Wanted: freelance data analyst for The Spectator

Every successful digital publication has one thing in common: brilliant analytical people working hand-in-glove with editors. We’re looking to hire such a person. We have a strong data team at The Spectator which allowed us to scrutinise Sage in lockdown and allows us, now, to look at how we can better serve our own readers.

This is not about chasing clicks – it’s about helping us create an app and a website that reads as easily and intuitively as the magazine. We need to identify and eliminate any point of friction that annoys our subscribers and do what we can to make it easy for them to find the best of what we have to offer. In the digital age, where most people download an app as soon as they subscribe, we’re judged – quite rightly – by how easy our tech is to use. There’s no point in having world class journalism if our subscribers cannot access it, or struggle to update their card details. To get all of this right is to secure the future of journalism.

We need to analyse metrics, determine what’s working and what needs improving. We already use data extensively to achieve this but the workload is an ever growing one.

We’re looking for a competent Python user, ideally with an understanding of how subscription and traffic data is used. It means using Google Analytics heavily, but GA is easy to learn, so prior experience with this is not essential. You’ll be working closely with The Spectator’s data team and its senior editors on a number of projects to automate our analytics, provide answers to ad hoc requests and assist with occasional editorial data tasks. 

The role is a freelance one where work can be done any time of day or night; some weeks busy, some weeks quiet. As such, the role would be well suited to someone (or perhaps a team of people) looking to earn some income on the side. It would work out at about £18/hour. We have work to be getting on with straight away so early applications are encouraged.

If you’re interested, please email msimmons@spectator.co.uk saying a bit about yourself and any relevant experience. No CVs please: all that matters is if you can do the job.