Data Governance Lead

Please note: This role is contingent upon a contract award. While it is not an immediate opening, we are actively conducting interviews and extending offers in anticipation of the award.The Work At ICF our Digital Modernization Division is an information technology and management consulting organization that delivers integrated, strategic solutions to federal clients. We bring expertise in cloud, cybersecurity, enterprise architecture, data modernization, and digital transformation to support mission-critical government programs. Join a team accelerating the modernization of a large federal agency's enterprise data and analytics ecosystem. This cloud-based platform provides data storage, analytics, governance, and AI/ML capabilities that enable thousands of users to transform data into actionable insights. As demand continues to grow, the team is focused on migrating legacy workloads, streamlining onboarding and support, expanding platform capabilities, and helping organizations across the enterprise adopt modern data and AI solutions at scale. The Data Governance Lead focuses on implementation of Government-approved data governance, stewardship workflows, metadata standards, discoverability practices, access-policy coordination, and governance reporting. Ensures governance activities are operationalized under customer CDO oversight rather than creating contractor-owned policy. Coordinates with data stewards, data owners, Data Engineering, Security, and Product Operations to make data accurate, findable, trusted, and ready for approved publication. Job Location: Remote, however, strong preference for candidates who live in the Washington DC Metro Area. There will be occasional onsite meetings on the client site in Washington, DC. *If you accept this position, you should note that ICF does monitor employee work locations, blocks access from foreign locations/foreign IP addresses, and prohibits personal VPN connections.What You Will Do: Leads implementation of Government-approved data governance, stewardship workflows, metadata standards, discoverability practices, access-policy coordination, and governance reporting. Ensures governance activities are operationalized under VA CDO oversight rather than creating contractor-owned policy. Coordinates with data stewards, data owners, Data Engineering, Security, and Product Operations to make data accurate, findable, trusted, and ready for approved publication. Apply Data governance, metadata, data stewardship, data quality, access-policy coordination, data agreements, and federal data policy/VA CDO environment preferred to support role delivery. Collaborate with relevant product, engineering, security, governance, quality, and customer-facing stakeholders as required by the role. Document work products, decisions, risks, and delivery evidence to support traceability and continuous improvement.Basic Qualifications:U.S. Citizenship is required due to federal contract requirements. Candidate must reside in the U.S., be authorized to work in the U.S., and all work must be performed in the U.S. Candidate must have lived in the U.S. for three (3) full years out of the last five (5) years. Bachelor's degree in Data Management, Information Systems, Data Governance, Business Analytics, Computer Science, Library/Information Science, or related field; or a high school diploma with four (4) additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a bachelor's degree. Minimum 8 years of relevant experience aligned to the responsibilities of this role. Master's degree may substitute for two (2) years of relevant experience. Preferred Qualifications:Experience implementing and operationalizing enterprise data governance programs, data stewardship models, metadata standards, and governance operating procedures within large organizations. Experience configuring and administering enterprise data catalog, metadata management, and discoverability platforms such as Collibra EDC, Microsoft Purview, Alation, Informatica, or comparable technologies. Experience implementing data access governance, data-sharing controls, privacy protections, and attribute-based access policies using Immuta, Unity Catalog, or similar governance platforms. Experience developing and maintaining business glossaries, data dictionaries, metadata repositories, taxonomies, data classifications, and stewardship workflows. Experience implementing data lineage, certification processes, publication reviews, governance approval workflows, and data lifecycle management practices. Experience establishing and monitoring data quality standards, quality rules, issue remediation processes, quality scorecards, and governance performance metrics. Experience coordinating data ownership, stewardship assignments, access reviews, data-use agreements, and governance artifacts across business and technical teams. Experience supporting governance capabilities within modern cloud data and analytics platforms, including Databricks, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Azure data services, or equivalent environments. Experience collaborating with Data Owners, Data Stewards, Product Teams, Data Engineers, Security teams, Privacy stakeholders, and executive governance bodies to improve data quality, trust, discoverability, and adoption. Understanding of DAMA-DMBOK, DCAM, Federal Data Strategy, CDO governance models, or similar data governance frameworks. Experience documenting governance decisions, standards implementation, stewardship activities, risks, and compliance evidence to support traceability and audit readiness. Understanding of data privacy, records management, responsible AI, and regulatory compliance requirements within highly regulated environments. Experience supporting Federal government, healthcare, or other highly regulated environments. Familiarity working with Chief Data Officer (CDO) organizations, governance councils, and enterprise oversight processes preferred. Experience working in Agile, cross-functional delivery teams supporting enterprise data modernization initiatives. Professional Skills: Highly effective analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical audiences. Strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities. Collaborative approach with a commitment to quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. #LI-CC1#IndeedBot and Third-Party ApplicationsPlease note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration. Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration. Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contact View email address on click.appcast.io for assistance.Working at ICFICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email View email address on click.appcast.io and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.  Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act. Candidate AI Usage PolicyAt ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.  However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at View email address on click.appcast.io. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed. Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position. The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:$89,649.00 - $152,404.00Nationwide Remote Office (US99)SummaryLocation: Reston, VA; Alabama Remote Office (AL99); Charlotte, NCType: Full time