Head of Data Governance

Channel 4 generates data from millions of viewer interactions every day across broadcast, streaming and digital advertising. Without clear ownership, standards and structure, this data becomes fragmented and unreliable. Undermining trust and decision making.

The Head of Data Governance plays a critical role in establishing the frameworks, standards and controls that ensure data across Channel 4 is trustworthy, consistent and compliant. By embedding high quality governance practices, the role enables the organisation to move faster, make confident decisions and extract greater value from content and audiences.

This role reports into the Director of Data and represents the first dedicated leadership position focused on data governance at Channel 4. Initially an individual contributor, the role is expected to grow into a broader capability area as part of our evolving data strategy and maturity roadmap., * Lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of Channel 4s data governance framework, ensuring data is reliable, observable and fit for purpose.

• Establish standards for data quality, metadata, cataloguing, lineage and stewardship across all functions.
• Define and implement data quality measures, controls and automated monitoring.
• Drive adoption of data observability practices to ensure issues are identified and addressed quickly.
• Own the data governance tooling ecosystem, including the data catalogue.
• Ensure metadata is complete, accurate, discoverable and actively maintained.
• Define and embed clear data ownership structures across the organisation.
• Champion accountability through stewardship models and governance processes.
• Partner with business and technical teams to ensure frameworks enable creative and business value.
• Ensure data processes and outputs meet regulatory, contractual and externally reported compliance requirements.
• Work closely with Legal, Compliance and Information Security to uphold governance standards.
• Design and implement data contracting capabilities to support transition to a data mesh framework.
• Act as the primary point of contact for data governance across Channel 4.
• Educate teams on best practice and evangelise a culture of responsible data use.
• Work cross-functionally to align governance with business needs, technology strategies and data product development.

Do you have experience in Product development?, * Proven experience establishing or maturing data governance capabilities within a data rich organisation.

• Strong understanding of data management disciplines, including data quality, metadata, ownership and observability.
• Strong understanding of data governance frameworks and regulations applicable to media and broadcasting.
• Experience implementing or owning data governance tooling (e.g., catalogues, quality platforms).
• Experience with vendor management with data governance and technical products and services.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels internally and drive accountability.
• Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills.

There are a million reasons why it’s great to work at Channel 4, here are just a few of the perks for you;

• Private medical insurance
• Free Virtual GP access for employees
• Free Female Health hormone test each year
• Free Tastecard membership
• Financial guidance 1-2-1’s available each quarter
• Discounted Gym memberships
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Holiday Purchase

Hybrid working From September 2023, C4 has operated a 60/40 working pattern, equating to three office days per week. Having everyone in the office three days a week gives us more opportunity to build our high performing, inclusive culture; to collaborate and to learn and share with each other, as well as helping to coordinate a regular pattern of home and office working days. Employees then have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the working week. All our offices are open five days a week. Applications Close Date 26 May 2026 Equal Opportunities Channel 4’s purpose is to create change through entertainment; by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and delivering content which reflects the diversity of different communities across the UK.

The data team is a new team for Channel 4, it brings together teams from technology & insight into one dedicated capability. The team comprises of c40, a mix of directly employed by Channel 4 and then leveraging a partner for engineering resource. The team sits adjacent to the technology team and services the data needs for internal customers, including product, advertising, insight, finance, 4 studio & distribution.