Senior Data Governance Manager

DWP Digital; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Volunteer time off

I Can Be Me in DWP

Discounts & savings

Bike/Season ticket loan

Sports and social activities

Professional development

Job summary

DWP Digital, part of the UK's largest government department, is seeking a Senior Data Governance Manager to shape how data is governed, protected and used across the organisation. In this role you'll collaborate with senior stakeholders to embed best practice and set strategic direction.

Location options include hubs in Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield and other cities. The role offers hybrid working, competitive pay and a strong focus on professional development and pensions.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a data governance role and implementing governance frameworks.
• Experience advising on governance approaches, setting direction and collaborating across teams.
• Proven ability to translate complex data concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills to assess information and report data risks.
• Interpersonal skills to work in a strategic context and align activities with goals.
• Experience using industry leading data management and governance practices.
• Experience managing multiple competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to influence change and embed best practice in data governance.
• Provide expert guidance on data governance frameworks, policies and standards.
• Ensure compliance with legislative requirements and champion continuous improvement.
• Help develop the wider data governance community across DWP.
• Deliver cross-government data programmes and roll out the Data Ownership Model.
• Support stakeholders to improve data maturity, governance adoption and data quality.

Skills

Data governance

Stakeholder engagement

Data quality

Policy compliance

Communication

Risk management

Strategic thinking

Job description

Pay of £57,946, plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work life balance.

DWP. Digital with Purpose.

DWP is the UK's largest government department. We help people into work, and make payments worth over £195bn a year to support and empower millions of people.

Data is at the heart of everything we do at DWP, informing policy, improving services and helping deliver better outcomes for millions of citizens.

As part of DWP Digital's Chief Data Office (CDO), you'll play a vital role in shaping how data is governed, protected and used across one of the UK's largest and most complex organisations.

The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We'd love you to join us.

What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?

• Extensive experience in a data governance role, including the design and practical implementation of data governance frameworks and practices; or a sub framework such as a Data Quality Framework, policies and practice.
• Experience advising on data governance approaches & standards, setting direction, building and maintaining networks and collaborating across teams with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Proven communication skills to translate, promote and embed data governance practice including distilling complex technical information to a non-technical audience.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills with the ability to assess complex information, identify key issues, make recommendations and support the reporting of data risks.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work within a strategic context and communicate how activities meet strategic goals and contribute to the development of strategy and policies.
• Proven experience of using industry leading data management and data governance practices.
• Experience of managing multiple competing priorities.

You and your role

We need Senior Data Governance Managers like you to join our Chief Data Office.

You'll collaborate with senior stakeholders to influence change, embed best practice and provide expert guidance on data governance frameworks, policies and standards.

You'll ensure compliance with legislative requirements, champion continuous improvement and help develop the wider data governance community across DWP.

You'll work on a range of initiatives, including the rollout of DWP's Data Ownership Model, the evolution of the Data Governance Framework, implementation of Data Quality Frameworks and delivery of cross-government data programmes.

You'll help your stakeholders to improve data maturity, governance adoption and data quality.

In return, you'll have the opportunity to broaden your expertise across data governance disciplines or develop specialist knowledge in areas such as Data Quality, Data Sharing Governance and Data Management, supported by professional development, formal training and industry-recognised qualifications.

Location: You'll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield, whichever is most convenient for you.

Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model - you'll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub.

Pay: We offer competitive pay of £57,946.

Pension: You'll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%.

Holidays: A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time.

You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi-time. You'll also get all the usual public holidays.

We have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Flexible working including flexible hours and flex-friendly policies
• Time off volunteering and charitable giving
• Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'
• Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
• Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it's even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
• Sports and social activities
• Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.

And we have an award-winning environment and culture:

• DWP have been recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence awards
• Diverse and Inclusive Leadership at Digital Leaders Awards 2024
• Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital category in the Computing Digital Technology Leaders awards 2025
• Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at 2025 Women In Tech Employer Awards