This is a key point. Instead of using his data science skills to do pretty routine/repetitive stuff or asking for support with editing marketing material or tea

This is a key point. Instead of using his data science skills to do pretty routine/repetitive stuff or asking for support with editing marketing material or teach other staff how to set up spreadsheets, the OP's company is essentially permitting him to use company time to sharpen the data science skills he most want to sharpen (and if he actually wants to sharpen up his copywriting or teaching they might accept volunteers for that too!). That's not a bad place to be in for career development.