Data Governance Specialist

Data Governance SpecialistPrimary Focus: Define, Govern & Improve Master Data QualityThe Data Governance Specialist is responsible for supporting and advancing the organization's data governance framework by developing, implementing, monitoring, and improving data governance standards, policies, business rules, and data quality practices.The role works closely with the MDM Data Analyst to ensure master data is managed in accordance with established governance standards, policies, and business rules. While the MDM Data Analyst focuses on the execution and maintenance of day-to-day master data activities, the Data Governance Specialist provides governance oversight, identifies improvement opportunities, and drives data quality initiatives.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop, maintain, and enforce data governance standards, policies, business rules, and control frameworks.Define and document data ownership, stewardship responsibilities, and accountability models.Monitor data quality, governance compliance, and key performance indicators (KPIs).Analyze data quality issues, identify root causes and trends, and recommend corrective actions.Lead and support data quality improvement initiatives to drive sustainable process improvements.Partner with data owners, data stewards, business teams, and IT teams to implement governance requirements and best practices.Ensure master data processes align with established governance standards and business rules.Facilitate governance reviews, stewardship activities, workshops, and working sessions.Maintain business definitions, data standards, data dictionaries, and governance documentation.Track adherence to data policies, governance controls, and compliance requirements.Identify governance risks and recommend mitigation strategies.Support internal and external audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory requirements.Develop dashboards, scorecards, metrics, and governance reporting to provide visibility into data health and performance.Monitor governance effectiveness and recommend enhancements to governance processes and controls.Drive adoption of data governance principles and practices across business functions.Collaborate with stakeholders to promote data stewardship, accountability, and continuous improvement.Success MeasuresImproved data quality and governance KPI performance.Increased compliance with data standards, policies, and business rules.Reduction in recurring data issues through root cause resolution.Effective governance controls, documentation, and audit readiness.Strong stakeholder engagement and adoption of governance practices.Measurable improvements in master data integrity, consistency, and usability.Preferred CompetenciesData GovernanceData Quality ManagementMaster Data Management (MDM)Business Process AnalysisRoot Cause AnalysisData StewardshipPolicy and Standards DevelopmentGovernance Reporting & KPI DevelopmentCompliance and Audit SupportCross-Functional CollaborationChange Management and Stakeholder Engagement