Head of Data Governance

WRK digital; Worcester; On-site; GBP 93,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

WRK digital in Worcester is seeking a Head of Data Governance to lead the enterprise Data Governance strategy and drive data as a strategic asset. You will partner with senior stakeholders to shape governance, quality, and lifecycle practices across acquisitions and digital transformation.

You will champion data governance, build capability, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements while delivering measurable improvements in data quality and risk management.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Extensive experience leading enterprise Data Governance and Data Quality programmes.
• Strong knowledge of SAP data structures including ECC, S/4HANA.
• Experience configuring Aperture Data Governance Studio.
• Knowledge of GDPR and data ethics principles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the organisation's Data Governance strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
• Establish and maintain enterprise Data Governance frameworks, policies, standards and operating models.
• Champion data as a strategic asset and foster a data-driven culture across the business.
• Lead the monthly Data Governance Forum with Data Owners, Data Stewards and senior stakeholders.
• Define and monitor Data Quality KPIs and governance metrics.
• Drive improvements in data quality, metadata management, and master data management.
• Configure and administer Aperture Data Governance Studio for critical data assets.
• Lead governance activities supporting acquisitions and data migration programmes.
• Collaborate with Risk, Compliance and Information Security to align with regulatory frameworks.
• Identify, assess and elevate data risks.
• Build and develop a high-performing Data Governance team.
• Deliver training and communications to increase governance adoption.
• Lead governance-related projects and organisational change.

Skills

Data Governance

Data Quality

MDM

SAP ECC/S4HANA

Data Lifecycle

Aperture Data Governance Studio

GDPR Knowledge

Agile/Scrum/DevOps

Stakeholder Management

Leadership

Education

Degree or equivalent

Data Governance qualification

Business Analysis

Tools

Aperture Data Governance Studio

Microsoft 365

Job description

Reporting to: Director of Data Management

Salary: £93,150 + £9,800 car allowance - rising to £98,078 on achieving proficient level after 1 year

Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Are you a strategic data leader with a passion for transforming how organisations manage and leverage data? We're looking for an experienced Head of Data Governance to lead the development and delivery of our enterprise-wide Data Governance strategy, ensuring data is trusted, secure and positioned as a strategic business asset.

This is an exciting leadership opportunity to shape data governance across a complex organisation, working closely with senior stakeholders to drive cultural change, improve data quality and support business growth.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Data Management, you will be responsible for establishing and embedding a robust Data Governance framework across the organisation. You'll champion best practice, build governance capability, and lead a high-performing team while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.

You will play a pivotal role in supporting strategic initiatives, including acquisitions, digital transformation and enterprise data management.

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop and implement the organisation's Data Governance strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
• Establish and maintain enterprise Data Governance frameworks, policies, standards and operating models.
• Champion data as a strategic asset and foster a data-driven culture across the business.
• Lead the monthly Data Governance Forum, engaging Data Owners, Data Stewards, technical teams and senior business stakeholders.
• Define and monitor Data Quality KPIs, governance metrics and reporting.
• Drive continuous improvements in data quality, metadata management, master data management and data lifecycle management.
• Configure and administer Aperture Data Governance Studio, ensuring critical data assets are profiled, documented and effectively governed.
• Lead data governance activities supporting acquisitions and data migration programmes.
• Collaborate with Risk, Compliance and Information Security teams to ensure governance aligns with regulatory and assurance frameworks.
• Identify, assess and elevate data risks appropriately.
• Build, coach and develop a high-performing Data Governance team.
• Deliver training and communications that increase awareness and adoption of Data Governance across the organisation.
• Lead governance-related projects and organisational change initiatives.

About You

You'll be an experienced data governance professional who combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. You enjoy influencing senior stakeholders, leading teams and driving meaningful organisational change.

You'll ideally have:

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Business Analysis qualification or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience leading enterprise Data Governance and Data Quality programmes within complex organisations.
• Strong knowledge of:
• Data Governance
• Data Quality Management
• Metadata Management
• Master Data Management (MDM)
• Data Lifecycle Management
• Experience configuring and administering Aperture Data Governance Studio.
• Strong understanding of SAP data structures, including ECC, S/4HANA and cloud-based SAP products.
• Experience defining Data Quality rules, standards and governance processes.
• Working knowledge of Agile, Scrum and DevOps delivery methodologies.
• Experience analysing and resolving complex data issues.
• Knowledge of GDPR, the Data Protection Act and broader data ethics principles.
• Advanced Microsoft 365 skills.

Leadership Skills

We're looking for someone who can:

• Inspire and develop high-performing teams.
• Influence senior stakeholders across technology and business functions.
• Build strong collaborative relationships.
• Communicate complex technical concepts in a clear and engaging way.
• Balance strategic planning with operational delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement and organisational change.

Why Join?

This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a critical capability at the heart of our organisation. You'll have the autonomy to shape the Data Governance vision, influence enterprise strategy and make a lasting impact on how data is managed and utilised across the business.

If you're passionate about data, governance, leadership and delivering meaningful business change, we'd love to hear from you.