Head of Data Governance

BSI; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading business improvement organization in the UK is seeking a Head of Data Governance to lead its enterprise data function. This role involves managing data governance frameworks, enhancing data quality, and engaging with key stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in data governance and excellent communication skills. The position offers a hybrid work model, allowing flexibility in working arrangements. You'll contribute significantly to ensuring data is well-managed and aligned with organizational goals.

Benefits

27-days annual leave

Paid sick leave

Health insurance

Life insurance

Pension plan with company contribution

Car allowance

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading data governance or data management functions within complex or regulated environments.
• Deep understanding of data stewardship, metadata management, and data quality principles.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and continual improvement of the enterprise data governance framework.
• Own the data stewardship model ensuring accountability within business units.
• Manage and develop a team of data stewards and governance professionals.

Skills

Data governance

Stakeholder management

Data stewardship

Data quality principles

Metadata management

Compliance knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Relevant experience in data governance

Tools

Collibra

Alation

Informatica

Purview

Job description

Job Title: Head of Data Governance

Location: London/Milton Keynes - Hybrid (once a month in London office)

Type: Permanent

We are hiring for a Head of Data Governance to lead the enterprise data governance function and be responsible for ensuring that data across the organisation is trusted, well-managed, and strategically aligned to business objectives.

In this role you will report directly to the Chief Data Officer (CDO), this role owns the data stewardship framework, manages the delivery of data catalogues and governance tooling, and partners closely with business and technology leaders to embed governance principles into the enterprise data strategy and operating model.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Ownership

• Lead the development and continual improvement of the enterprise data governance framework in alignment with the CDO’s strategy and organisational goals.
• Own the data stewardship model, ensuring every business unit and function has defined data owners and stewards with clear accountability.
• Manage and develop a team of data stewards and governance professionals, providing coaching and leadership.
• Collaborate with the CDO and the Head of Data Strategy to deliver key artefacts, including the Data Governance Strategy, Data Management Policy, and Enterprise Data Standards.
• Act as the organisation’s subject matter expert for data ownership, stewardship, and governance best practices.

Operational Delivery

• Oversee and evolve the organisation’s data cataloguing and metadata management capabilities, ensuring data assets are well-documented, discoverable, and governed.
• Define and maintain data quality metrics, lineage, and classification standards, supporting accountability through business data owners.
• Partner with architecture, platform, and analytics teams to embed governance controls and metadata management into data pipelines and platforms.
• Drive consistency and standardisation of data definitions and taxonomy across the enterprise.

Collaboration & Engagement

• Chair or support Data Governance Councils and Data Stewardship Forums, providing clear direction and follow-up on governance initiatives.
• Collaborate with compliance, information security, and legal teams to ensure governance policies align with data privacy and regulatory frameworks (GDPR, ISO27001, etc.).
• Partner with business unit leaders to promote a culture of data ownership, trust, and accountability.
• Provide executive-level reporting on governance maturity, data quality trends, and stewardship performance to the CDO and Data Leadership Team.

To be successful in the role, you will have

• Proven experience leading data governance or data management functions within complex or regulated environments.
• Deep understanding of data stewardship, metadata management, and data quality principles.
• Proficiency with data governance and cataloguing tools (e.g., Collibra, Alation, Informatica, Purview, or similar).
• Strong knowledge of data policy frameworks, including data privacy, compliance, and information security integration.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills; able to influence across business, technology, and executive levels.
• Track record of delivering scalable data governance operating models and measurable improvements in data quality and literacy.
• Strategic yet pragmatic: balances governance control with business enablement.
• Collaborative leader: empowers others and builds cross‑functional alignment.
• Outcome‑driven: focuses on measurable impact and business value.
• Trusted advisor: credible partner to executives and data leaders.

Grow your career and expand your skills and knowledge. At BSI, we offer opportunities to work across industries and across the globe. You’ll benefit from the different perspectives and experiences of your international colleagues, as well as ongoing training and development.

We offer flexible working, as well as 27-days annual leave, paid sick leave, bank holidays, health insurance, life insurance, pension plan with company contribution, car allowance (dependent on role), income protection, paid maternity leave, paid paternity leave, paid parental leave, adoption leave, compassionate leave, paid bereavement leave, learning and development opportunities, and a wide range of flexible benefits that you can tailor to suit your lifestyle.

Together, we are building an organisation that is ready to meet the challenges ahead. Grow your career as you help us shape what comes next.

We exist to have a positive impact. Our people influence international thinking and action on important issues. Our 86,000 customers are based in 193 countries across the globe.

Now we’re taking on society’s biggest challenges. We’re developing standards and guidelines that will help our customers get to net zero, and we’re defining the way new technologies such as AI impact all our lives.

We’re focused on our future – and we’re looking for people who want to grow with us as we take on the challenges of tomorrow. At BSI, you’ll find a workplace where everyone can flourish and thrive, where innovation is encouraged and where learning is part of your everyday. You’ll contribute to work that shapes industries and enhances lives – and you’ll take pride in what you do.

We’re looking for passionate people who want to make a difference in a purpose‑led organisation. If that sounds like you, apply now. Together, we can help create a better society and a more sustainable world.

D&I Policy

BSI is committed to ensuring the diversity of our workforce reflects that of our clients and the communities in which we operate. Our goal is to create a sense of belonging for all employees by providing opportunities to develop, grow, and engage with our global organization all while having fun doing great work. BSI is a community where everyone can thrive.

If you require any reasonable accommodations to be made on account of a disability or impairment throughout our recruiting process, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner.

About Us

BSI is a business improvement and standards company and for over a century BSI has been recognized for having a positive impact on organizations and society, building trust and enhancing lives.

Today BSI partners with more than 77,500 clients in 195 countries and engages with a 15,000 strong global community of experts, industry and consumer groups, organizations and governments.

Utilizing its extensive expertise in key industry sectors - including automotive, aerospace, built environment, food and retail, and healthcare - BSI delivers on its purpose by helping its clients fulfil theirs.

Living by our core values of Client-Centricity, Agility, and Collaboration, BSI provides organizations with the confidence to grow by partnering with them to tackle society’s critical issues – from climate change to building trust in digital transformation and everything in between - to accelerate progress towards a better society and a sustainable world.

BSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.