Data Governance Lead

Data Governance Lead

We are seeking an experienced Data Governance Lead to establish, lead and continuously enhance our enterprise data governance framework. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring that the firm's claims, client and case data remains accurate, trusted, appropriately protected and compliant with regulatory requirements. Working across business and technology functions, you will define the standards, policies and controls that underpin effective data management while supporting the organisation's growing use of analytics, automation and AI. You will act as the central point of expertise for data governance, helping colleagues understand and fulfil their responsibilities as data owners, stewards and custodians.

What you will do?

As the Data Governance Lead, you will:

• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the firm's data governance framework.
• Define and maintain data quality standards, ownership models, metadata management and data lineage documentation.
• Drive data classification and access control practices across case management, finance and CRM systems.
• Establish and monitor data quality KPIs, and work with business stakeholders to resolve data quality issues and root causes.
• Provide practical guidance, training and communication that enable colleagues, data owners and stewards to understand and fulfil their data governance obligations, adopting governance best practices.
• Partner with the Data Protection Officer (DPO), and relevant business owners to ensure effective governance and regulatory compliance.
• Support GDPR compliance activities, including Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and governance of data used within our data estate, and AI and machine learning solutions.
• Act as the primary point of contact for data-related regulatory and governance matters.
• Define policies and standards for third-party and AI vendor data handling.
• Chair a cross-functional data governance forum, ensuring decisions, actions, risks and accountability are clearly documented and tracked through to completion.

Who you are

• Proven experience designing, implementing or improving data governance frameworks in a complex or regulated environment.
• Good working knowledge of UK GDPR and its practical application within a regulated environment.
• Experience with data catalogue, metadata and data lineage tools, such as Microsoft Purview or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of master data management principles and data quality management practices.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with the ability to engage colleagues at all levels, including senior leadership.
• Experience driving governance initiatives whilst balancing operational and business delivery requirements.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills.

• Familiarity with recognised data management principles or frameworks, such as DAMA-DMBOK or equivalent best practices.
• Experience working within insurance, legal services, financial services or other highly regulated sectors.
• Understanding of Responsible AI principles, AI governance frameworks and the risks associated with AI-enabled solutions.
• Experience supporting governance requirements for machine learning and advanced analytics initiatives.
• Knowledge of SRA data handling obligations, and insurer/corporate client data-sharing requirements are desirable but not mandatory.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of data governance within a growing, data-driven organisation. You will:

• Play a leading role in building trust and confidence in the organisation's data assets.
• Influence strategy and decision-making at a senior level.
• Help enable the successful adoption of advanced analytics, automation and AI.
• Work collaboratively across business, technology, compliance and risk functions.
• Lead meaningful change that improves data quality, compliance and operational efficiency.
• Join a collaborative and forward-thinking Data & Analytics function.

Success in this role will be measured through:

• Improved data quality across key business datasets.
• Adoption and maturity of the firm's data governance framework.
• Effective implementation of data ownership, stewardship and accountability models.
• Compliance with GDPR and internal data governance requirements.
• Reduction in data-related risks, incidents and audit findings.
• Increased visibility of data lineage, metadata and data quality metrics.
• Successful governance of AI and third-party data usage initiatives.

What's in it for you?

• High levels of flexibility and a great work life balance
• A well-rounded remuneration package (which includes private medical insurance, income protection insurance and discounted gym membership, amongst many other benefits)
• Opportunities for growth and progression including professional funding
• In person and remote social events
• Opportunity to get involved in a range of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, which aligns closely to our cultural principles (Determined, Clear, Creative and Supportive). If you are excited about this role and being part of our culture, but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!

About DAC Beachcroft

We are a leading international legal business with over 3,000 colleagues and a diverse range of capabilities. We are market leaders in insurance, health and real estate but with a full-service offering, including growing Financial Services and Tech capabilities. We represent a wide range of clients – from household names to government departments and NHS bodies. We act for nearly all of the top-20 UK and global insurers, we're market leaders in the provision of strategic, commercial and regulatory advice to providers and commissioners in the health sector, and in real estate we advise all of the UK's top-five housebuilders. We are a fast-growing international business with offices around the globe. In addition to our 11 UK offices, we also have offices in Bogota, Buenos Aires, Dublin, Lima, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, New York, Paris, Rome, Santiago de Chile, and Singapore plus a representative office in Miami and broad network of affiliations across the globe. At DAC Beachcroft we are committed to and recognise the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion across the board, including and beyond the protected characteristics. We take decisions based solely on merit. We value, welcome and seek out people with different backgrounds and life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, ways of thinking and identities. We are happy to talk flexible working with our Flex Forward scheme. We would encourage you to talk to us about our approach to flexible working during the hiring process if you would like to explore this further.

DAC Beachcroft manages all vacancies via our in-house recruitment teams, prioritising direct sourcing and referrals. When external support is required, roles are released to selected agencies on our Preferred Supplier List (PSL). Speculative CVs sent to any DAC Beachcroft employee without prior instruction from our recruitment teams (LLP and CSG) will not be accepted, and no fees will be payable. For PSL queries, please contact: View email address on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io

Our Hiring Process

Stage 1:

Qualification Call

Stage 2:

Interview with Hiring Manager

Stage 3:

Final Interview

Stage 4:

Hired

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