Data Governance Lead | IT People Gulf | Dubai, UAE

IT People Gulf; Dubai; On-site; AED 446,000 - 725,000; Full time

Job summary

IT People Gulf in Dubai seeks an experienced Data Governance Lead to drive enterprise-wide governance strategies, metadata management, and data quality programs on-site in the UAE. You will own data stewardship, governance workflows, and regulatory compliance, partnering with multidisciplinary teams and senior recruiters.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in data governance, strong leadership, and hands-on experience with MDM/RDM, data cataloguing, and AI governance collaboration in multinational

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive professional hands-on experience in data governance, data management, data quality, or enterprise data strategy.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Management, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• Strong operational expertise in implementing enterprise data governance frameworks and operating models.
• Experience with data governance tooling and regulatory compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, implement, and manage enterprise data governance frameworks, policies, standards, and operating models.
• Drive data quality management, metadata management, data lineage mapping, and data cataloguing.
• Define data ownership models, governance workflows, and accountability structures.
• Spearhead MDM, RDM, data classification, and data lifecycle management initiatives.
• Collaborate with AI governance and data engineering teams for compliance readiness.
• Conduct data audits, risk assessments, and regulatory compliance evaluations.
• Facilitate cross-functional workshops and stakeholder trainings on governance.
• Maintain governance documentation, policy repositories, and executive logs.

Skills

Data governance

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Analytical problem-solving

Executive communication

Legal work authorization

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Data Management

Tools

MDM

RDM

Collibra

Alation

Informatica Axon

Job description

Position Summary:

Driving enterprise-wide data governance, data management strategy, and AI governance frameworks in Dubai, UAE, IT People Gulf is actively seeking an accomplished Data Governance Lead for a permanent full-time professional engagement. In this vital strategic leadership role, you will architect, implement, and govern enterprise data governance frameworks, policies, standards, and operating models across complex multinational operations. Bringing 8+ years of progressive professional experience in data governance, data quality, and enterprise data strategy, you will empower global enterprise clients to achieve uncompromised data integrity, regulatory compliance, and robust data asset valuation. This prestigious career opportunity offers competitive remuneration, high executive visibility, and professional growth within a premier global IT consulting and executive recruitment enterprise.

Detailed Job Description:

As a Data Governance Lead supporting IT People Gulf on an on-site basis in Dubai, UAE, you will take full operational, tactical, and strategic ownership of data stewardship models, metadata management, data lineage implementation, and data cataloguing initiatives. Your day-to-day responsibilities include defining data ownership structures, governance workflows, master data management (MDM) and reference data management (RDM) standards, driving data quality management and data lifecycle policies, collaborating with multidisciplinary data engineering and compliance squads, and interacting directly with senior technical recruiters like Sarita K. Furthermore, you will manage application requirements by submitting your updated CV via direct email to Sarita K at [e-mail].

Key Responsibilities:

• Architect, design, implement, and manage enterprise data governance frameworks, corporate data policies, standards, and operating models.
• Drive comprehensive data quality management, metadata management, data lineage mapping, data cataloguing, and business glossaries.
• Define and establish data ownership models, data stewardship responsibilities, governance workflows, and accountability structures.
• Spearhead Master Data Management (MDM), Reference Data Management (RDM), data classification, and data lifecycle management initiatives.
• Collaborate with AI governance and data engineering teams to ensure ethical data utilization, model accuracy, and compliance readiness.
• Conduct rigorous data audits, risk assessments, and compliance evaluations against regional and international data protection regulations.
• Facilitate cross-functional workshops and stakeholder training sessions to promote a data-driven corporate culture and governance awareness.
• Maintain meticulous governance documentation, policy repositories, data dictionary standards, and executive audit compliance logs.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Management, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 8+ years of progressive professional hands-on experience in data governance, data management, data quality, or enterprise data strategy.
• Strong, demonstrable operational expertise in implementing enterprise data governance frameworks and organizational operating models.
• Comprehensive working knowledge and practical proficiency in metadata management, data lineage tools, data cataloguing, and business glossaries.
• Deep practical experience in Master Data Management (MDM), Reference Data Management (RDM), data classification, and data lifecycle policies.
• Solid practical grasp of data governance tooling, data quality engines, and regulatory compliance standards.
• Exceptional analytical problem-solving aptitude, executive stakeholder management capabilities, and professional communication skills.
• Mandatory legal work authorization and physical availability for professional operations in Dubai, UAE.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Professional certifications such as Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) or Information Governance Professional (IGP).
• Hands-on familiarity with AI governance frameworks, machine learning data pipelines, and cloud data platforms.
• Prior professional working experience in top-tier multinational banking, telecommunications, or government sector digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience utilizing enterprise data governance and cataloguing platforms (Collibra, Alation, Informatica Axon).
• Active participation in data management associations, industry forums, or enterprise architecture think tanks.

Application Information:

• Recruiter: IT People Gulf Recruitment Division
• Contact Name: Sarita K (Senior Technical Recruiter)
• Email: [e-mail]
• Phone:
• Company Website: https://www.itpeoplegulf.com
• Salary/Rate: Market Competitive / Enterprise Executive Compensation Package
• Deadline: Open until filled (Urgent Dubai Data Governance Lead Opening)
• Notice Period: Immediate to 30 Days Preferred
• Contract Duration: Permanent / Full-Time On-Site Engagement (Dubai, UAE)

Recruitment Pro Tip:

When applying for this Data Governance Lead position through IT People Gulf, ensure your resume explicitly highlights your framework implementation portfolio, Master Data Management (MDM) expertise, and executive stakeholder engagement record.