly when it comes to data infrastructure and Google products while having the ability to master business processes of diverse nature.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, rapidly growing company and handle a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a diverse array of contacts.
- You must be a world-class individual contributor to thrive at Toptal. You will not be here just to tell other people what to do.
