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What's your role at Grayce?

I am a Lead Data Analyst! This means I am currently in Level 3 of my development programme. My role can come in many shapes and sizes at Grayce. I am placed with different clients who need more advanced data analytic capabilities. For example, I will soon be joining a client that needs me to use SQL to analyse millions of rows to extract insights relating to IoT devices and visualise such metrics in Tableau. Whilst previously, I have worked with clients who need me to use Excel and Power BI to help create an effective workforce planning solution. Typically, the business intelligence I generate is used to inform future strategies and help meet targets or mitigate problems.

How long have you been here?

I have been at Grayce since February 2022 where I joined as a Level 1 Data Analyst. That means I have been here for around 2 and a half years - it doesn’t feel that long!

What's been your Grayce journey so far?

I joined Grayce having only ever used R Studio to formally analyse data whilst at University. This wasn’t an issue though as I learned key skills in SQL, Python and Power BI very early on!

I joined my first client about 1 week after completing my training bootcamp and remained there for two years. Whilst there, I used Excel, Power Automate and Power BI to help create a workforce planning solution from the ground up. This is where I really honed my analytical thinking, data visualisation and transformation and stakeholder management skills which dramatically increased my confidence and competency in the data space. I even achieved Microsoft Certified status in Power BI!

I have also got involved in many Grayce initiatives. I helped lead the Skills+ Club where we set team data problem solving challenges to expand capability in tools like Python and won the annual Datathon. Recently I have obtained a further IBM qualification in Data Science and am studying towards another in Microsoft Azure Data Engineering.

What is your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement has probably been winning two G Awards as well as my personal growth in confidence and capability. Being recognised by my peers for my effort and passion for developing new technical skills is a fantastic feeling.

What has been the biggest challenge in starting a new role?

The biggest challenge I have faced in starting at a new role was trying to understand the landscape of the organisation and the many moving parts which informed how we achieved the end solution. At my previous client, we had to try to implement a workforce planning solution for about 30 teams which all worked slightly differently whilst also battling the cultural change of reporting work activities and time

7:30am: Wake up and jump on the tube to work. I’m not a morning person so never leave time for a coffee!

8:30am: Arrive at client office and finally get that much needed coffee with colleagues in the office. Mornings are the perfect time to catch up with everyone and build those important relationships before jumping in to check and reply to emails.

9:30-12pm: My most recent projects have been centred around creating communications materials for several workshops that are currently being facilitated by my colleagues. So, my mornings have been focused on content creation and feeding back to the rest of the time with updates.

12pm: Lunch. Getting to spend more time networking and chatting about things outside of work with everyone has really made me settle in and feel at home quickly on client site.

1pm: Team meeting. Post lunch our whole department gather in one room to discuss our progress from the week and agree on next steps. This is the time we take as a team to come together and occasionally we deep dive into a certain project and use it as a learning reflection.

2-5pm: In the afternoon I focus on any outstanding tasks I have. Work can vary from drafting important communications to updating SharePoint calendars, ensuring all staff are up to date with critical business information.

5:05pm: Time to leave the office and start the journey home. I’ve found the commute to and from work a good time to decompress and listen to podcasts.

6pm : Recently I have been spending an hour an evening to study for a project management exam I am taking soon. Ending the day with some personal development is something that's really helped me in my career so far, and hopefully will continue to do so.

6am: Wake up, shower and get ready!

6:55am: Walk to the station to get into London – early start most days!

7:55am: Arrive at work and wander upstairs to find a coffee before I fall back asleep.

8:30am: After chatting to my colleagues, I login and set up the laptop in its dock. Catch up on emails and prep for the morning meetings.

9am: I have my daily calls with the team just to see how everybody is getting on and what everyone’s days are looking like.

10:30-12:30pm: I dial in to the monthly project meeting where I review the collated data, with the project stakeholders, readying it for the quarterly review.

12:30 – 1:30pm: We all decide we are absolutely starving by this point, so we head to the holy grail of lunches, Wasabi!

1:30pm – 2pm: There is a fortnightly catch-up I have with my line manager – great to chat about how work life has been over the previous two weeks.

2:30pm – 4pm: We have performance board reviews with the stakeholders for the project, this is more for the formatting of the quarterly meetings and to make sure we are harnessing the insights correctly.

4pm-5pm: I log into complete anymore SQL Server Management queries that could be necessary for the data pack, off the back of the previous meeting.

5:05pm: Time to pack up the bag, fill up my water for the hot tube journey home and say goodbye to the team!

What's your role at Grayce?

Senior Project Analyst, on the Business Development Programme.

How long have you been here?

I have been with Grayce now for a total of 3 years!

What's been your Grayce journey so far?

My Grayce journey has been full of opportunities. My first client was a global Oil and Gas Company, where I was a Transformational Change Analyst. In this role, I was responsible for delivering end-to-end training, conducting impact analysis for end users, presenting to large audiences, managing documentation, and analysing surveys.

Beyond Client work, I have been involved in E1E, led Grayce initiatives, participated in coaching sessions, managed key Grayce projects, collaborated with HQ, and grown as a leader.

What has been your biggest challenge and greatest achievement?

When starting a new role, I think a big challenge is adjusting to change. The internal pressure to quickly learn new processes, systems and technical skills all whilst adapting to company culture can be overwhelming. Overcoming this by leaning on my Grayce colleagues and sharing my experiences has really given me a great sense of pride!

What's your role at Grayce?

My job title is L&D coordinator. My main role is to plan, organise and coordinate the training sessions that take place here at Grayce. On our development programme we have multiple sessions, bootcamps, and upskilling opportunities a week, meaning there is so much to organise and even more to get involved with as an Analyst.

How long have you been here?

I have been here around just over 1 year. I joined Grayce through the development programme and just recently gained my first promotion!

What's been your Grayce journey so far?

Whilst being an Analyst working in HQ, I have had huge exposure to different types of people around the business, allowing me to build a solid network.

What is your greatest achievement?

I’ve taken huge pride in knowing that I was a key collaborator in developing and implementing our new Analyst development Hub. This is our one stop shop for our Analyst’s learning journey and has had a positive impact on engaging our community.

What has been the biggest challenge in starting a new role?

Grayce is filled with talented people who can help you, but it is all about knowing who to ask for help on specific tasks. Being social, asking questions and getting to know everyone can seem daunting at the start, but it really helps get you up to speed and performing at a high level quickly.

She handles everything from conducting first stage interviews to matching Analysts with the perfect projects. You’ll find her happiest when speaking to new people! Check out what a typical day looks like for her:

7am: Wake up, breakfast, get ready!

8:15am: Walk to work – but not before checking to see if the umbrella is needed, it is Manchester after all!

8:25am: Arrive at work, chat with colleagues and grab a much-needed coffee from the fancy machine.

8:30am-9am: Catch up on emails and update our talent pipelines. Getting prepped and planned for the day ahead.

9am-10:30am: Morning stand ups and catch-up meetings with the team. Stand ups mean we get free breakfast so of course the whole team is in!

10:30-11am: Arranging 2nd stage interviews. Giving positive feedback on great first stage interviews and organising the important next steps.

11am – 12pm: Conducting 1st stage Interviews. Hearing graduates’ stories and experiences for the first time and learning more about their journey to applying for Grayce!

12pm – 1pm: Lunch! Each week we try and pick somewhere we have never been to try. Sometimes it works and sometimes it really doesn't......

1pm – 3pm: More interviewing! We hire graduates to begin their careers all year round which makes us incredibly busy.

3pm-3:30pm: I have my weekly catch up with Jess, my manager. This is my opportunity to reflect on the week, set goals and discuss any urgent requirements

3:30pm-5pm: This is the time when I get to wrap up a lot of my outstanding chats and deliver some exciting news to potential new Grayce Analysts.