Data Steward Advisor

Federation of Canadian Municipalities; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work model

Hybrid/remote options

Travel to Ottawa Head Office

Job summary

Federation of Canadian Municipalities is seeking a Data Steward Advisor to lead the data lifecycle for the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies program. You will collaborate with IS and program teams to design data collection, governance, and presentation across GMF systems.

You will develop dashboards, ensure data quality, and support program reporting with advanced analytics, visualization, and best practices in data management. This contract role supports Ottawa-based activities.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in a related field (public/business administration, economics, data science, or project management).
• Strong data manipulation and visualization skills with Excel and PowerBI, CRM software and databases.
• Experience with urban forestry data collection and i-Tree tools.
• Experience launching data collection programs and new systems.
• Experience as a Data Architect/Reporting Architect or similar role with data modeling and warehousing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full data lifecycle: collection, validation, cleaning, storage and analysis.
• Document data standards, definitions, sources and usage with cross-functional teams.
• Develop and manage data collection processes to ensure quality and integrity.
• Lead dynamic, automated reporting with IS collaboration.
• Create program databases with accurate, up-to-date information.
• Design and develop program dashboards using Power BI to showcase results.
• Lead data management improvements and governance processes.
• Produce dashboards/reports using Power BI, CRM and GMF tools.
• Coordinate with teams to deliver effective program insights.

Skills

Excel

PowerBI

SQL

Python

DAX

CRM

Data modeling

Data warehousing

Cloud platforms

Education

Post-secondary education

Tools

AWS

Azure

Google Cloud

Job description

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of local governments, representing their interests with the federal government.

With over 2,000 members, including Canada’s largest cities, small urban areas, rural and remote communities, as well as 20 provincial and territorial municipal associations, FCM represents more than 90% of the country’s population. Through its advocacy, funding offers and diverse programs, FCM’s work has a direct impact on Canadians’ quality of life.

At FCM, we are committed to making the communities Canadians live in more prosperous, sustainable, and equitable. We aspire to be deeply respectful, collaborative, empowering and inclusive. All leaders in the organization embrace these values, the corporate culture and the passion for FCM’s mission.

About This Role

The Data Steward Advisor will report to the Manager, Impact and Performance, Community Canopies. The incumbent will support the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC).

The Data Steward Advisor is a technical subject matter expert, responsible for leading and managing the development of every aspect of GCCC’s data lifecycle and making key decisions around data collection, governance and presentation. This includes design and implementation of the data collection architecture for the program, inclusive of data integration, data flow and data integrity. The Data Steward Advisor ensures that the design, integration, and usability of program data meets the needs of the stakeholders as well as program reporting. This also includes leading the continuous improvement and development of program dashboards, developing standardized and formalized data collection processes, collecting and managing the program data and information for program reporting activities, providing high-level advice and support to the I&P Manager and GCCC Program Director, and providing advisory support to the Data Coordinators and other team members. The Data Steward is also responsible for maintaining a close working relationship with FCM’s IS team and leading the process of automating the program’s data collection, integrating GCCC’s reporting into existing GMF systems and dashboards and importing all data collection tools into the FCM portal.

The Data Steward Advisor works towards the real time representation of program data for monitoring while also collaboratively implementing data management processes that showcase program achievements and results for internal and external audiences.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Implements and oversees the full data lifecycle, including data collection, validation, cleaning, documentation, storage, and analysis, to ensure data quality, integrity, and usability. This includes working with data through third party sources such as the Planting Activity Report.
• Lead the facilitation of a cross-functional process to establish and document clear standards for project data – what information is captured, data definitions, how it is used, when it changes, sources and supporting documentation.
• Develop, implement and manage a clear process for data collection to ensure data quality/integrity.
• Responsible for leading the initiative, in collaboration with IS, to create dynamic, automated reporting.
• Develop program databases that meet the needs of the program, including that it contains accurate, complete, and up-to-date information. Work closely with team members to ensure a high standard of quality control and identify data inconsistencies or errors for continuous and final program reporting.
• Using PowerBI, design and develop program overview dashboards showcasing project and program results.
• Lead the development of data management and improvement processes
• Liaise with other program teams to create and produce program dashboard and reports, using Power BI, CRM and GLMS, that support better program delivery, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Lead and manage the integration of program results analysis and results presentation.
• Lead and manage the design of the data architecture for the programs, including ensuring the alignment with GMF processes, data integration, data flow and data integrity.
• Perform initial quantitative and qualitative analysis of program data and data collected from program-funded initiatives. Create visual representations of program data and results (e.g., graphs, charts, maps, etc.).
• Develop, update, and maintain data collection and analysis tools.
• In collaboration with key internal stakeholders, identify, develop, optimize, and implement best practices and business processes within data management and reporting with the objective of achieving operational excellence.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives through dashboards and reports.
• Advise the I&P coordinators and other teams on developing and implementing data collection, management and visualization methodologies.
• Lead the process of automating the program’s data collection, integrating GCCC’s reporting into existing GMF systems and dashboards and importing all data collection tools into the FCM portal.
• Develop and implement standardized SOPs for data collection and reporting on funding offers
• Coordinates and manages external consultants engaged in evaluation, analysis, or tool development, including the development of terms of reference, oversight of deliverables, and quality assurance.
• Ensures compliance with approved reporting schedules, contribution agreements, data privacy obligations, and data-sharing agreements.
• Provide high-level advice and support to the Manager, Impact and Performance in miscellaneous projects and tasks, as required.

Knowledge And Experience

• Post-secondary education in a related field (public or business administration, economics, data science, project management, etc.)
• Strong knowledge of business support processes and tools, particularly advanced data manipulation and visualization skills using Microsoft Excel, PowerBI, computer business applications (MS Office suite, including Microsoft PowerPoint), customer-relationship management (CRM) software and database management.
• Experience conducting data collection for urban forestry initiatives and implementing urban forestry tools including the i-Tree suit.
• Experience launching programs and establishing new data collection systems.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent research and project coordination skills.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills with experience documenting processes
• Exceptional organization skills, ability to work independently with good initiative and judgement, ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple tasks, and work towards deadlines.
• Proven experience as a Data Architect, Reporting Architect, or a similar role with strong understanding of data modeling, data integration, data warehousing, machine learning and reporting concepts
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Spark) for scalable machine learning.
• Proficiency with programming frameworks and languages such as SQL, Python, TextBlob, scikit-learn., DAX
• Demonstrated experience with strong storytelling and visualization techniques using multiple tools including Excel, PowerBI, Microsoft CRM, etc. is required.
• Strong knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean is an asset.
• This posting is for an existing vacancy.
• This is a temporary contract position ending in January 2028

What We Offer

We offer a flexible work model grounded in accountability, collaboration, and delivering results. It is designed to support both performance and well-being. While work is primarily virtual, occasional travel to our Head Office in Ottawa is expected. The majority of the team is based in the National Capital Region.

Where applicable, you may also have opportunities to travel across Canada to engage with the communities we support and better understand the impact of our work.

Employee Experience And Supports

We are committed to creating an environment where people can do their best work while maintaining a healthy balance including:

• Flexible work arrangements that support productivity and collaboration
• Summer schedule (July 1 to Labour Day):
• Fridays off, aligned with team and operational needs
• Ongoing commitment to employee development
• Comprehensive range of employee benefits and services designed to support employee wellbeing and development. Please note: details and eligibility may vary depending on the role
• Modern office space in Ottawa’s ByWard Market and downtown core

We’re committed to fostering an organizational culture that embraces equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, where individuals from diverse racial and ethnic identities, ages, nationalities, social economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and physical and mental abilities can thrive and be fully engaged at their best level.

We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.

The future of work at FCM includes a hybrid work model; therefore, this role will be a combination of virtual and on-site work. The successful candidate is required live within 80kms of downtown Ottawa, unless otherwise specified, and be authorized to work in Canada.

As part of our recruitment process, we use automated artificial intelligence tools to screen applicants. All AI-generated assessments are reviewed and validated by our People and Culture team.

In closing....