Our client, a Defence and Security supplier is looking for a Principal Data Analyst to join them on a contract basis at their site in Reading. Due to the nature of the role, applicants must achieve SC Clearance ahead of starting.This role will be based in Reading with hybrid/custom working options where appropriate.5 month initial contract. 87.15 p/h Umbrella, inside IR35.What you will do as a Principal Data Analyst Lead the design and delivery of advanced analytics solutions across multiple projects.Oversee the design and maintenance of dashboards, reports and automated workflows using dashboarding tools and data warehousing solutions, such as SQL.Define and implement data governance, security, and compliance standards.Collaborate with architects, engineers and business leaders to shape data strategies and solutions.Provide expert advice and guidance to stakeholders on data-driven decision-making.Lead and mentor junior analysts, contributing to team capability development.Lead innovation by adopting emerging technologies and improving data practices.What you''ll bringStrong understanding and proven experience with data lifecycle, governance and quality principles.Advanced proficiency in data warehousing tools, such as SQL, for data manipulation and analysis.Expertise with data visualisation tools (Power BI, Tableau) and reporting automation.Proven experience with interpreting and communicating insights from large, complex datasets to diverse audiences.Proven experience influ