Lead Data Governance Manager

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP); Sheffield; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is seeking a Lead Data Governance Manager to join the Chief Data Office Leadership Team during a pivotal transformation to a data-driven organisation.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team delivering governance products and services, driving adoption of data governance practices, and partnering with senior leaders across DWP to build trust in data and maximise its value for citizens.

Qualifications

• Lead strategic direction for data governance across a major government department.
• Sponsor and oversee delivery of governance products and services.
• Engage with senior leaders to understand governance needs and enable data use.
• Provide expert advice on data ethics, data quality and data sharing.
• Monitor compliance and report progress against governance objectives.
• Support organisational change to strengthen data culture and innovation.
• Build relationships with stakeholders across government to drive collaboration.
• Develop and nurture a high-performing, inclusive team and produce briefings for senior forums.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Data Governance function as part of the Chief Data Office leadership team.
• Sponsor and oversee the delivery of key data governance products and services, ensuring they are user-centred, scalable, continually improved and responsive to changing departmental priorities.
• Lead engagement with senior leaders, business areas and delivery teams to understand governance needs and ensure governance solutions enable, rather than inhibit, the effective use of data.
• Provide expert advice to senior stakeholders on data governance, such as data ethics, data quality, data maturity or data sharing.
• Establish mechanisms to monitor compliance, evaluate effectiveness and report on progress against governance objectives and strategic outcomes.
• Lead and support organisational change activities that strengthen DWP's data culture, encourage innovation and continuous improvement and reinforce the treatment of data as a strategic asset.
• Build productive relationships with key stakeholders across DWP, government and the wider data community, influencing strategic decision-making and driving collaboration.
• Develop and nurture a high-performing, inclusive team, creating an environment where people can learn, develop and thrive.
• Produce high-quality briefings, reports and recommendations for the Digital and Data Board, Executive Team and other senior governance forums.

Job description

Please note this role requires you to pass Security Check clearance. For further information, please see 'Selection process details'. We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Data Governance Manager to join the Chief Data Office (CDO) Leadership Team at a critical stage in DWP's transformation into a data-driven organisation. Data is one of DWP's most important strategic assets. It underpins decision-making, service delivery, innovation and our ability to improve outcomes for citizens. The Chief Data Office leads the department's Data Strategy and Data Governance Framework, providing the policies, standards, advice and guardrails that enable data to be used ethically, legally and effectively across DWP. You will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for delivering and evolving key governance products and services and driving greater adoption of data governance practices across DWP. We are looking for a collaborative leader who enjoys working as part of a wider leadership team, can adapt to changing priorities in a fast-moving environment and is passionate about finding new and better ways to solve problems. The Chief Data Office is evolving its approach to data governance, focussing on user needs, iterative improvement and delivering practical products and services that provide measurable value across DWP. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape how data governance operates within one of the largest government departments, influence senior leaders across DWP and help create the conditions for trust in data that enable the department to maximise the value of its data assets for the benefit of citizens. The Lead Data Governance Manager is a senior leadership role within the Chief Data Office. As a member of the CDO Leadership Team, you will provide strategic direction for data governance across DWP and lead the development and delivery of the products, services, policies and frameworks that support the department's Data Strategy. You will play a key role in ensuring data is governed effectively, ethically, legally and in a way that builds public trust. Working collaboratively across DWP, Digital and Data and wider government, you will develop strong partnerships that enable effective data decision-making. As the Chief Data Office continues its transition towards a product-led operating model, you will help shape how data governance products and services are designed, delivered and continuously improved. You will be comfortable responding to changing business needs and priorities, encouraging experimentation and innovation and fostering a culture of collaboration, learning and continuous improvement across your teams. Specific data governance responsibilities will change over time. Typical responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic leadership for the Data Governance function as part of the Chief Data Office leadership team.
• Sponsor and oversee the delivery of key data governance products and services, ensuring they are user-centred, scalable, continually improved and responsive to changing departmental priorities.
• Lead engagement with senior leaders, business areas and delivery teams to understand governance needs and ensure governance solutions enable, rather than inhibit, the effective use of data.
• Provide expert advice to senior stakeholders on data governance, such as data ethics, data quality, data maturity or data sharing.
• Establish mechanisms to monitor compliance, evaluate effectiveness and report on progress against governance objectives and strategic outcomes.
• Lead and support organisational change activities that strengthen DWP's data culture, encourage innovation and continuous improvement and reinforce the treatment of data as a strategic asset.
• Build productive relationships with key stakeholders across DWP, government and the wider data community, influencing strategic decision-making and driving collaboration.
• Develop and nurture a high-performing, inclusive team, creating an environment where people can learn, develop and thrive.
• Produce high-quality briefings, reports and recommendations for the Digital and Data Board, Executive Team and other senior governance forums.