Metadata Program Lead: Data Governance & AI Readiness

Balance Recruitment; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Balance Recruitment is seeking a senior Lead Data Manager to drive the uplift of metadata for priority data assets across multiple domains. You will shape project delivery, guide metadata specialists and collaborate with stakeholders to build reliable, well-governed data foundations that support strategic decision‑making and AI readiness.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role requiring the ability to set clear priorities, manage delivery across a multidisciplinary team, and ensure quality

Qualifications

• Strong data governance and metadata management experience.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive strategic initiatives.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end uplift of business metadata across priority data assets.
• Define governance, milestones, and reporting cadence for the project.
• Oversee metadata registries, data dictionaries and lineage documentation.
• Coordinate with AI projects and program areas to harmonise terminology.
• Manage delivery risks, blockers and dependencies.
• Ensure metadata records are clear for business and technical audiences.

Skills

Data governance

Metadata management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Analytical thinking

Documentation & training

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Project tracking tools

Job description

Balance Recruitment is seeking a senior Lead Data Manager to drive the uplift of metadata for priority data assets across multiple domains. You will shape project delivery, guide metadata specialists and collaborate with stakeholders to build reliable, well-governed data foundations that support strategic decision‑making and AI readiness.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role requiring the ability to set clear priorities, manage delivery across a multidisciplinary team, and ensure quality