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Skill Check · Data & AI

Head of BI / Analytics: skills & capabilities the market requires

Based on 558 real Head of BI / Analytics job postings, here is what companies actually require for this role today — the capabilities that define it, the hard skills named most often, the scope expected, typical experience and pay. The market leans hardest on Data & Analytics (86%) and Strategic Leadership (76%).

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Core capabilities for a Head of BI / Analytics
Data & Analytics86%
Strategic Leadership76%
Cross-functional Leadership51%
Executive Communication50%
Technical Depth44%
Stakeholder Management36%
People Leadership32%
Share of Head of BI / Analytics postings that call for each capability.
Most-required hard skills for a Head of BI / Analytics
SqlBusiness IntelligenceData AnalysisData AnalyticsData VisualizationData GovernanceStatistical Analysis
Leadership & soft skills
Cross-Functional CollaborationLeadershipStrategic ThinkingCommunication
Scope, experience & pay

Head of BI / Analytics roles expect deal / M&A experience in 0% of postings, IPO or capital-markets experience in 1%, and transformation experience in 28%. Typical stated experience is around 10 years. The pay signal from postings (base, where stated) runs $185K–$213K.

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Percentages are the share of postings that mention a signal, not a measure of importance. Baseline pilot. Quarter-over-quarter movement begins from the next collection. Levels covered: Director and above. Mid-level is not in this data. Real executive job postings, parsed for required skills, scope, credentials and compensation.