Manager, Data Governance

Role Overview

Our client is looking for an accomplished Data Governance Manager to lead enterprise-wide initiatives in data governance, quality, architecture, and stewardship. The position involves assessing existing data management frameworks and enhancing organizational capabilities to ensure delivery of reliable, high-quality data that supports analytics, AI, compliance, and strategic aims. Preference will be given to UAE Nationals.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct enterprise data governance and management programs across all departments.
• Perform data maturity evaluations applying established models such as DCAM.
• Create, update, and enforce an enterprise-wide data strategy including policies, standards, and operational models.
• Form and oversee Data Governance Councils, stewardship initiatives, and ownership frameworks to establish accountability.
• Implement and monitor data quality controls and orchestrate remediation processes.
• Manage metadata administration, including business glossaries, data catalogs, and lineage tracking.
• Coordinate with business and tech teams to ensure data architectures align with overall organizational goals.
• Design improvement roadmaps for data management capabilities, tracking progress with KPIs and maturity metrics.
• Support programs related to AI, analytics, and digital transformation by providing trustworthy and governed data assets.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks concerning data regulatory compliance, privacy, and associated requirements.
• Develop data management lifecycle processes covering data creation, retention, archival, and disposal.
• Provide expert leadership on industry best practices in data governance and management strategies.
• Prepare and deliver executive presentations, business cases, and progress updates for senior leadership.
• Collaborate with technology teams on platforms related to data integration, master data management, and data infrastructure.
• Lead change management efforts to foster a culture focused on data-driven decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Business, or related discipline.
• At least 10 years of experience in data governance, architecture, or related data management fields.
• Proven leadership in large-scale enterprise data governance and transformation projects.
• Deep knowledge of data governance, data quality, metadata and master data management, data architecture, and data privacy/compliance.
• Experienced in assessing data maturity and formulating capability enhancement strategies.
• Excellent skills engaging stakeholders and communicating with executives.
• History of collaboration between business units and IT teams.
• Familiarity with data catalog, metadata management, and governance tools/platforms.
• Capability to manage complex, multi-workstream initiatives.
• Preferred certifications include DCAM and CDMP.
• Experience supporting AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics efforts is advantageous.
• Consulting or advisory background in large transformation projects is beneficial.
• Knowledge of cloud and modern data platforms, including Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, Databricks, Snowflake, or Microsoft Fabric.