Data Governance Manager

Pennon Group; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Annual Bonus Scheme

Pension Scheme

Flexible Working Options - hybrid

Healthcare Benefits

Employee Discounts

Annual Leave

Job summary

Pennon Group in Exeter seeks a Data Governance Manager to lead the enterprise-wide governance framework, ensuring data is trusted and well-managed to support decisions, regulatory needs, digital services, analytics and AI initiatives.

You will own the governance framework, drive accountability, and promote collaboration across Data Owners, Stewards and Custodians while leveraging Purview/Collibra. This role offers hybrid working and a strong benefits package.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in Data Governance, Data Management or Data Quality within a complex organisation.
• Proven experience embedding governance practices and driving organisational change.
• Experience working with Data Owners, Data Stewards and senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of data quality, metadata management, data lineage and data classification.
• The ability to bridge business and technology teams effectively.
• Experience supporting data, digital or transformation programmes.
• Familiarity with tools such as Microsoft Purview, Collibra, or similar governance platforms is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own and continuously develop the Data Governance framework, policies, standards and operating model.
• Embed clear accountability across Data Owners, Data Stewards and Data Custodians.
• Lead the Data Quality framework, including measurement, reporting and remediation activities.
• Drive adoption of metadata, data lineage, data classification and business glossary standards.
• Identify and mitigate data risks through effective governance and controls.
• Ensure governance requirements are embedded within key projects, data products and transformation programmes.
• Develop governance KPIs and provide senior leadership with visibility of data quality, ownership and risk.
• Support the launch and growth of the Pennon Data Alliance, promoting collaboration between Data teams and the wider business.

Skills

Data Governance

Data Management

Data Quality

Stakeholder Management

Bridge Business & Tech

Tools

Microsoft Purview

Collibra

Job description

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

At Pennon Group, we're proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power, we're leading the way in water and renewables.

We're proud to be recognised as a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you're starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.

Data Governance Manager

Shape the future of data across our organisation.

We are looking for an experienced Data Governance Manager to lead the development and implementation of our enterprise-wide Data Governance framework, ensuring data is trusted, well-managed, and used effectively to support business decisions, regulatory requirements, digital services, analytics, and AI initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and continuously develop the Data Governance framework, policies, standards and operating model.
• Embed clear accountability across Data Owners, Data Stewards and Data Custodians.
• Lead the Data Quality framework, including measurement, reporting and remediation activities.
• Drive adoption of metadata, data lineage, data classification and business glossary standards.
• Identify and mitigate data risks through effective governance and controls.
• Ensure governance requirements are embedded within key projects, data products and transformation programmes.
• Develop governance KPIs and provide senior leadership with visibility of data quality, ownership and risk.
• Support the launch and growth of the Pennon Data Alliance, promoting collaboration between Data teams and the wider business.

About You

You'll have:

• Strong experience in Data Governance, Data Management or Data Quality within a complex organisation.
• Proven experience embedding governance practices and driving organisational change.
• Experience working with Data Owners, Data Stewards and senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of data quality, metadata management, data lineage and data classification.
• The ability to bridge business and technology teams effectively.
• Experience supporting data, digital or transformation programmes.
• Familiarity with tools such as Microsoft Purview, Collibra, or similar governance platforms is advantageous.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to influence how data is managed and used across the organisation, helping to ensure it remains a trusted strategic asset while supporting innovation, digital transformation, and future AI capabilities.

Apply today and help us build a data-driven future.

If you're passionate about operational excellence, developing people, and delivering outstanding service, we'd love to hear from you.

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our Data Governance Manager, you'll enjoy:

• Competitive Salary - Based on experience and skills
• Annual Bonus Scheme - Recognising company performance
• Pension Scheme - Helping you plan for your future
• Flexible Working Options - We value work-life balance and offer flexible hours and hybrid working where possible
• Healthcare Benefits - Access to employee assistance programs
• Employee Discounts - On various products and services
• Annual Leave - Take time to recharge with our holiday entitlement

Closing Date: 9th October 2026

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.