Data Governance Specialist

Job Description At Piper Sandler, we connect capital with opportunity to build a better future. Piper Sandler is a leading institutional middle‑market investment bank firm serving clients in the U.S. and internationally. The firm focuses on financial advisory and capital markets that win through deep sector expertise, candid advice, and a differentiated, highly productive culture – enabling growth and success for our clients as well as rewarding careers for our employees. We are seeking a Data Governance Specialist to join the Information Risk Management group in Minneapolis, MN or New York, NY. This key position will report to the Sr. Information Security Officer and be responsible for defining and enforcing data policies, standards, and procedures, ensuring data quality, privacy, security, and compliance across all data assets. Beyond strategic leadership, the Data Governance Lead will possess hands‑on technical expertise to manage, maintain, and optimize the platforms, technologies, and solutions that underpin our data governance framework. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between business requirements and technical implementation, driving a culture of data excellence and trust. Responsibilities Develop and maintain a comprehensive data governance framework, including policies, standards, and processes for data quality, data privacy, data security, data lifecycle management, and metadata management Set the standard for data governance and data quality and formalize best data operating practices for adoption by the firm Provide data governance expertise to strategic projects, business initiatives, and operational changes Identify and shape continuous improvement opportunities and recommendations that drive data to better serve the growing business Provide thought leadership for data governance and data health with our business lines Act as a primary point of contact for all data governance‑related inquiries Directly manage and maintain data catalog, metadata management, data quality, and data lineage tools Lead data remediation efforts, working with data owners and technical teams to resolve data quality and integrity issues Implement and enforce data access policies within data platforms (e.g., data lakes, data warehouses, databases), ensuring role‑based access control (RBAC) and compliance with data privacy regulations Research, evaluate, and propose new data governance tools and technologies that can enhance the program’s efficiency and effectiveness Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the effectiveness of the data governance program Establish cross‑functional partnerships with Development Team to find opportunities to leverage data to enrich existing or new applications Collaborate with legal, compliance, security, and business units to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA) and internal policies Work with product and engineering leadership, key stakeholders, data owners, and data stewards, to build consensus through effective communications of well‑analyzed business cases and supporting materials Requirements 5+ years of experience in data governance or data operations within a fast‑paced, dynamically growing organization Strong knowledge of data‑driven processes, products, technology, and controls in an enterprise setting Track record of leading data governance and data transformation initiatives across business and IT functions Experience establishing and managing a new data governance function and data capabilities Demonstrated hands‑on experience with data governance platforms and tools Expert problem solver with the ability to identify and triage data issues and drive tactical and strategic solutions Strong communication and influencing skills with partners and peers at all levels of the organization Strategic thinker with the ability to recognize and take actions that maximize value for the organization All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, marital status, status as a protected veteran or status with regard to public assistance. The anticipated starting salary range for New York or Minnesota based individuals expressing interest in this position is $100,000 - $200,000 per year. Placement within this range is dependent on level of experience, location, and other factors. This position is eligible for annual incentive compensation which will be a part of the total compensation. Total compensation will be competitive with the market. #J-18808-Ljbffr