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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Value Research Technician

💰 $45,000 - $75,000

Data & AnalyticsResearchFinanceValuationAutomotiveReal Estate

🎯 Role Definition

The Value Research Technician is a pivotal analytical role responsible for determining the objective value of assets, products, or services through meticulous data collection, rigorous analysis, and the application of established valuation methodologies. This position sits at the intersection of data science, market research, and financial analysis, providing critical insights that inform strategic pricing, investment, and asset management decisions. A successful Value Research Technician combines a quantitative mindset with deep market curiosity, ensuring that all valuation outputs are accurate, defensible, and reflective of current market dynamics. They are the guardians of data integrity and the architects of the models that translate raw data into actionable business intelligence.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Data Analyst / Data Coordinator
  • Research Assistant
  • Pricing Administrator
  • Financial Analyst Intern

Advancement To:

  • Senior Value Research Analyst / Senior Valuation Specialist
  • Data Scientist
  • Valuation Manager
  • Market Research Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Business Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Competitive Intelligence Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive research and analysis on market trends, competitor activities, and economic factors to inform and refine valuation models.
  • Collect, process, and cleanse large volumes of structured and unstructured data from various internal and external sources, including sales records, market reports, and public databases.
  • Manage and maintain complex datasets and databases, ensuring the highest levels of data integrity, accuracy, and accessibility for ongoing research activities.
  • Develop, test, and implement sophisticated valuation methodologies and statistical models to accurately determine the value of specific assets, products, or services.
  • Perform regular audits and back-testing of valuation models to assess their performance and make necessary adjustments for improved accuracy.
  • Prepare and generate detailed valuation reports, dashboards, and presentations that clearly communicate complex findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Monitor real-time market fluctuations and news events, assessing their potential impact on asset values and providing timely updates to relevant business units.
  • Identify and analyze anomalies, outliers, and patterns in data that may indicate shifts in market behavior or require adjustments to valuation logic.
  • Collaborate with IT and data engineering teams to automate data collection processes and improve the efficiency of the valuation workflow.
  • Respond to inquiries from internal departments (such as sales, finance, and underwriting) regarding specific valuations, providing clear and well-supported explanations.
  • Document all research methodologies, data sources, and modeling assumptions to ensure transparency, repeatability, and compliance with internal standards.
  • Utilize geographic information systems (GIS) and other specialized tools to incorporate location-based factors into valuation analyses.
  • Track the performance of historical valuations against actual transaction prices to continuously refine predictive accuracy.
  • Contribute to the development of new data-driven products or services by providing foundational market value insights.
  • Stay current with industry best practices, new technologies, and emerging trends in data analysis and valuation science.
  • Analyze and interpret historical data to forecast future value trends and provide long-term market outlooks.
  • Create and maintain a comprehensive library of market data, competitor information, and economic indicators relevant to the organization's industry.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer emergent business questions.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader data strategy and roadmap by identifying new potential data sources and analytical tools.
  • Collaborate with various business units to translate their data and valuation needs into technical and engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning, retrospectives, and other agile ceremonies as a member of the wider data and analytics team.
  • Assist in training junior team members or other departments on how to use and interpret valuation tools and reports.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Excel Proficiency: Mastery of complex formulas, pivot tables, VLOOKUP/INDEX(MATCH), macros, and data modeling within Excel.
  • Database Management & SQL: Strong ability to write and optimize SQL queries for data extraction, manipulation, and analysis from relational databases (e.g., SQL Server, PostgreSQL).
  • Statistical Analysis: Solid understanding of statistical concepts and experience applying them using software like R, Python (with Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn), or SPSS.
  • Data Visualization: Proficiency in creating clear and impactful charts, graphs, and dashboards using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even advanced Excel charting.
  • Data Wrangling: Proven experience in cleaning, transforming, and preparing messy, real-world data for analysis.
  • Valuation Modeling: Knowledge of and experience with building and maintaining financial or statistical models for valuation or forecasting purposes.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: An unwavering commitment to accuracy and precision, with the ability to spot inconsistencies in large datasets.
  • Analytical & Critical Thinking: The ability to dissect complex problems, identify key variables, and use data to draw logical, well-supported conclusions.
  • Problem-Solving: A proactive and resourceful approach to overcoming data challenges and refining analytical methods.
  • Strong Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal ability to articulate complex technical findings and valuation logic to a non-technical audience.
  • Organizational Skills: The capacity to manage multiple research projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in a quantitative or business-related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's degree in a relevant field or professional certifications (e.g., CVA - Certified Valuation Analyst, ASA - Accredited Senior Appraiser).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Statistics
  • Data Science
  • Mathematics
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5 years of experience in a role involving data analysis, market research, or valuation.

Preferred:

  • Direct experience within the specific industry of the hiring organization (e.g., automotive, real estate, financial services) is highly desirable. Experience working with large, industry-specific datasets is a significant plus.
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