Meet the Strategy Analysts

Ever wonder about the engine driving a large finance business? It takes more than just transactions and algorithms - it takes strategy. At Capital One, our Strategy Analysts are the core thinkers who shape the future of our business, tackling some of the most complex and exciting challenges in the industry.

But what exactly is a Strategy Analyst, and what does day in their life look like? To give you a real glimpse, we sat down with some of our brightest minds: Lucy, Nathan, Alessa, Rebecca and Licheng.

What is a Strategy Analyst?

A Strategy Analyst at Capital One is an internal consultant. They don't just crunch numbers; they use data, working with product and tech teams to deliver better customer experiences.

They might be figuring out the best way to launch a new product, optimising how we serve our millions of customers, or exploring new markets for growth. It’s a role that demands curiosity, sharp analytical skills, and the ability to clearly communicate complex ideas to senior leadership.

Lucy: Manager, Product Strategy

Lucy joined the business as Senior Strategy Analyst in 2022 and now leads a team in Product Strategy.

On her current role: ”My role involves overseeing the products and brands we make available to customers via price comparison websites. I find seeing the difference our changes are making in market to be one of the most satisfying aspects of my strategy analyst role, especially when I may have had to collaborate with multiple teams across the business to get something live.”

A typical challenge: "Last month, my team and I were exploring a new segment of the market. This involved better tailoring our product terms to specifically meet the needs of those customers. We have successfully used an iterative testing approach, building upon the insights from each test to deepen our understanding of the customers we aim to serve.”

What makes Capital One unique: "Right from the start, you get to own real business challenges, whether you're an intern or a Strategy Manager. You’re not on your own, Strategy Analysts work in tight-knit teams, meaning we constantly work with others who have diverse skill sets to tackle complex business challenges.”

Nathan: Senior Strategy Analyst

Attracted by the opportunity to deliver strategy directly into the market, Nathan joined Capital One in 2024 as a Senior Strategy Analyst.

Why did you choose Capital One? “I was in consulting before and wanted a role where I could actually implement strategy, moving past just advising. Capital One gave me that chance. A couple of things really grabbed me: First, the culture. They're big on development with mentorship and rotations, showing they seriously invest in their own people. Second, the chance for real responsibility and fast-track progression. I was an SME for a big part of the Strategy team within months."

A typical challenge: "Earlier this year, I worked with Product stakeholders to roll out a few changes to our mobile app that made setting up a payment plan easier. What was great about it was that I got to totally rethink the customer experience from scratch. We figured out what was working, what we could make better from the customer's point of view, and also kept the business impact in mind."

Alessa: Director of Strategy and Analytics, Customer Engagement

Alessa joined Capital One after a career in consulting and she now leads our Customer Engagement and Financial Support strategy.

On her current focus: "Right now, I'm working on defining our long-term roadmap for how we best engage and support our existing customers. For example, I work on promotional offers, digital engagement, collections solutions, post-default partnerships and cost-saving strategies. I work a lot with our operations teams, product and tech, and third-party suppliers.

On career development: “Capital One is genuinely invested in my professional journey. I’ve had the chance to participate in Credit College in the USA, an immersive program that significantly broadened my grasp of Capital One’s global business portfolio and the wider industry. I’ve also been on multiple structured courses focused on building core leadership competencies, strategic thinking, and essential people management skills. Alongside this, regular development conversations with my manager, mentors and coaches have helped me take on new challenges every year”

The skill that matters most: "Communication. We can have the most brilliant analysis in the world, but if we can't tell a compelling story about why it matters and what needs to change, it won't be implemented. Much of my day is spent preparing presentations and challenging ideas with stakeholders.”

Rebecca: Senior Strategy Analyst, Financial Support

Rebecca joined Capital One as a Graduate Strategy Analyst in 2022 and is part of the Financial Support team.

On her current role: "Since starting as a graduate, I've taken on bigger and more complex projects, which has increased my responsibilities and let me have a bigger, more positive impact on customers. I also really enjoy mentoring the new analysts.”

Could you describe a typical week in your role? "A typical week means diving deep into the data, figuring out how to solve tricky business problems and putting together solid strategy ideas. A really great part of the job is regularly getting to share and present these ideas to senior leaders, including the execs. This high-level visibility means our work makes a direct impact and the organisation really values what we do."

What is unique at Capital One: "The best part about being a Strategy Analyst is getting to drive major business decisions and projects super early in my career. I'm given the freedom to lead big areas of our overall business strategy, which means real, positive changes for our customers.”

Licheng: Director of Strategy and Analytics, Acquisition

Licheng started his journey in our Strategy Analyst Graduate programme and now leads our Acquisition growth team.

On his daily work: "I spend a lot of time looking outside of Capital One - at emerging technologies, recent innovations, and shifting economic trends. My team is currently scoping out growth opportunities in new technologies and markets and working closely with our marketing partners to serve even more customers.”

Why Capital One is unique for strategy: “We believe that investing in our talent is crucial. That's why we offer rotations and opportunities for people early in their career journey to explore various roles and areas across the business. I personally have experience in Acquisition, Valuations, Customer Management and Financial Support, and now, as a People Leader, I focus on coaching my team to achieve their full potential."

Interested?

Lucy, Nathan, Alessa, Rebecca and Licheng represent just a fraction of the talent driving Capital One forward. A role as a Strategy Analyst is an opportunity to lead, innovate, and make a tangible impact on a massive scale. If you are passionate about problem-solving and ready to see your ideas come to life, this might be the perfect path for you.

See our open roles here.

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