Strategic Sales Data Analyst

Wellmark, Inc.•Des Moines, IA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Strategic Sales Data Analyst sits within the product team and advances analytics across Wellmark’s product and sales channels. The role operates as a shared-service resource, partnering broadly across Sales Operations and other business areas to deliver distribution analysis, executive reporting, and insights that inform business decisions. The analyst develops and enhances Power BI dashboards so leaders can understand performance, identify trends, and uncover opportunities. The position also supports sales compensation design, metric development, and strategic analyses of business performance, channel effectiveness, and operational outcomes, helping teams establish meaningful measures of success and use data to make informed decisions. The analyst evaluates distribution channel performance and identifies opportunities to improve channel effectiveness, supporting sales leadership in considering strategic shifts. They collaborate with stakeholders to understand internal and external sales channels, assess product-team performance and initiative value, and inform prioritization. The role also evaluates, administers, and implements sales incentive plans; monitors plan rules and performance measures; and partners with Finance, Sales, and Human Resources on program cost-benefit evaluations and implementation. The analyst provides accurate and actionable reports and analyses, monitors sales trends and compensation components, and makes data-supported recommendations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or direct and applicable work experience.
At least 4 years of experience with data collection, analysis, reporting, and presentation, including independently translating data into consumable insights that support business decisions.
Demonstrated ability to consult effectively and influence decisions using sound judgment and data analysis to drive positive business outcomes.
Advanced proficiency with Excel, Access, and Business Objects, or similar tools, and the technical aptitude to learn new systems quickly and produce ad hoc reports.
Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, with natural curiosity.
Attention to detail and the ability to evaluate data accuracy and validity.
Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex information to varied audiences and key decision makers.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build collaborative, trusting relationships; viewed as a subject matter expert and go-to resource.
Ability to independently manage projects, follow through effectively, define work plans and business rules, and document administrative methods and procedures.
Self-starter with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; flexible and adaptable to change.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree.
Demonstrated history of effective consultation and presentation within the business, including with senior leaders.
Proven experience exercising independent judgment and higher-order thinking.
Ability to influence direction using data analysis techniques and tools, and to translate complex data into actionable insights and compelling narratives.

Responsibilities

Develop and enhance Power BI dashboards that help leaders understand performance, identify trends, and uncover opportunities.
Analyze distribution channel performance and identify opportunities to improve channel effectiveness; support sales leadership in identifying potential strategic shifts.
Work with business stakeholders to develop a holistic view of internal and external sales channels and inform recommendations.
Identify data critical to monitoring product-team performance and assess how initiatives deliver customer value and support prioritization.
Collaborate with stakeholders on the execution and maintenance of sales strategies and reporting objectives.
Evaluate, administer, and implement sales incentive plans, including performance and goal metrics, design, consultation, and communication.
Monitor incentive-plan rules, guidelines, performance measures, and weights; document and help resolve conflicts or compliance issues.
Prepare analyses and rationale for the Compensation Review Board and partner with Finance, Sales, and Human Resources on cost-benefit evaluations and program implementation.
Develop strategic recommendations on distribution channel performance, design, and administration, including agency pay for performance, minimum book of business, agent certification and recertification, and new-agent training.
Provide complete, accurate, timely reports and analyses that others can readily use.
Analyze and monitor Agent of Record (AOR), Special Incentive for Field Force (SPIFF), draws, and other activities affecting compensation plans; recommend plan modifications supported by quantitative analysis.
Track sales trends and related compensation components; gather data and prepare routine and non-routine reports for quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Identify trends in business segments and distribution methods, formulate proactive plans based on findings, and provide information to sales and marketing teams to support business-plan results.
Ensure consistent, accurate, actionable reports and information—including close ratios, net growth, profitability, sales, and retention—are accessible to appropriate users via the web or internal systems.
Perform other duties as assigned.