Data Governance Manager

About the Role

We’re looking for a Data Governance Lead to establish, embed, and continuously improve our data governance framework across the organisation. Reporting to the Interim Director of Data and BI, you will lead the development of governance policies, standards, and controls that strengthen trust in data, improve quality, support regulatory compliance, and enable the responsible use of information across the business.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the organisation’s data governance framework, policies, standards, and controls.
• Establish clear governance principles for data ownership, stewardship, classification, retention, access, and accountability across the data lifecycle.
• Write, maintain, and socialise data governance policies and supporting guidance to ensure consistent understanding and adoption across the organisation.
• Use Microsoft Purview to support data discovery, cataloguing, lineage visibility, and sensitivity labelling across key data assets.
• Coordinate and support data stewards and business stakeholders to embed governance responsibilities within operational teams.
• Define and promote data quality standards, measures, and improvement frameworks to strengthen confidence in critical data used for reporting, operations, and decision‑making.
• Work with legal, security, and operational teams to support compliance with GDPR and related data privacy requirements, ensuring appropriate handling of personal and sensitive information.
• Provide governance oversight for AI‑related initiatives, helping define appropriate controls for data usage, classification, transparency, risk management, and responsible adoption.
• Ensure that AI governance considerations are incorporated into wider data governance practices, including data sourcing, lineage, privacy, retention, and access management.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to influence good governance practice, resolve issues, and support a culture of accountability for data.
• Monitor governance maturity, identify gaps and risks, and recommend practical improvements that balance control, compliance, and business enablement.

Qualifications

• Strong experience using Microsoft Purview to manage data discovery, classification, lineage tracking, and information protection across enterprise environments.
• Proven ability to design and implement data quality standards, controls, and monitoring processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data.
• In‑depth knowledge of GDPR and broader data protection requirements, with experience embedding compliance into data processes and governance frameworks.
• Extensive experience engaging senior stakeholders and producing clear, effective data governance policies, standards, and procedures.
• Experience establishing and working with data stewards, driving ownership, accountability, and best practices across business and technical teams.
• Strong understanding of AI governance principles, including risk management, ethical considerations, and implementation of controls and oversight mechanisms.
• Relevant certifications such as SC‑100 or SC‑401, DAMA CDMP, BCS Data Protection, or IAPP CIPP/E (preferred).

Company Benefits

• 25 days holiday rising to 30 with each year of service
• Private Medical Insurance covering dental and optical
• Company pension scheme
• Life Assurance – 4x your annual salary
• 1 day paid volunteering per year
• Enhanced maternity / paternity offerings
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to a gym

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