> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1592437-data-governance-lead](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1592437-data-governance-lead). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Data Governance Lead - **Company:** Shell - **Location:** London, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Audit Trail, Data Architecture, Data Governance, Data Infrastructure, Data Security, Data Structures, Metadata, Meta-Data Management, Metadata Standards, Microsoft Office, Reference Data, Cloud Services, Data Streaming, Data Lineage, Data Management - **Published:** July 8, 2026 - **Apply:** https://uk.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=9d552a75edd427b5 ## About the Role 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 ## Description 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 ## Related Videos - [A Data Mesh needs Open Metadata](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/505-a-data-mesh-needs-open-metadata) - [Resilient by Design: Building Robust Architectures in High-Stakes Financial Systems](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2106-resilient-by-design-building-robust-architectures-in-high-stakes-financial-systems) - [The Data Mesh as the end of the Datalake as we know it](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/156-the-data-mesh-as-the-end-of-the-datalake-as-we-know-it) - [Enjoying SQL data pipelines with dbt](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/823-enjoying-sql-data-pipelines-with-dbt) - [Modern Data Architectures need Software Engineering](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1030-modern-data-architectures-need-software-engineering) - [Data: The Deciding Factor in AI Success](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100310-data-the-deciding-factor-in-ai-success) ## Related Articles - [Data Analyst Salary in the UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/278-data-analyst-salary-in-the-uk) - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [Best Companies to work for in London: Top 25 Companies in 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/187-best-companies-to-work-for-in-london-top-25-companies-in-2023) - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production) - [UK Business Culture and Etiquette](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/326-uk-business-culture-and-etiquette) - [The Most Popular IT Jobs on the Market](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/376-the-most-popular-it-jobs-on-the-market)