Competitive intelligence analysts research and analyze data to help business leaders better understand the marketplace. Their work typically involves conducting in-depth external research and internal analyses to uncover key growth opportunities that might otherwise remain hidden.
Think of a competitive intelligence analyst as both a cartographer and a strategic guide for your organization. As a cartographer, they map out the business landscape, pinpointing your company’s exact position within it. Simultaneously, in their role as a strategist, they offer advice drawn from a deep well of market research knowledge, empowering you to make informed decisions that drive growth and success.
How to craft a job post to attract a top competitive intelligence analyst
When hiring a competitive intelligence analyst, your job post is your first opportunity to capture the attention of top-tier talent. Your ideal candidate should have both industry-specific knowledge and also exceptional research and analytical skills, coupled with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights. Below, we highlight how to develop a job post that will resonate with high-caliber competitive intelligence analyst candidates.
Give your competitive analyst job post a compelling title
Your job post title should provide enough information to attract competitive intelligence analysts experienced in your industry and who also have the skills to deliver the insights you need. Here are some sample competitive analyst job post titles:
- Competitive intelligence analyst needed for SEO research and strategy for growing B2B e-commerce company
- Medical device startup seeking a competitive intelligence analyst to identify trends, threats, and opportunities
- Hiring competitive intelligence analyst with stellar data gathering skills for auto industry market research project
Write an effective project description
The project description is a follow-up to your competitive intelligence analyst job post title. It should include more granular details about what the project entails. It can also serve as a filter, encouraging those who have both the experience level needed and who are willing to work with your budget. Here are four important categories to cover in your project description:
- Scope of work. The competitive intelligence analyst role can vary. Often called “competitive intelligence analyst” or “competitive analyst,” some companies seek these professionals for big-picture business analysis while others see the role as more niche, such as content marketing. Be specific about responsibilities and deliverables. Examples include producing weekly website analytics summaries, auditing a competitor’s social media performance, or creating a trend report using predictive modeling tools.
- Project length. Include timeline and deadlines, and provide context. Do you need help with a pressing one-off project? Are you looking for long-term collaboration with no definitive end date? Or something in between?
- Experience. Indicate the type of expertise and background needed for your project, including details related and required specializations, certifications, and industry knowledge.
- Budget. Include your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts and set a budget.
Include a detailed list of responsibilities and qualifications
The scope of work in your project description will clue competitive intelligence analyst candidates in on what skills they need to succeed. This section offers an opportunity to include general responsibilities and qualifications. Here are some examples:
- Map out the market landscape, including customer habits and spending trends.
- Create a detailed analysis of the competition, including quality, reputation, price, strengths, weaknesses, and projected growth trajectory.
- Conduct an audit of current SEO strategies and identify best practices for producing new content and optimizing existing content.
- Analyze internal social media ad campaigns, and provide recommendations for maximized results.
- Clearly communicate quantitative research findings with various teams, including non-technical stakeholders.
- Create a strategic growth marketing plan that can be adopted quickly.
What to know before hiring a competitive analyst
Competitive intelligence analysts work in nearly every industry. Their methods and the types of research conducted are often informed by their specializations. Understanding the varied specializations of competitive intelligence analysts, top skills to seek, and the average cost to hire can help you make a better informed decision.
Competitive intelligence analyst industries
Competitive intelligence analysts often focus on a certain industry or niche area. Some examples include:
- Marketing. Analyze competitor campaigns and consumer behavior to optimize marketing strategies and improve ROI.
- Healthcare. Identify emerging trends, regulatory changes, and competitor moves to ensure your organization stays compliant and competitive.
- Higher education. Assess enrollment trends, competitor programs, and student preferences to refine recruitment and retention strategies.
- Publishing. Track industry shifts, content trends, and competitor offerings to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market.
- Retail. Monitor consumer purchasing patterns, competitor pricing, and market trends to adjust your retail strategy effectively.
- Finance. Provide insights into competitor financial products, regulatory impacts, and market movements to inform strategic decisions.
- Pharmaceuticals. Analyze competitor drug pipelines, regulatory landscapes, and market opportunities to guide R&D and marketing efforts.
- Government. Offer intelligence on policy changes, global events, and public sentiment to inform policy-making and strategic initiatives.
- Manufacturing. Assess global supply chains, competitor production strategies, and emerging technologies to optimize operations.
- Technology. Track competitor innovations, patent filings, and market trends to stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
- Travel. Monitor industry trends, consumer preferences, and competitor pricing to optimize your travel offerings and marketing strategies.
- Sports. Analyze competitor strategies, fan engagement trends, and sponsorship opportunities to enhance team performance and marketing efforts.
Competitive intelligence analyst services
Competitive analysts empower businesses with the insights needed to stay ahead of the competition. They can provide actionable intelligence, enabling you to make informed decisions and capitalize on market opportunities. Here are some examples of the services competitive analysts may provide:
- Market analysis and trends. Gain a comprehensive understanding of current market conditions, emerging trends, and potential threats.
- Competitor profiling. Understand your competitors' strengths, weaknesses, strategies, and market positioning.
- Customer insights. Discover customer preferences, behaviors, and unmet needs to fine-tune your offerings.
- Strategic recommendations. Receive data-driven guidance to optimize your market approach and achieve a competitive edge.
- Regular reporting. Stay updated with consistent reports and insights tailored to your business objectives.
Skills to look for in a competitive intelligence analyst
A competitive intelligence analyst draws from many different skill sets. Here are some typical skills, traits, and abilities to look for when hiring a competitive intelligence analyst:
- Technical acumen. A competitive intelligence analyst must be adept at using current data analysis and processing software, as well as various commerce platforms and content management systems.
- Research expertise. Old-school research ability still holds great power, and a resourceful competitive intelligence analyst will pull from everything from academic journals and industry reports to external focus groups and internal interviews.
- SEO expertise. The world of SEO is rapidly evolving, and a competitive analyst must stay up-to-date on the latest web trends, emerging platforms, and algorithm changes to boost search engine rankings and drive organic web traffic.
- Analytical skills. A competitive intelligence analyst must know how to efficiently collect and organize data, identify patterns, and use findings to inform their strategic recommendations.
- Collaboration and communication. Information is only helpful if it is shared effectively. This means understanding how to connect with a range of audiences from C-suite executives and consumers to marketing leaders and fellow research professionals.
Cost of hiring a competitive analyst in 2024
Expertise, experience, location, and market conditions affect rates, which can vary significantly in this field. Generally, you can expect a competitive intelligence analyst (or competitive analyst) on the Upwork marketplace to cost anywhere from $20 to $100 an hour. More advanced competitive intelligence analysts can command anywhere from $350 to $1,000 an hour.
Hire top competitive analysts on Upwork
While it may seem obvious that a successful competitive intelligence analyst must be skilled in data collection and analysis, they must also be skilled in creating and communicating actionable insights from that analysis. These in-demand professionals can be difficult to find. The good news: Upwork can help you quickly attract top-notch competitive intelligence analyst talent to gain an edge on companies in your space and put you on a growth-oriented path to prosperity.