Data Governance Manager
Role details
Job location
Tech stack
Job description
We're looking for a Data Governance Lead to establish, embed, and continuously improve our data governance framework across the organisation. Reporting to the Interim Director of Data and BI, you will lead the development of governance policies, standards, and controls that strengthen trust in data, improve quality, support regulatory compliance, and enable the responsible use of information across the business.
The successful candidate will bring strong hands-on experience of Microsoft Purview, including data cataloguing, lineage, and sensitivity labels, together with a strong understanding of data quality frameworks, GDPR, and wider data privacy requirements. You will work closely with stakeholders across business and technical teams to define governance expectations, coordinate data stewardship activity, and ensure that policies are practical, proportionate, and aligned to operational needs.
AI governance will be an important part of this role. You will help shape the controls, oversight, and accountability needed for the safe, ethical, and compliant adoption of AI, ensuring that data used in AI-enabled processes is appropriately classified, governed, and managed in line with organisational policy and regulatory expectations., Data Governance and Policy Leadership
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the organisation's data governance framework, policies, standards, and controls.
- Establish clear governance principles for data ownership, stewardship, classification, retention, access, and accountability across the data lifecycle.
- Write, maintain, and socialise data governance policies and supporting guidance to ensure consistent understanding and adoption across the organisation.
- Use Microsoft Purview to support data discovery, cataloguing, lineage visibility, and sensitivity labelling across key data assets.
- Coordinate and support data stewards and business stakeholders to embed governance responsibilities within operational teams.
Data Quality, Privacy and AI Governance
- Define and promote data quality standards, measures, and improvement frameworks to strengthen confidence in critical data used for reporting, operations, and decision-making.
- Work with legal, security, and operational teams to support compliance with GDPR and related data privacy requirements, ensuring appropriate handling of personal and sensitive information.
- Provide governance oversight for AI-related initiatives, helping define appropriate controls for data usage, classification, transparency, risk management, and responsible adoption.
- Ensure that AI governance considerations are incorporated into wider data governance practices, including data sourcing, lineage, privacy, retention, and access management.
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to influence good governance practice, resolve issues, and support a culture of accountability for data.
- Monitor governance maturity, identify gaps and risks, and recommend practical improvements that balance control, compliance, and business enablement.
Requirements
Do you have a valid Certificate in Payroll Practice, Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals certification?, Do you have experience in Data management?, This role is suited to someone with 8+ years of experience in data governance and data quality, ideally gained in regulated industries, who can combine strong governance expertise with effective stakeholder engagement and pragmatic delivery., * Microsoft Purview (Data Catalog, Lineage, Sensitivity Labels) - Strong experience using Purview to manage data discovery, classification, lineage tracking, and information protection across enterprise environments.
- Data Quality Frameworks - Proven ability to design and implement data quality standards, controls, and monitoring processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data.
- GDPR & Data Privacy Regulations - In-depth knowledge of GDPR and broader data protection requirements, with experience embedding compliance into data processes and governance frameworks.
- Stakeholder Management & Policy Writing - Extensive experience engaging senior stakeholders and producing clear, effective data governance policies, standards, and procedures.
- Data Stewardship Coordination - Experience establishing and working with data stewards, driving ownership, accountability, and best practices across business and technical teams.
- AI Governance - Strong understanding of AI governance principles, including risk management, ethical considerations, and implementation of controls and oversight mechanisms.
- Certifications (Preferred) - Relevant certifications such as SC-100 or SC-401, DAMA CDMP, BCS Data Protection, or IAPP CIPP/E, demonstrating expertise in security, governance, and data management.
Benefits & conditions
Pulled from the full job description
- Employee assistance programme
- Company pension
- Paid volunteer time
- Private medical insurance
- Cycle to work scheme, Our comprehensive benefit package includes:
- 25 days holiday rising to 30 with each year of service
- Private Medical Insurance covering dental and optical
- Company pension scheme
- Life Assurance - 4x your annual salary
- 1 day paid volunteering per year
- Enhanced maternity / paternity offerings
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to a gym