Data Governance Specialist [Hybrid]

Data Governance Specialist

The Data Governance Specialist supports the implementation and operationalization of enterprise data governance practices while leading data literacy initiatives across the organization. This role is critical in translating governance frameworks into practical, day-to-day operations and building a data-informed culture. The successful candidate works hands-on with data stewards, business stakeholders, and technical teams to ensure data governance policies are understood, adopted, and sustained. This role champions data literacy through training programs, documentation, and enablement activities that empower employees at all levels to work effectively with data.

Responsibilities

• Data Governance Operations & Stewardship
  • Supports the implementation and execution of data governance policies, standards, and procedures across the enterprise.
  • Facilitates data stewardship activities, including coordination of steward networks and governance working groups.
  • Onboards new data stewards and provides ongoing operational
  • Monitors compliance with data governance policies and escalates issues to Senior Manager, Data Governance
  • Supports the establishment and maintenance of business glossaries, data dictionaries, and metadata
  • Documents data lineage, data ownership, and data usage across business domains
  • Tracks and reports on data governance metrics and KPIs to measure program
  • Coordinates governance reviews and approvals for data-related initiatives
• Data Literacy & Enablement
  • Designs, develops, and delivers data literacy training programs for varied audiences (technical and business users)
  • Creates engaging training materials, guides, and resources that make data governance accessible and
  • Conducts workshops and training sessions on data governance principles, data quality, data stewardship, and responsible data use.
  • Develops communication campaigns to promote data governance awareness and
  • Creates and maintains a knowledge hub with FAQs, best practices, and self-service
  • Measures training effectiveness and continuously improves data literacy programs based on
  • Partners with HR and learning & development teams to integrate data literacy into organizational learning pathways.
  • Champions data-driven decision making through storytelling and real-world
• Governance Standards & Documentation
  • Documents and maintains data governance frameworks, policies, standards, and operating procedures.
  • Creates clear, user-friendly documentation that translates complex governance concepts into actionable
  • Maintains governance SharePoint/repository with up-to-date policies, templates, and reference
  • Supports development of data classification schemes, data handling guidelines, and retention policies
  • Assists in creating governance workflow documentation and standard operating
  • Ensures governance documentation aligns with industry best practices and regulatory
  • Conducts regular reviews and updates of governance documentation to keep it current and
• Cross-functional Support & Collaboration
  • Partners with Data Architecture team to ensure governance standards are embedded in technical
  • Works with Senior Manager, Data Product Management and data product teams to integrate governance into product development.
  • Collaborates with Data Engineering Manager to implement governance controls and metadata capture in pipelines.
  • Supports Analytics and Insights Manager in ensuring governed data is accessible for analytical use
  • Engages with business stakeholders to understand data needs and translates them into governance
  • Participates in cross-functional projects to represent governance perspective and ensure
  • Builds relationships across the organization to foster a culture of data
• Data Protection & Compliance Support
  • Supports data protection and privacy compliance activities in partnership with Data Protection Lead
  • Assists in conducting data privacy impact assessments and compliance
  • Helps ensure data handling practices comply with GDPR, CCPA, and other relevant
  • Supports incident response and remediation activities related to data governance
• Other duties as assigned
• Supervision of Others : None. This is an individual contributor role.

Working Conditions : 95% of time is spent in the office environment, utilizing computers (frequent use of various Microsoft software/programs), phones, and general office equipment. 5% of time is spent outside of the office visiting vendors' and/or internal customers' sites in addition to attending various conferences and meetings.

Fiscal Responsibilities : none

Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in information management, Business Administration, Computer Science, or related field required.
• 4-6 years of experience in data governance, data management, data quality, or related fields
• Proven experience supporting data governance programs, policies, and
• Experience working with data stewards and cross-functional
• Background in creating clear documentation and translating technical concepts for business
• Experience in regulated industries or organizations with data compliance requirements
• Professional certifications such as CDMP (Certified Data Management Professional), DAMA certification, or data governance-related certifications preferred.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:

• Strong understanding of data governance frameworks, principles, and best practices (DAMA-DMBOK, DCAM)
• Knowledge of data management disciplines including data quality, metadata management, and master data management
• Understanding of data protection regulations (GDPR, CCPA, PIPEDA) and compliance requirements
• Demonstrated excellence in facilitating training sessions and developing engaging educational content accessible to diverse audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills - able to simplify complex
• Proficiency in creating documentation, training materials, and
• Proficiency with collaboration tools (SharePoint, Confluence, or similar platforms)
• Familiarity with change management and stakeholder engagement practices
• Familiarity with data cataloging tools, metadata repositories, or data governance platforms (Collibra, Informatica, Alation, or similar) is a plus.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills
• Ability to work independently while also being a strong team
• Strong interpersonal skills Customer-service orientation with patience and empathy for users at all technical levels
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail and ability to identify patterns and
• Adaptability and comfort working in dynamic, evolving
• Passion for data education and building a data-literate

Physical Requirements :

Must be able to sit or stand at computer for a reasonable length of time typing and reading. Regularly required to walk or stand. 100% of time is spent in the office environment, utilizing computers (frequent use of various Microsoft software/programs), phones, and general office equipment.