Data Governance Manager - University of Idaho

What if your next role gave you the opportunity to shape how an entire university manages, protects, and uses its data? The University of Idaho is hiring a Data Governance Manager! Moscow, Idaho | Remote $95,000+ DOE Relocation Assistance Available for those that want to be onsite This isn’t a role where you’ll simply maintain an existing program. You’ll have the opportunity to build and shape an enterprise-wide data governance strategy at an R1 research university investing in data modernization and responsible AI. Reporting directly to the Chief Data and AI Officer, you’ll partner with university leadership to: Build governance frameworks, policies, and data stewardship programs Bring stakeholders together across a complex organization Strengthen data quality, accessibility, and accountability Help establish the foundation for analytics and responsible AI, The University of Idaho is seeking a Data Governance Manager to help establish and mature its enterprise-wide data governance program. Rather than stepping into a fully developed structure, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the policies, frameworks, partnerships, and practices that define how data is managed, protected, and used across the institution.

Reporting directly to the Chief Data and AI Officer, this role offers significant institutional visibility and the opportunity to work closely with executive leadership, technology teams, academic departments, and administrative partners.

You’ll operate at the intersection of people, policy, and technology, bringing together stakeholders across a decentralized university to establish shared standards, strengthen data quality, and create a culture of accountability and trust.

This position is especially well-suited for someone who enjoys building programs, navigating organizational complexity, and translating big-picture strategy into practical solutions. Your work will help establish the data foundation that enables better decisions, stronger research capabilities, and responsible innovation, including emerging AI initiatives.

How you will spend your time:

Build and Advance Enterprise Data Governance Lead the development and ongoing evolution of the university’s enterprise data governance framework, policies, standards, and processes.

• Establish clear structures for data ownership, stewardship, accountability, and decision-making across institutional data domains.

• Translate governance principles into practical, sustainable processes that work across academic, administrative, and research environments.

• Partner with the Chief Data and AI Officer to advance and communicate the university’s broader institutional data strategy.

Lead Collaboration and Institutional Engagement

• Facilitate the university’s Data Governance Committee and associated working groups, bringing together stakeholders with diverse perspectives and priorities.

• Build relationships with academic leaders, institutional research, IT, compliance, legal counsel, and administrative teams to strengthen alignment and shared accountability.

• Help stakeholders navigate competing priorities, build consensus, and move governance initiatives from discussion to implementation.

• Champion data literacy and governance education to help university employees understand their roles in responsible data management.

Strengthen Data Quality, Accessibility, and Trust

• Oversee the enterprise data catalog and help establish consistent metadata management standards.

• Advance data quality practices that improve the accuracy, consistency, accessibility, and reliability of institutional information.

• Partner with technical teams and data stewards to identify opportunities for improving data management processes and systems.

• Support the development of governance practices that enable reliable analytics, research, and institutional reporting.

Support Compliance and Responsible Data Use

• Collaborate with IT, legal, compliance, and academic partners to align governance practices with applicable regulatory requirements.

• Help establish policies and processes that support appropriate data access, privacy, security, and responsible information sharing.

• Contribute to the university’s evolving approach to AI governance and the responsible use of institutional data in analytics and emerging technologies.

Bachelor’s degree in information management, Business, Public Administration, Computer Science, or a closely related field, plus a minimum of three years of professional experience in data governance, data management, information management, or a related field OR A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree Higher education experience is a plus, but not required! If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to build something meaningful rather than inherit someone else’s playbook, this could be it., * Bachelor’s degree in information management, Business, Public Administration, Computer Science, or a closely related field, plus a minimum of three years of professional experience in data governance, data management, information management, or a related field OR A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

• Demonstrated success facilitating cross-functional teams, building relationships, and developing consensus among stakeholders with competing priorities.

• Experience developing or implementing policies, governance frameworks, or standards within a complex organizational environment.

• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and nontechnical audiences and translate complex concepts into actionable solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five or more years of experience in data governance, enterprise data management, or institutional data strategy.

• Graduate degree in a relevant discipline.

• Professional certification in data governance or data management, such as CDMP, DAMA-related credentials, or similar.

• Experience working in higher education, including an understanding of shared governance, decentralized decision-making, and sensitive institutional data.

• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks relevant to higher education, including FERPA, HIPAA, GLBA, or federal grant compliance.

• Experience with enterprise data catalogs, metadata management, data quality frameworks, and related tools.

• Knowledge of cloud-based data platforms and lakehouse architectures, particularly Databricks and Unity Catalog.

• Familiarity with enterprise resource planning systems and data structures in student, human resources, or finance environments, particularly Banner/Ellucian.

• Experience establishing governance committees, facilitating working groups, or building data stewardship programs, including steward recruitment, training, and engagement.

• Understanding of AI governance frameworks and how data governance supports machine learning, analytics, and responsible AI use cases., Final candidates must successfully complete a criminal background check. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Another Source’s client, University of Idaho, is recruiting a remote Data Governance Manager to join their team in Moscow, Idaho. This is an onsite opportunity with relocation assistance available.

Here’s a little about the University of Idaho:

The University of Idaho is a public R1 research university where innovation, discovery, and student success are central to its mission. As Idaho’s land-grant research university, U of I brings together education, research, and public service to make a meaningful impact across the state and beyond.

The university is at an exciting point in its technology and data modernization journey, building the infrastructure and institutional practices that will support research, student success, and operational excellence for years to come. With a growing emphasis on data-informed decision-making and responsible AI adoption, the University of Idaho is investing in the people, systems, and strategies needed to make institutional data a trusted and valuable resource.

Learn more about the university’s Finance and Administration division: https://www.uidaho.edu/leadership/finance-administration