Data Governance Lead

DAC Beachcroft LLP; City Of London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Income protection insurance

Discounted gym membership

Professional funding

ESG activities involvement

Job summary

DAC Beachcroft LLP in London – Woolgate is seeking an experienced Data Governance Lead to establish and continuously enhance our data governance framework across the firm. You will ensure claims, client and case data remain accurate, trusted and compliant, working with business and technology teams.

You will define standards, policies and controls, lead cross-functional governance forums, collaborate with the DPO, and support GDPR DPIAs and AI data governance initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing or improving data governance in regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK GDPR and practical application in regulated settings.
• Experience with data governance tools and metadata management.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and improvement of the data governance framework.
• Define data quality standards, ownership models and metadata controls.
• Drive data classification, access control and data lineage across systems.
• Monitor KPIs, troubleshoot data quality issues with stakeholders.
• Provide training and guidance to owners and stewards on governance.

Skills

Data governance

UK GDPR

Microsoft Purview

Data catalogue

Metadata management

Data lineage

Stakeholder management

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Purview

Data catalogue

Metadata management

Data lineage

Job description

Data Governance Lead

Department: CSG - Operations Hub (Data / Intelligence / Support)

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: London - Woolgate

Description

We are seeking an experienced Data Governance Lead to establish, lead and continuously enhance our enterprise data governance framework. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring that the firm's claims, client and case data remains accurate, trusted, appropriately protected and compliant with regulatory requirements.

Working across business and technology functions, you will define the standards, policies and controls that underpin effective data management while supporting the organisation's growing use of analytics, automation and AI. You will act as the central point of expertise for data governance, helping colleagues understand and fulfil their responsibilities as data owners, stewards and custodians.

What you will do?

As the Data Governance Lead, you will:

• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the firm's data governance framework.
• Define and maintain data quality standards, ownership models, metadata management and data lineage documentation.
• Drive data classification and access control practices across case management, finance and CRM systems.
• Establish and monitor data quality KPIs, and work with business stakeholders to resolve data quality issues and root causes.
• Provide practical guidance, training and communication that enable colleagues, data owners and stewards to understand and fulfil their data governance obligations, adopting governance best practices.
• Partner with the Data Protection Officer (DPO), and relevant business owners to ensure effective governance and regulatory compliance.
• Support GDPR compliance activities, including Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and governance of data used within our data estate, and AI and machine learning solutions.
• Act as the primary point of contact for data-related regulatory and governance matters.
• Define policies and standards for third-party and AI vendor data handling.
• Chair a cross-functional data governance forum, ensuring decisions, actions, risks and accountability are clearly documented and tracked through to completion.

Who you are

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience designing, implementing or improving data governance frameworks in a complex or regulated environment.
• Good working knowledge of UK GDPR and its practical application within a regulated environment.
• Experience with data catalogue, metadata and data lineage tools, such as Microsoft Purview or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of master data management principles and data quality management practices.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with the ability to engage colleagues at all levels, including senior leadership.
• Experience driving governance initiatives whilst balancing operational and business delivery requirements.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Familiarity with recognised data management principles or frameworks, such as DAMA-DMBOK or equivalent best practices.
• Experience working within insurance, legal services, financial services or other highly regulated sectors.
• Understanding of Responsible AI principles, AI governance frameworks and the risks associated with AI-enabled solutions.
• Experience supporting governance requirements for machine learning and advanced analytics initiatives.
• Knowledge of SRA data handling obligations, and insurer/corporate client data-sharing requirements are desirable but not mandatory.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of data governance within a growing, data-driven organisation. You will:

• Play a leading role in building trust and confidence in the organisation's data assets.
• Influence strategy and decision-making at a senior level.
• Help enable the successful adoption of advanced analytics, automation and AI.
• Work collaboratively across business, technology, compliance and risk functions.
• Lead meaningful change that improves data quality, compliance and operational efficiency.
• Join a collaborative and forward-thinking Data & Analytics function.

Success Measures

Success in this role will be measured through:

• Improved data quality across key business datasets.
• Adoption and maturity of the firm's data governance framework.
• Effective implementation of data ownership, stewardship and accountability models.
• Compliance with GDPR and internal data governance requirements.
• Reduction in data-related risks, incidents and audit findings.
• Increased visibility of data lineage, metadata and data quality metrics.
• Successful governance of AI and third-party data usage initiatives.

What's in it for you?

• High levels of flexibility and a great work life balance - https://www.dacbeachcroft.com/en/Work-with-us/Whats-in-it-for-you
• A well-rounded remuneration package (which includes private medical insurance, income protection insurance and discounted gym membership, amongst many other benefits)
• Opportunities for growth and progression including professional funding
• In person and remote social events
• Opportunity to get involved in a range of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, which aligns closely to our cultural principles (Determined, Clear, Creative and Supportive). If you are excited about this role and being part of our culture, but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!