Address Department: Technology
Team: GSMA Intelligence
Location: London
Position type: Contract until December (Inside IR35)
What the hiring manager says
As the GSMA expands its engagement with vertical industries, analytical support and research is crucial to providing an evidence base for decision making. The new Benchmarks Analyst position, then, is a fantastic opportunity to join an industry-leading market research team, bring to bear industry experience and tactical nous, and be a key contributor to the next phase of the GSMA’s and GSMA Intelligence growth. Our financial and strategic goals are ambitious: on one hand this brings expectations, but on the other it’s also what makes the job fun.
The benchmark analyst will have similarly high expectations given that this role supports a key strategic push into vertical sectors for our business and the wider GSMA. However, the person will also have latitude to bring their own vision to the role, particularly when it comes to product development and iteration – we are very open to working with great ideas wherever they come from. Our team touches every GSMA department, with this role having the chance to engage daily with colleagues across the GSMA Intelligence team and the wider organisation. Lastly, given that we are in a high growth phase, there is plenty of career runway for successful candidates who prove themselves and the case for further expansion.
Pau Castells
Head of Economic Analysis
About the Team
GSMA Intelligence is the definitive source of global mobile operator data, analysis and forecasts, and publisher of authoritative industry reports and research. Our data covers every operator group, network and MVNO in every country worldwide — from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. We maintain the most accurate and complete set of industry metrics available, comprising tens of millions of individual data points, updated daily.
GSMA Intelligence is relied on by leading operators, vendors, regulators, financial institutions and third-party industry players to support strategic decision-making and long-term investment planning. The data is used as an industry reference point and is frequently cited by the media and by the industry itself.
Our team of analysts and experts produce regular thought-leading research reports across a range of industry topics. We also support internal teams at the GSMA with research and consulting engagements on a range of topics, many of which turn into external publications, in turn driving the organisation’s reputation as a trusted thought leader.
GSMA Intelligence has two main lines of business:
- Subscription research. Our subscription research business serves clients across telecoms, technology and other industries with a best-in-class database and report portfolio covering a range of modules including mobile, fixed line and TV, IoT and enterprise, the digital consumer and spectrum.
- Consulting. The consulting business serves an array of clients, both internal and external to the GSMA, delivering research reports, quantitative and economic analysis, strategy consulting, benchmarks, and event support. Reports, for example, have covered a wide array of topics ranging from sustainability in mobile networks, to the impact of satellite networks on monetizing unconnected populations, to 5G device strategy. Benchmarks include energy efficiency, regulation, ESG, 5G development, mobile internet access, and enterprise digitization. Economic analysis has included numerous spectrum strategy projects, network TCO modelling, and geospatial coverage mapping for a supra-national financial institution to inform cost modelling for rural base station deployments. There is, in short, a wide range of outputs and topics.
About the Role
This role has been created with a dual remit anchored in a strategic push to increase the GSMA’s business with vertical industries. The first is to provide analytical support in the form of new industry benchmarks for a GSMA priority in attracting members from vertical industries outside the traditional core telecoms ecosystem. These include for example fintech and mobile commerce players, automated manufacturing plants, logistical supply chains involving drones and advanced public safety and transport networks, to cite a few.
The second, in parallel, is to be a key contributor to GSMA Intelligence research and products, by leveraging the newly created vertical sector benchmarks, helping to build on the strong revenue growth and continued momentum of the GSMA Intelligence consulting business.
The role will have three main facets:
1. Developing individual vertical sector benchmarks. This will involve building benchmarks targeted at specific industries seeking to do business in, or partner with, telecom operators. There will be 3 priority industries for which benchmarks will be constructed in the first year using a common structure:
- Metrics. Each benchmark will include metrics that assess telecom infrastructure, services and regulations (as relevant) pertinent to the respective industry in assessing if/how to extend their own business into the telecoms ecosystem or to partner with telecom operators.
- Geographic granularity. Metrics will be shown on with geographic granularity, potentially at country level, with this dependent on data availability, relevance and economic size. Sources will include a mix of proprietary and 3rd parties.
2. Support GSMA Intelligence consulting business. The new vertical benchmarks will be a valuable addition to the range of benchmarks developed for the GSMA Intelligence consulting business. The role will work with other analysts and economists to embed the benchmarks in existing commercial outputs (syndicated research and consulting) and as a USP in pitching new projects, particularly to companies in sectors the benchmarks cover. While the vertical sectors are the priority, there is also be scope for the role to develop additional benchmarks, advise or lead on updating existing benchmarks, and support strategic partnerships with 3rd parties that GSMA Intelligence is involved in.
3. Stakeholder engagement. Working with a variety of internal and external partners is a crucial part of doing the job successfully. That is because the outputs support multiple teams in the GSMA alongside the GSMA Intelligence business. The principal touchpoint outside of GSMA Intelligence will be to work with the GSMA membership, marketing and technology teams through the build, validation and delivery process. The person may also interact with other GSMA teams through our internal consulting projects that draw on the benchmarks or outputs that stem from them such as reports and indices. Touchpoints in GSMA Intelligence will include analysts, economists and our sales and marketing professionals. Externally, the role may interact with selected consultancies retained by the GSMA and with potential clients through pitches and presentation support.
Ultimately, team and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do, with this role no different. If anything, it will be more-so because it drives new content that can enhance several product areas.
About You
- You are a proven analyst, consultant or data scientist with a love for working with data and, crucially, being able to articulate the meaning of data to audiences. Questions such as ‘Why does this matter to your business?’, ‘What do you still need to understand to help make informed decisions?’ and ‘What limitations should you be aware of?’ are top of mind for you when thinking about the value of benchmarks or other outputs from the perspective of customers.
- You have developed a strong set of quant skills, use of statistics, and are highly competent working with large datasets in excel. Experience in other quantitative analytics software packages such as Stata or R is not required but would be a plus. The candidate will also be adept at primary and secondary research, with the ability to quickly develop detailed knowledge and actionable insights, including in new areas as required.
- You also have experience with visualisation tools (e.g. Tableau and Power BI) and can bring tactical nous in suggesting new ways of exposing datasets to customers and internal stakeholders to provide a balance of detail vs. ease of use. Experience in the telecoms or technology industries would be highly beneficial but is not required. Strong applicants with no experience in these areas will also be considered.
- The candidate will be an exceptional, clear and persuasive communicator, both in writing and in person. The outputs of their work will include public facing reports and compelling, actionable insights which are ready to be embedded into the GSMA’s programmes. They will have the ability to get consistent internal and external buy-in for their work.
- You are a clear and ambitious thinker who works best in a team environment, taking the best of everyone’s strengths towards a common aim whether or not you manage them. Creativity and experimentation is a part of our DNA. To that end, you will also be comfortable taking risk, operating in times of uncertainty, and being able to cut through the chaff to give yourself and organisation the best chance to win.
- Above all else, you bring energy and enthusiasm to work, have clear goals with a laser focus, and take the long view to success.
Contract type
Short term Contractor Worker type
Contingent Worker What We Offer
Working at the GSMA offers you unparalleled access to the mobile industry. We offer a chance to truly shape the direction of mobile, whatever your role. By joining the GSMA, you will be exposed to a fast-paced rapidly evolving environment, working on global solutions, genuinely fascinating and industry-changing projects and a stimulating and dynamic environment designed to enable you to flourish.
In addition to architect-designed offices and competitive compensation, our benefits include fantastic learning & development opportunities, generous holiday allowances, four additional days off for professional development and many others.
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page. Being You at the GSMA
We are one of the most diverse companies you will ever come across, we care deeply about equality and inclusivity and aspire to be the best at it. Your well-being and work/life balance is important so if you prefer to work flexi-time or a day from home, just ask. We’re keen to ensure everyone is equal, represented and connected so we particularly encourage applications from all demographics. The success of the GSMA year on year will continue to be contributed by people from all walks of life.
GSMA Values
Our values not only drive our culture – they shape how we work and interact inside and outside our global organisation.
Passionately driven
We approach everything we do with unparalleled capability, tenacity and commitment, knowing that the challenging scale, pace and complexity of our work is what leads to its world-changing impact.
Insightful leaders
We continually develop and engage our expertise, insight and creativity so that we’re always ready to respond to the changing landscape with authority, agility and nuance.
Stronger together
We lean on each other so the industry can lean on us, embracing our diversity by actively seeking out perspectives and skill sets beyond our own, fuelling each other’s successes and constantly asking how we can help.
Underpinning our values is our collective mindset to show up purposefully as good human beings every day, in every situation. When we’re at our best – we are collaborative, considerate and compassionate to others, and we create a safe space for one another to thrive, assuming positive intent in our colleagues. And if we aren’t at our best and the pressure is on – we feel free to be ourselves but still remain curious, lean into the tough stuff and we are always respectful to others and accountable for the part we play.
