Data Governance Lead

CI Financial; Toronto; On-site; CAD 69,500 - 119,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training Reimbursement

Paid Professional Designations

Employee Savings Plan (ESP)

Corporate Discount Program

Enhanced group benefits

Parental Leave Top-up program

Paid time off for Volunteering

Job summary

A leading financial services company in Toronto is seeking a Data Governance Lead to manage the organization's data governance framework. The role involves ensuring data quality and compliance, collaborating with stakeholders, and implementing data policies. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience in data management, proficient SQL skills, and the ability to work with technical teams. This position requires a commitment to fostering a data-driven culture and includes a competitive salary and benefits package, all in a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in data management or governance.
• Experience with data governance tools is essential.
• Ability to work with technical teams and resolve data issues.

Responsibilities

• Oversee data governance framework development and management.
• Ensure compliance with data policies and legal obligations.
• Develop and deliver data governance training programs.

Skills

Data governance experience

SQL proficiency

Strong analytical mindset

Excellent communication skills

Education

Degree in information management, data science, or computer science

Tools

Collibra

MS Purview

Informatica

Alation

Snowflake

Oracle

Python

Jira

Job description

At CI, we see a great place to work as one that is a safe place for everyone to have a voice, where people are empowered to take ownership over meaningful work, where there is an opportunity to grow through stretching themselves, where they can work on innovative products and projects, and where employees are supported and engaged in doing so.

The Data Governance Lead is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and management of an organization’s data governance framework. This role ensures that data is managed consistently and used appropriately, improving the quality, accessibility, and security of data across the enterprise. The Data Governance Lead collaborates with stakeholders across business units to bring accessibility of understanding to data, enforce data policies, standards, and best practices, driving a culture of data-driven decision-making.

We are seeking candidates who have a background as a technical data practitioner and have experience understanding how data physically moves through platforms, profiling data using SQL, validating lineage, and partnering closely with Engineering to ensure data quality, reliability, and metadata accuracy. The successful candidate must be comfortable working directly with data, data models, and technical stakeholders. Candidates with prior experience as Data Stewards will be strongly considered for this role.

What you will do

• Data Governance Frameworks: Contribute to refining the priorities and scope of CI’s Data Governance program to align with business objectives. Shape processes, roles and CI’s use of technology to achieve these objectives.
• Metadata Management: Develop a process to manage metadata effectively, ensuring data and reporting concepts are well-documented and accessible across the organization. Curation of metadata will require Data Governance Lead to efficiently learn and understand asset management concepts, as this will be required to successfully engage with business stakeholders.
• Data Lineage Investigation: Trace and document the origin, transformation, and flow of data used in business reports, ensuring transparency and clarity on how information is produced.
• Data Classification: Work with the Privacy Office and other stakeholders to refine CI’s Data Classification and Data Access Management Standards and Policies. Work with Data Engineering and Operations stakeholders to implement data access management rules based on the standards and policies you have worked to define.
• Data Policies and Standards: Work with business, IT teams and the Data Governance Council to define and enforce data policies, standards, and procedures, ensuring compliance with internal and external regulations.
• Data Quality Management: Recommend and lead initiatives to monitor and improve data accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with data owners, stewards, and business units to promote a data governance culture. Oversee data stewardship activities, ensuring data custodianship roles are clearly defined and maintained.
• Risk and Compliance: Ensure that data governance practices comply with applicable legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations.
• Data Governance Tools: This role may involve evaluating, selecting, and implementing data governance tools, technologies, and methodologies that enhance data management practices.
• Reporting and Metrics: Develop and maintain dashboards and reports to measure data governance program performance, data quality, and compliance with governance policies.
• Training and Awareness: Develop and deliver data governance training programs for business and technical stakeholders to ensure understanding and compliance with data governance practices.

What you will bring

• 5+ years of experience in data management, governance, or a related field.
• Proven experience contributing to data governance programs.
• Experience with data governance tools (e.g., Collibra, MS Purview, Informatica, Alation).
• Experience developing a Business Glossary.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across teams and communicate complex data and reporting detail effectively.
• Experience with developing training materials and conducting sessions.
• Experience gathering and collaborating with different technical teams (e.g. Cloud, dba, developers, vendor support) to resolve data issues.
• Experience in the Financial Services Industry is an asset.

Education/Training

• Degree in information management, data science, computer science, or related field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Technical

• Strong working knowledge and understanding of SQL.
• A strong analytical mindset with the ability to efficiently deconstruct and understand complex spreadsheets, complex SQL queries and complex multi-hop data lineage.
• Proficient with tools and technologies including Snowflake, Oracle, Python, Jira (Agile), Visio.
• Experience with data modelling concepts
• Experience building or validating technical lineage
• Ability to read and understand ETL/ELT logic (SQL, Python, dbt, stored procedures)

Nice to have:

• Experience with API-based metadata harvesting
• Experience writing Python for data validation or metadata automation
• Understanding of CI/CD concepts

Non-Technical:

• Knowledge of industry data governance frameworks (e.g., DAMA, DCAM).
• Business and technical requirements documentation skills.
• Experience with governing structured and unstructured data.
• Knowledge of data privacy regulations, compliance requirements and risk management.
• Ability to work within an organization based upon continuous improvement.
• Appreciation of the value of data as an asset and importance of data reliability.
• Passion for democratizing data and improving organizational data literacy.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliverables.

This opportunity is for an existing vacancy with the company. The anticipated base salary range for this position is $69,500 - $119,500. Exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a bonus program. In addition, The Company offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage, wellness programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time, and many others. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.

This role follows our in‑office work model and requires employees to be onsite four days per week to support collaboration and business needs.

CI Financial is an independent company offering global wealth management and asset management advisory services through diverse financial services firms. Since 1965, we have consistently anticipated and responded to the changing needs of investors. We are driven by a commitment to provide individuals and institutions with the highest-quality investments and advice. Our commitment to the highest levels of performance means that whatever their position, CI employees must be comfortable in a fast-paced environment that will stretch them to tap into their highest potential. Employees with a healthy dose of ambition, a desire to commit to a curious mindset for continuous learning, and a willingness to go the extra mile thrive at CI.

A Supportive Environment for Success

We offer an in-office environment, competitive benefits, and a supportive workplace to help our employees thrive both personally and professionally.

What we offer

• Modern HQ location within walking distance from Union Station
• Training Reimbursement
• Paid Professional Designations
• Employee Savings Plan (ESP)
• Corporate Discount Program
• Enhanced group benefits
• Parental Leave Top–up program
• Paid time off for Volunteering

We are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce. If you are excited about this role and are not confident you meet all the qualification requirements, we encourage you to apply to investigate the opportunity further.

Please submit your resume in confidence by clicking “Apply”. Only qualified candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. CI Financial Corp. and all of our affiliates (“CI”) are committed to fair and accessible employment practices and provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. If you require accommodations in order to apply for any job opportunities, require this posting in an additional format, or require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process please contact us at [e-mail], or call 416-364-1145 ext. 4747.