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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Data Governance Lead - **Company:** SR2 - **Location:** London, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** £182,000.0 - £201,500.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Data Governance, Meta-Data Management, Data Classification, Data Management, GXP - **Published:** August 12, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerboard.com/pt/en/find-jobs-in-United-Kingdom/-3F99258F37433206A5/ ## About the Role * Significant experience designing and implementing enterprise Data Governance functions at Principal, Programme Lead or equivalent level. * Proven delivery of federated hub-and-spoke governance models within large, complex and highly regulated organisations. * Strong knowledge of DAMA, FAIR and ALCOA+ principles, with the ability to translate frameworks into practical operating processes. * Pharmaceutical, biotechnology or life sciences experience, ideally within R&D, clinical development, safety, regulatory or research environments. * Good understanding of regulated data requirements, including GxP, GDPR and relevant FDA compliance considerations. * Demonstrable experience developing governance policies, standards, RACIs, stewardship models, decision rights and escalation processes. * Strong transformation and change leadership skills, including executive engagement, multi-function co-design, communications, training and adoption planning. * Experience of data quality, metadata management and lineage platforms, with previous delivery of governance pilots or large-scale implementations highly desirable. ## Description We are looking for a Principal-level Data Governance specialist to lead the design and implementation of a new federated Data Governance function within a complex, global pharmaceutical R&D environment. This is a high-impact, hands-on leadership role requiring someone who can define the strategy, secure senior stakeholder alignment and create the practical frameworks, policies and operating artefacts needed to take the function through to go-live., * Define the Data Governance vision, strategic outcomes, success measures and roadmap across a complex, multi-functional R&D environment. * Design a federated hub-and-spoke operating model, including responsibilities, decision rights, RACI, escalation routes and governance forums. * Establish an R&D-specific data life cycle framework aligned with DAMA, FAIR and ALCOA+ principles. * Develop the core governance framework, including policies and standards for data classification, quality, metadata, lineage and traceability. * Create practical playbooks and operational guidance for data owners, data stewards, data producers and governance forums. * Assess current governance maturity across pilot functions and tailor the model to different R&D domains and operating contexts. * Lead governance pilots, capture lessons learned and refine the operating model ahead of wider implementation. * Produce the change, training, resourcing, transition and scaling plans required to embed the function and support long-term adoption. ## Related Videos - [Blueprints for Success: Steering a Global Data & AI Architecture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1577-blueprints-for-success-steering-a-global-data-ai-architecture) - [Data Governance in the Era of AI](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1622-data-governance-in-the-era-of-ai) - [It's all about the Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/425-it-s-all-about-the-data) - [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) - [Unlocking Value from Data: The Key to Smarter Business Decisions-](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1367-unlocking-value-from-data-the-key-to-smarter-business-decisions) - [AI beyond the code: Master your organisational AI implementation.](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1248-ai-beyond-the-code-master-your-organisational-ai-implementation) ## 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) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Events like RSAC Get You CISOs. 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