Data Governance Lead

We are seeking a senior Data Governance Subject Matter Expert to help define, embed, and continuously improve data governance across Shell’s energy trading landscape. This role will provide leadership across governance strategy, operating model, policy, standards, stewardship, metadata, data quality, lineage, and control frameworks to ensure that trading data is trusted, well-managed, fit for purpose, and supports commercial, risk, finance, regulatory, and strategic decision-making.

The successful candidate will be a strong all-rounder: equally comfortable shaping governance strategy at leadership level and driving practical implementation across front, middle, and back-office data domains. They will bring a structured, enterprise-wide view of data governance, while also being able to work hands-on with business and technology teams to improve data ownership, controls, and data management maturity.

What you’ll be doing

• Define and evolve the data governance framework , operating model, and control environment for energy trading data.
• Establish and embed clear data ownership and stewardship responsibilities across business and technology teams.
• Develop and maintain data governance policies, standards, procedures, and decision forums .
• Lead the creation and adoption of business glossaries, critical data element definitions, metadata standards, and data cataloguing practices .
• Drive data quality management , including rules, controls, KPIs, issue management, remediation tracking, and reporting.
• Improve and oversee data lineage, traceability, and auditability across key trading data flows and reporting processes.
• Support governance of reference data and master data , including consistent definitions and controls across systems and processes.
• Partner with architecture, engineering, analytics, risk, compliance, finance, and operations teams to ensure governance is embedded into delivery and change.
• Facilitate Data Governance Councils, working groups, and stakeholder forums , ensuring effective prioritisation, escalation, and decision-making.
• Conduct data maturity assessments and define practical roadmaps to improve governance capability over time.
• Ensure governance requirements are aligned to internal policy, control, regulatory, and assurance expectations.
• Provide leadership on governance requirements for emerging use cases including advanced analytics, AI, automation, and cloud data platforms.

Principal Responsibilities

Governance Strategy and Operating Model

• Design and implement pragmatic governance structures that balance control, usability, and delivery pace.
• Define roles, responsibilities, RACI models, and governance processes across trading data domains.
• Translate enterprise data principles into workable standards for energy trading.

Data Ownership and Stewardship

• Identify and formalise Data Owners, Data Stewards, and SME communities.
• Build stewardship capability and accountability across business functions.
• Support adoption of governance practices through engagement, coaching, and change leadership.

Metadata, Catalogue, and Glossary

• Lead the definition of common business terms and critical data definitions.
• Drive improvements in metadata capture, data asset documentation, and cataloguing.
• Promote consistent classification, lineage, and usage information for key datasets.

Data Quality and Controls

• Define data quality dimensions, thresholds, controls, and reporting mechanisms.
• Establish KPI and MI frameworks for monitoring data health and governance performance.
• Lead triage and remediation of priority data issues affecting business outcomes.

Lineage, Risk, and Regulatory Support

• Strengthen lineage and control transparency across critical reporting and decision-making data flows.
• Support regulatory, assurance, and audit needs through robust governance evidence and traceability.
• Ensure governance standards are embedded in change initiatives and platform evolution.

Leadership and Change

• Operate effectively with senior stakeholders across trading, risk, operations, finance, compliance, and technology.
• Lead workshops, forums, and governance councils with credibility and authority.
• Influence decisions and drive adoption in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Success Measures

• Clear and adopted governance framework and operating model
• Formalised data ownership and stewardship for priority domains
• Improved data quality controls and measurable KPI reporting
• Stronger lineage, metadata, and auditability for critical data
• Effective governance forums and sustained stakeholder engagement
• Visible improvement in data management maturity across the trading landscape, * Act as a visible leader for trusted data practices across energy trading
• Build credibility with senior business and technology stakeholders
• Drive cross-functional collaboration and accountability
• Raise the maturity of governance practices, not just define them
• Create a culture where data is managed as a business asset

We are seeking candidates with Data Management Association (DAMA)-aligned knowledge or equivalent experience in data management best practices. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have:

• Significant experience in data governance, data management, or enterprise data roles within complex organisations.
• Proven track record designing and implementing data governance frameworks and operating models.
• Strong experience in data ownership, stewardship, policy, standards, and governance forums.
• Demonstrable experience in data quality, metadata, glossary, catalogue, and lineage.
• Experience working across large, federated, or regulated environments with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Strong record of influencing senior stakeholders and embedding lasting governance practices.
• Experience leading or supporting enterprise change, transformation, or platform modernisation initiatives.

Domain Experience Preferred

• Experience in energy trading, commodities trading, risk, market data, trade lifecycle, or adjacent regulated trading environments.
• Understanding of data challenges across front office, middle office, back office, risk, finance, and regulatory reporting.
• Familiarity with data governance implications for:
• trade capture and lifecycle events
• pricing and market data
• reference and master data
• controls, reconciliations, and reporting
• cloud and modern data platforms

Knowledge, Skills, and Capabilities

• Strong practical grounding in recognised data management disciplines such as:
• data governance
• data quality
• metadata management
• reference and master data
• data architecture
• data security and controls
• Ability to combine strategic thinking with practical execution.
• Strong facilitation, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Excellent written communication; able to produce policies, standards, frameworks, and executive-ready materials.
• Able to lead with authority without relying on direct line management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and bringing structure to complex environments.

Leadership Expectations, * Relevant certifications in data management, business analysis, project delivery, or cloud/data platforms

• Experience with governance and data tooling such as catalogues, workflow, metadata, quality, or lineage platforms

Pulled from the full job description

• Pay rise
• Flexible schedule

What we offer

You bring your skills and experience to Shell and in return you work with talented, committed people on one of the most important challenges facing our planet. You’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills you need to grow in an environment where we value honesty, integrity, and respect for one another. You’ll be able to balance your priorities as you become the best version of yourself.

• Continuously grow the transferable skills you need to get ahead.
• Work at the forefront of technology, trends, and practices.
• Collaborate with experienced colleagues with unique expertise.
• Achieve your balance in a values-led culture that encourages you to be the best version of yourself.
• Make an impact in one of the world’s leading energy trading businesses.
• Benefit from flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote/mobile working.
• Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performance related salary increase - our pay and benefits packages are considered to be among the best in the world.
• Take advantage of paid parental leave, including for non-birthing parents.
• Join an organisation working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world. We strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, and life experiences to apply.
• Grow as you progress through diverse career opportunities in national and
• international teams.
• Gain access to a wide range of training and development programmes.

Shell is working to advance an inclusive, psychologically safe and accessible environment where people with disabilities can excel. If you require any accommodations or accessibility adjustments (e.g. assistive technology, communication support, any other) during the application or interview process, please let us know directly via careers@shell.com . We strive to ensure that our process and workplace is accessible to everyone and are dedicated to making reasonable adjustments to support your needs.

Shell in The United Kingdom

Shell is a vital contributor to the UK, supporting energy security, jobs and economic value. We provide energy to fuel homes, hospitals, schools, vehicles, machinery and factories. Our history here dates back over 125 years. A UK-headquartered global energy leader, and leading FTSE multinational, we are active across the country’s energy system.

In the years ahead, as the UK looks to strengthen energy security and deliver its 2050 net-zero goal, Shell UK aims to play a crucial role. We aim to be a major investor in the UK energy system by helping our customers decarbonise with a focus on transport and industry.