Strategic Sales Data Analyst

Wellmark•Des Moines, IA

About The Position

The Strategic Sales Data Analyst sits within Wellmark’s product team and advances analytics across product and sales channels while operating as a shared-service resource for Sales Operations and other business areas. The role delivers distribution analysis, executive reporting, and insights to inform business decisions. It develops and enhances Power BI dashboards that help leaders understand performance, identify trends, and uncover opportunities, and supports sales compensation design, metric development, and strategic analyses of business performance, channel effectiveness, and operational outcomes. The analyst helps teams establish meaningful measures of success and use data to make informed decisions. The role evaluates distribution-channel performance and sales strategies, supports sales incentive plans, and produces accurate, timely, accessible reports and analyses. It collaborates with stakeholders across Sales, Finance, Human Resources, and other areas, translating complex data into recommendations and actionable information for operational teams and executive audiences.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or direct and applicable work experience.
At least 4 years of experience with data collection, analysis, reporting, and presentation.
Ability to independently translate data into consumable insights that support business decisions.
Demonstrated ability to consult effectively and influence decisions through sound judgment and data analysis to drive positive business outcomes.
Advanced proficiency with Excel, Access, and Business Objects, or similar tools.
Technical aptitude to learn new systems quickly and produce ad hoc reports.
Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills; natural curiosity and attention to detail.
Ability to evaluate data accuracy and validity.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information to varied audiences and key decision makers.
Strong presentation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build collaborative, trusting relationships.
Ability to independently manage projects, follow through effectively, define work plans and business rules, and document administrative methods and procedures.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; self-starter who is 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.
Experience exercising independent judgment and higher-order thinking.
Ability to influence direction using data analysis techniques and tools, translating complex data into actionable insights and compelling narratives.

Responsibilities

Analyze distribution-channel performance and identify opportunities to improve channel effectiveness; support sales leadership in considering strategic shifts.
Work with stakeholders to understand internal and external sales channels and develop recommendations informed by that perspective.
Identify data needed to monitor product-team performance and assess the value of initiatives for customers and 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, plan design, consultation, and communication.
Monitor incentive-plan rules, guidelines, performance measures, and weights; document and help resolve conflicts or compliance issues involving plan rules.
Prepare analysis and rationale for the Compensation Review Board and partner with Finance, Sales, and Human Resources on program cost-benefit evaluations and implementation.
Develop strategic recommendations on distribution-channel performance, including channel design and administration related to agency pay for performance, minimum book of business, agent certification and recertification, and new-agent training.
Prepare complete, accurate, timely reports and analyses that others can readily use.
Analyze and monitor Agent of Record, Special Incentive for Field Force, draws, and other activities affecting incentive plans; develop quantitatively supported recommendations for plan modifications.
Track sales trends and compensation-related data; gather data and prepare routine and non-routine reports for quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Identify trends in business segments and distribution methods, formulate plans based on findings, and provide information to sales and marketing teams in support of business plans.
Ensure consistent, accurate, actionable reports and information—including close ratios, net growth, profitability, sales, and retention—are available to appropriate users via the web or internal systems.
Develop and enhance Power BI dashboards to communicate performance, trends, and opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned.