If you’re building a career in data, or thinking about making the move into consulting, this episode is for you.
Join Douglas Robertson, Director at DR Analytics Recruitment, as he sits down with Gerard McCarthy - former Head of Data & Analytics at Pioneer Credit and now Principal Consultant at Bailey Abbott.
Gerard’s journey spans 20 years: from accountant at EY, Bankwest and iiNet, to leading a 20-person data team inside an ASX-listed financial services company, and now helping grow a fast-scaling consultancy in WA. In this conversation, he shares what it actually takes to bridge finance, data and executive decision-making, and why leadership in analytics is more about trust and empathy than technical brilliance.
In this episode, we cover:
Moving from accounting into data
Leading a high-performing team of engineers, analysts and data scientists
The shift from internal leadership to client-facing consulting
What hiring managers really look for (beyond the CV)
Consulting vs in-house data roles, and who suits each path
Gerard also shares practical advice for aspiring data professionals: take broad opportunities, learn the business you serve and don’t underestimate the value of empathy in technical roles.
If you work in data, analytics, BI, engineering, AI, or you’re considering a move into consulting, this episode offers a grounded perspective on how careers in this space actually unfold and where the industry is heading next.
Want to learn more about Industry Inner Join?
Industry Inner Join is a community initiative that brings together Perth data professionals to connect and share industry insights.
Our aim is to uplift data literacy across Perth and Australia.
We host quarterly in-person and online events, bringing together analysts, engineers, and data leaders from across industries to share knowledge and build community.
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