Stakeholder Management – The New Must-Have Skill For Data Analysts
The role of the data analyst is shifting. Yes, technical skills like data cleaning, modelling and visualisation are still essential – they’re the foundations. But more and more, employers are looking beyond the technical. They want analysts who can influence, not just analyse.
The most in-demand analysts today are those who can connect with stakeholders, explain insights in plain English, and help drive decisions that matter.
Why Stakeholder Engagement Matters
Data only becomes valuable when it’s understood, trusted and used. And that’s where stakeholder engagement makes all the difference.
When it’s done well, it:
- Clarifies goals, expectations and timelines early.
- Builds trust between teams, even when priorities differ.
- Keeps analysis focused on real business questions, not just interesting data.
Proactive engagement helps flag risks sooner, cuts down on crossed wires, and ensures that insight leads to real action.
The Real Skills Gap? It’s Not Technical
We’re not short of people who can write Python or run a regression. What’s missing – and what businesses are really crying out for – is insight-led action.
Leaders across the industry say the same thing: the best analysts are the ones who can turn complexity into clarity. As Retina.ai puts it, stakeholder management is essential if you want your work to land and make an impact in the real world. And they’re right.
Consultancies like McKinsey, Deloitte and Accenture have been training analysts in stakeholder skills for years – because influence is as critical as accuracy.
And it’s not just about being able to talk – it’s about being able to connect. The ability to build trust, listen well, and guide people through difficult decisions is what separates a capable analyst from a trusted advisor.
A Human Skill That AI Won’t Replace
Stakeholder management is inherently human. AI can analyse, automate and even generate summaries but empathy, relationship-building, and nuanced negotiation? That’s still ours.
That’s why human skills remain the real differentiator. Analysts who can step into their stakeholders’ shoes, make sense of uncertainty, and tell a story with data in a non-technical way – they’re the ones making an impact.
How ENI can help candidates and employers?
If you’re a data analyst looking to level up – not just in code, but in your ability to influence – we’d love to support you. At Elizabeth Norman International, we work with clients who want more than just technically sound candidates – they want analysts who can find the real insights and communicate them with confidence.
Right now, we’re working with a private equity firm looking for a data scientist. Their main feedback on candidates? “Technically strong, but missing business acumen.”
Another health-tech client came to us after being frustrated by other recruiters sending keyword-matched CVs that lacked evidence of real insight.
We’re different.
Our team is trained in competency-based interviewing – we go beyond the buzzwords and really test for stakeholder and communication skills in interviews. That way, we only put forward candidates who can do the job – not just tick boxes.
If you’re looking for a new role or trying to find someone who can deliver both analysis and influence, get in touch.
James Webb
Director, Elizabeth Norman International
📧 james@elizabethnorman.com
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