United Kingdom · Technology and data · Principal/Manager (12-16 years)

Statistical Analyst Manager

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

Free to start: a plan built for this role, and a Future Fluency module to try first. No card.

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One email: what AI is changing in this job, the new skills it asks for, where it leads, and where to start free. With a link back here. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

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  • Experience bandPrincipal/Manager (12-16 years)
  • Direct reports5-8 reports
  • Reports toDirector of Statistics & Analytics
  • UK framework levelUsually someone running a function, or a director

Also advertised as Principal Statistical Analyst · Head of Statistical Modelling · Senior Manager, Analytics · Lead Statistician

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in qualifications employers recognise

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Data Science OTHM Qualifications · Level 7 · covers 5 of 10 standards
NOCN Level 4 certificate for Data Analysts NOCN · Level 4 · covers 6 of 10 standards
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing for England Pearson Education Ltd · Level 5 · covers 4 of 10 standards
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Computing for England Pearson Education Ltd · Level 4 · covers 3 of 10 standards
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Digital Technologies Pearson Education Ltd · Level 5 · covers 2 of 10 standards
Highfield Level 3 Diploma for Team Leaders and Supervisors (RQF) Highfield Qualifications · Level 3 · covers 2 of 10 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Data Analysis and Visualisation OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Data Science
Data Analytics Primer NOCN Level 4 certificate for Data Analysts
Data Analytics Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing for England
Data Analysis Highfield Level 3 Diploma for Team Leaders and Supervisors (RQF)

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Automation Fluency building AI into how work runs
Change Fluency taking people through change
Your Plan Illustration

Built for Statistical Analyst Manager

4 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Data Analysis and Visualisation OTHM Qualifications · covers 5 of 10 standards Level 7
  2. Data Analytics Primer NOCN · covers 6 of 10 standards Level 4
  3. Data Analytics Pearson Education Ltd · covers 4 of 10 standards Level 5
  4. Data Analysis Highfield Qualifications · covers 2 of 10 standards Level 3
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a Statistical Analyst Manager?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • AI Strategy & Ethical Governance
  • Change Leadership in Data Transformation
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Statistical Analyst Manager plan as you set up, starting with a Future Fluency module on using AI in your job. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

3What this role really is

A statistical analyst manager leads a team of analysts, checking their work and making sure it solves real business problems. The job combines statistical leadership with managing people, with responsibility for the quality and impact of the team's output.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

R & Python (with advanced libraries) Expert

Architecting reusable functions, packages, and analytical frameworks for the team. Providing expert code reviews and debugging support. Leading the adoption of new statistical libraries (e.g., `stan`, `lme4`, advanced `scikit-learn`).

Advanced SQL (e.g., PostgreSQL, BigQuery) Expert

Designing complex queries for data extraction and transformation on large datasets. Optimising query performance. Working with Data Engineering on schema design and data modelling for analytical purposes.

BI & Visualization Platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) Advanced

Setting standards for data visualisation and reporting across the team. Designing complex, interactive dashboards for executive consumption. Governing the use of the enterprise BI platform and ensuring data integrity within reports.

Cloud Analytics Platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Databricks) Advanced

Designing and advocating for scalable, cost-effective cloud analytics solutions. Working with Data Engineering on data lake/warehouse integration. Overseeing the deployment and monitoring of analytical models in the cloud.

Version Control (Git/GitHub) & CI/CD Advanced

Implementing and enforcing robust version control practices across the team. Leading code reviews. Architecting CI/CD pipelines for analytical models to ensure reproducibility, quality, and automated deployment.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Analytical Methodology Selection Follows prescribed methods; escalates deviations. Chooses appropriate methods for routine problems; consults on novel ones. Designs and validates new methodologies; sets standards for specific problem types.
Project Prioritisation & Resource Allocation Executes assigned tasks; no input on prioritisation. Manages own task queue; provides input on project feasibility. Prioritises own workstreams; influences project sequencing within their domain.
Hiring & Team Structure No involvement. May participate in interview panels as a peer. Conducts technical interviews; provides feedback on candidate fit.
Budget Management (Tools & Training) No involvement. May suggest tools or training needs. Recommends specific tools or training programmes for their workstream.

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Team Project Impact
Percentage of team's analytical projects that directly lead to a measurable business decision or change.
Target · >75% of projects result in a clear launch, kill, or iterate decision.

Q2 saw 8 out of 10 major team analyses directly inform a product feature release, a marketing campaign adjustment, or a change in operational process.

Team Analytical Throughput
The number of high-quality, impactful analyses completed by the team per quarter, balanced with complexity.
Target · Average of 15-20 significant analyses or models deployed per quarter across the team.

Last quarter, your team delivered 18 validated A/B test analyses, 3 predictive models, and 5 deep-dive investigations, all meeting quality standards.

Team Member Development
Measurable growth and progression of your direct reports, including skill acquisition and career advancement.
Target · At least 20% of direct reports achieve a promotion or significant skill milestone annually.

Two junior analysts on your team were promoted to Statistical Analyst within 18 months, demonstrating independent ownership of complex tasks.

Cost-Benefit of Analytical Solutions
The estimated financial return (revenue uplift or cost saving) generated by your team's deployed analytical solutions.
Target · Directly contribute to £500K - £2M in P&L impact annually.

A pricing optimisation model developed by your team led to a 3% increase in average transaction value, equating to £1.2M in additional revenue over 12 months.

Stakeholder Confidence & Trust
How much key business leaders rely on your team's insights for strategic planning and critical decision-making.
  • Evidence: Your team is proactively consulted at the outset of new initiatives. Senior leaders frequently reference your team's findings in executive meetings. They trust your team's caveats and limitations as much as the headline numbers. You'll see this in invitations to strategic planning sessions and direct requests for your input on high-stakes problems.
Analytical Rigour & Reproducibility
The consistency and quality of statistical methodologies and code practices across your team.
  • Evidence: Code reviews consistently highlight robust, well-documented, and reproducible analyses. Audits of past projects confirm adherence to best practices. New team members can quickly pick up and understand existing analytical pipelines without extensive hand-holding. There are clear standards for model validation and assumption checking.
Team Morale & Retention
The overall health and engagement of your team, reflecting your effectiveness as a leader.
  • Evidence: High scores in team engagement surveys. Low voluntary attrition rates compared to industry benchmarks. Team members actively participate in knowledge sharing and peer support. They feel challenged, supported, and see a clear path for growth under your leadership.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Building High-Performing Teams

You'll spend time coaching individual analysts, helping them unstick tricky problems, and celebrating their successes. You'll design development plans and actively seek out growth opportunities for your team members. This shows up in regular 1:1s focused on career, not just tasks.

Example: You successfully mentored a junior analyst from L1 to L3 within two years, seeing them take on complex projects independently and mentor others.

Driving Strategic Impact Through Data

You're not content with just delivering numbers; you want to see those numbers change the business. You'll actively seek out high-impact problems, challenge existing assumptions, and ensure your team's work is directly tied to company objectives. This means presenting to VPs and Directors, influencing their decisions.

Example: Your team's customer segmentation model led to a complete overhaul of our marketing spend, resulting in a 15% increase in ROI for key campaigns.

Shaping Analytical Excellence

You're passionate about the craft of statistics and analytics. You'll set and enforce high standards for methodology, code quality, and documentation. You'll foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement within your team, bringing in new techniques and tools. This involves leading internal workshops and championing best practices.

Example: You introduced a new Bayesian A/B testing framework that significantly reduced decision-making time for product experiments, becoming a team standard.

What frustrates people
  • Having to constantly justify the 'why' behind rigorous statistical methods to stakeholders who just want a quick answer.
  • Dealing with internal politics or conflicting priorities that derail your team's planned work.
  • The challenge of hiring and retaining top analytical talent in a competitive market.
  • Balancing the need for innovation with the reality of maintaining legacy systems or processes.
  • Seeing your team's brilliant analysis ignored or misinterpreted by senior leadership.
What this role does not give you
  • A purely individual contributor (IC) path – you'll have direct reports and management responsibilities.
  • A static, predictable environment – priorities shift, data sources change, and new challenges emerge constantly.
  • The luxury of always working on 'clean' data – you'll still deal with messy data, but now you'll be guiding your team through it.
  • A role where you can avoid difficult conversations or conflict – leadership often means navigating tricky situations.

8Who you work with

You'll shape the analytical capability within your domain, directly influencing product development, customer acquisition strategies, and operational decision-making. Your team's work will provide the evidence base for significant investments and strategic pivots, with a direct line to P&L outcomes. This role is about building a lasting analytical asset for the company.

Inside the business
  • Product Leadership
  • Engineering Managers
  • Marketing Directors
  • Finance Business Partners
  • Data Engineering Leads
  • Senior Leadership Team
Outside the business
  • Key Technology Vendors (e.g., cloud providers)
  • Industry Bodies (for best practice alignment)
  • External Consultants (on specific projects)

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • Proven experience (at least 3 years) leading or mentoring a team of analysts or data scientists, with demonstrable impact on their growth.
  • A track record of designing, implementing, and delivering complex statistical projects from inception to business impact, not just individual tasks.
  • Expert-level proficiency in at least one statistical programming language (R or Python) and advanced SQL, with a portfolio of robust, reproducible analytical work.
  • Strong understanding of experimental design, causal inference, and advanced statistical modelling techniques, with practical experience applying them to real-world business problems.
  • Demonstrable ability to communicate complex technical concepts and findings clearly and persuasively to non-technical executive audiences.
  • Experience in managing project backlogs, prioritising work, and allocating resources effectively across multiple concurrent initiatives.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Advanced Bayesian Statistics & Probabilistic Programming

Bayesian methods offer a more intuitive way to incorporate prior knowledge and quantify uncertainty, which is increasingly valuable for robust decision-making, especially with smaller datasets or complex causal inference problems. You'll need to guide your team on when and how to apply these.

Bayesian inference principles · Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods · Hierarchical Bayesian models · Probabilistic programming languages (e.g., Stan, P · Interpreting posterior distributions and credible

  • This quarter: Complete an advanced online course on Bayesian statistics.
  • Next quarter: Lead a small internal project where your team applies Bayesian methods to a real business problem.
  • Month 4-6: Introduce a new Bayesian A/B testing framework or a probabilistic forecasting model to your team.
  • Month 7-9: Present the benefits and challenges of Bayesian methods to senior stakeholders.

Quick win: Start exploring the `brms` package in R or `PyMC` in Python for a simple regression problem. It's about getting a feel for the syntax and concepts.

Scalable Data Architecture for Analytics

As data volumes grow, understanding the underlying data architecture becomes critical for designing efficient analytical solutions. You'll need to work closely with Data Engineering to ensure your team has access to the right data, in the right format, at scale.

Data lake vs. data warehouse architectures · ELT/ETL pipelines and their limitations · Stream processing vs. batch processing · Data governance and metadata management · Cloud data platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks,

  • This quarter: Schedule regular syncs with Data Engineering leads to understand their roadmap.
  • Next quarter: Review your team's most data-intensive analyses and identify bottlenecks related to data access or processing.
  • Month 4-6: Propose improvements to a key data pipeline that would benefit your team's efficiency.
  • Month 7-9: Lead a cross-functional initiative to improve data quality for a critical business domain.

Quick win: Spend a day shadowing a Data Engineer to understand their workflow and challenges. It'll give you invaluable context for your own team's needs.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly attend industry conferences (e.g., Strata Data & AI, ODSC) to stay current on emerging trends and network with peers.
  • Contribute to open-source projects or publish articles/blog posts on advanced statistical methods or team leadership in analytics.
  • Actively participate in leadership training programmes, focusing on areas like executive presence, strategic negotiation, and change management.
  • Engage in peer mentoring circles with other managers or directors within the company to share best practices and challenges.
  • Take advanced courses on specific statistical techniques (e.g., causal inference, Bayesian modelling) that are becoming relevant to our business.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

AI Strategy & Ethical Governance

With the rapid advancement of AI and large language models (LLMs), managers need to understand how to strategically integrate these tools into workflows, not just for individual productivity but for team efficiency and ethical compliance. We need to know when to use AI, when not to, and how to ensure fairness and transparency.

  • AI model lifecycle management (MLOps)
  • Bias detection and mitigation in AI models
  • Explainable AI (XAI) principles
  • Data privacy in AI applications
  • Regulatory frameworks for AI (e.g., EU AI Act)

Change Leadership in Data Transformation

Organisations are constantly undergoing data transformations, whether it's migrating to a new cloud platform, adopting new data governance models, or integrating AI. As a manager, you'll need to effectively lead your team through these changes, managing resistance, communicating benefits, and ensuring smooth transitions.

  • Kotter's 8-step change model
  • Stakeholder mapping and engagement for change init
  • Communication strategies for organisational change
  • Building a culture of continuous improvement
  • Measuring the success of change initiatives

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Advanced Experimental Design & Causal Inference
  • Statistical Modelling & Machine Learning Strategy
  • Sampling Methodologies & Bias Mitigation
  • Data Governance & Quality Frameworks
  • Statistical Software & Language Strategy

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    Senior Statistical Analyst (L3) or Lead Statistical Analyst (L4)

    3-5 years at L3/L4

    Skills to master

    • Mastering complex project leadership, mentoring junior colleagues, influencing cross-functional technical roadmaps, and demonstrating consistent delivery of high-impact analytical solutions. You'd need to show you can take full ownership of a significant workstream.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Consistently sought out by leadership for advice on complex analytical problems.
    • Successfully led 2-3 major analytical projects end-to-end, with clear business outcomes.
    • Actively mentored and developed junior team members, seeing them grow in capability.
    • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders and manage expectations.
  2. 2

    Data Science Manager (from another organisation)

    Direct entry, assuming relevant experience

    Skills to master

    • Strong leadership of data science or analytics teams, proven track record of driving strategic impact, deep technical expertise in statistical modelling and experimental design, and excellent stakeholder management. You'd need to adapt to our specific industry context and tech stack quickly.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Managed a team of 5+ data scientists/analysts for at least 3 years.
    • Led initiatives that resulted in significant P&L impact (e.g., £500K+).
    • Can articulate a clear vision for an analytics function and how to achieve it.
    • Comfortable presenting complex technical strategies to C-suite executives.
  3. 3

    Consultant (Specialising in Analytics/Data Science)

    Direct entry, with 5+ years of relevant consulting experience

    Skills to master

    • Expertise in diverse analytical methodologies, strong problem-framing and solution design skills, exceptional client (stakeholder) management, and experience leading project teams. You'd need to demonstrate the ability to transition from project-based consulting to building and managing an internal team.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Led multiple data strategy or analytics implementation projects for large clients.
    • Managed project teams and delivered against tight deadlines.
    • Proven ability to influence senior client stakeholders.
    • Can articulate how consulting experience translates to building internal capabilities.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This work can lead to roles such as vp of data science or chief data officer, or head of product for data-driven products.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Statistical Analyst Manager is actually changing.

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Data Analysis and Visualisation, worked against Statistical Analyst Manager.

Data Analysis and Visualisation Level 7

Applied to your work in Statistical Analyst Manager

1. To enable the learner to critically analyse the theoretical underpinnings of data analytics and their impact on decision-making in business management contexts. 2. To enable the learner to assess diverse data analysis activities, techniques, and tools applicable to business management scenarios. 3. To enable the learner to compare and contrast various predictive analytic techniques, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses in forecasting future business events. 4. To enable the learner to evaluate how predictive analytic techniques can be practically implemented for forecasting purposes within the business sector. 5. To enable the learner to evaluate prescriptive analytic techniques, illustrating their application with relevant examples from the business management domain. 6. To enable the learner to apply a suitable programming language or data analysis tool to conduct data analysis and visualisation tasks related to business management problems.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

See Your Progress Grow Illustration
Statistical Analyst Manager
  • Advanced Experimental Design & Causal Inference
  • Statistical Modelling & Machine Learning Strategy
  • Sampling Methodologies & Bias Mitigation
  • Data Governance & Quality Frameworks
  • Statistical Software & Language Strategy
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Statistical Analyst Manager is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. Director of Statistics & Analytics (L6)

    3-5 years as a Statistical Analyst Manager

    This is a significant jump, moving from managing a team to managing managers, and owning the entire analytics strategy for a major product line or business unit.

    • Enterprise Analytics Strategy Crafting a holistic data and analytics strategy across the entire organisation.
    • Vendor & Partner Management Building and maintaining strategic relationships with key external partners.
    • M&A Due Diligence & Integration Assessing and integrating analytical capabilities during mergers and acquisitions.
    • Board-Level Communication Presenting complex analytical strategies and outcomes to the board of directors.
  2. Principal Statistical Analyst (Advanced IC Path)

    3-5 years as a Statistical Analyst Manager (or direct from L4)

    This is an alternative, highly respected individual contributor path, focusing on tackling the most complex, ambiguous statistical problems for the entire organisation without direct reports.

    • Research & Development Leading internal R&D efforts into new statistical techniques or their application.
    • Methodology Evangelism Championing and training the broader analytics community on advanced statistical practices.
    • Cross-Organisational Problem Solving Tackling ambiguous, high-impact problems that span multiple business units.
    • External Representation Representing the company's statistical expertise at industry conferences or academic forums.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

As a Statistical Analyst Manager, your time is precious. Imagine if your team could spend less time on tedious tasks and more on high-value, strategic analysis and innovation. That's where AI comes in. We're not talking about replacing your team; we're talking about empowering them to be significantly more productive and impactful.

AI isn't just for individual contributors anymore. For a manager, it's a powerful lever to amplify your team's output, streamline workflows, and ensure consistent quality. It means less time chasing data and more time driving insights that matter.

Strategic Code Generation & Review

Guide AI tools to generate complex statistical models or data pipelines, then use AI for automated code reviews to ensure adherence to best practices and identify potential bugs. This frees your senior analysts to focus on architectural design and novel problem-solving, while junior members get high-quality code faster.

Advanced Hypothesis Generation & Validation

Use AI to rapidly explore massive datasets, identifying potential correlations, anomalies, and segments that could inform new hypotheses for your team to rigorously test. This accelerates the 'discovery' phase, allowing your analysts to focus on the statistical validation, not just the initial hunt.

Automated Report & Presentation Drafting

After your team completes an analysis, feed the technical findings and key insights into an AI. It can then draft executive summaries, presentation slides, and even different versions tailored for various stakeholder groups, saving hours of manual writing and formatting. You'll review and refine, not start from scratch.

Methodology & Best Practice Synthesis

When faced with a complex statistical challenge, use AI to quickly summarise relevant academic papers, compare different modelling approaches, and synthesise best practices for your team. It's like having a research assistant who can digest hundreds of pages in minutes, helping you make informed decisions on methodology faster.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Statistical Analyst Manager?

Common routes in include Senior Statistical Analyst or Lead Statistical Analyst (3-5 years at L3/L4), Data Science Manager (from another organisation) (Direct entry, assuming relevant experience) and Consultant (Specialising in Analytics/Data Science) (Direct entry, with 5+ years of relevant consulting experience). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Statistical Analyst Manager progress to?

This role can lead on to Director of Statistics & Analytics (3-5 years as a Statistical Analyst Manager) and Principal Statistical Analyst (Advanced IC Path) (3-5 years as a Statistical Analyst Manager (or direct from L4)), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Statistical Analyst Manager?

Increasingly, AI Strategy & Ethical Governance and Change Leadership in Data Transformation. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

Free tools

Want a read on where you stand?

Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.

17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 6

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

More jobs in technology and data

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.

If you leave this industry

Leading technical teams, using data to drive decisions, and applying advanced statistical methods are skills that carry across sectors. These skills can move into leadership roles in finance, healthcare, tech or government. Turning data into decisions matters in most industries.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my Statistical Analyst Manager plan, free What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.