Meet Jade - a Lead Data Analyst at Grayce

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