Data Governance Specialist

San Diego, CA Position Overview The Data Governance Specialist is responsible for overseeing the governance, quality, and lifecycle management of data across the organization. This role ensures that enterprise data is accurate, secure, compliant, and properly accessible to support analytics, operations, and strategic decision‑making. The Specialist serves as the company’s operational “source of truth” for enterprise data definitions, standards, and authoritative datasets, and operates within the Company’s Information Management framework. The role works cross‑functionally with various stakeholders to direct implementation of scalable, enterprise‑wide data practices and maintain a compliant data ecosystem, all in line with Information Management strategies, imperatives, and priorities. Company Overview Cibus is a biotechnology company with advanced technologies to precisely target and direct a plant’s natural gene‑editing processes. The company has a worldwide presence, with subsidiaries in Europe and North America and a state‑of‑the‑art research and development center in San Diego. Cibus has a pipeline of traits for canola and rice and is developing crop platforms and a pipeline of trait products in other major global crops including soybean, corn, and wheat. The company’s strain‑advancement program develops sustainable products in microbial platforms for food, flavor and fragrance, and personal care markets. Reporting Structure & Organizational Authority The Data Governance Specialist reports to the Executive Director, Information Technology & Information Security and operates as a leader within the enterprise Information Management framework. The Specialist is the enterprise operational authority for data governance, data quality, metadata management, and data lifecycle alignment, with organization‑wide accountability for defining and administering standards consistent with enterprise Information Management requirements and in coordination with Legal/Compliance, Privacy, and Information Security functions, as applicable. Core Responsibilities Develop, implement, and maintain enterprise‑wide data governance standards, policies, and procedures in alignment with Information Management strategic direction. Establish and maintain a complete, traceable record of data provenance, movement, transformation, and consumption across organizational systems (data lineage). Define and operationalize structured data stewardship and ownership frameworks that clarify roles, responsibilities, and accountability across the organization. Ensure compliance across the enterprise with regulatory, privacy, security, and records management requirements related to data handling and retention. Develop, maintain, and audit enterprise‑wide Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Model recommendations per industry best practice. Develop, maintain, and steward enterprise data standards, definitions, taxonomies, and metadata models for approval and adoption through the Company’s Information Management processes. Escalate data quality, compliance, and data risk issues to Information Management leadership when issues present cross‑functional risk, policy conflict, or enterprise‑level implications. Administer, document, and maintain auditable records of approved exceptions and waivers to data standards, including rationale, compensating controls, and review cadence. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Data Management, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent experience. 3–5 years of experience in data management, data governance, data quality, or related enterprise data roles. Strong understanding of data architecture, metadata management, master data management, and enterprise data platforms. Experience with SQL, data modeling, and modern cloud or hybrid data ecosystems. Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate across technical and nontechnical audiences. 2–3 years of Artificial Intelligence or Large Language Model experience preferred, including hands‑on proven experience with design, review, and troubleshooting. Core Competencies Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Attention to detail and high degree of accuracy. Ability to meet deadlines. Enterprise‑level strategic thinking and systems problem solving. Program leadership and organizational influence.Ability to define, enforce, and operationalize standards across diverse teams. Strong commitment to data quality, security, privacy, and compliance. Benefits Medical, dental, vision coverage, flexible spending account, 401(k) plan, vacation and sick leave. Application Information Job code: IT2603. Only candidates with work authorization in the U.S. are considered. #J-18808-Ljbffr