Data Governance Manager

Dogs Trust; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Dogs Trust Ireland is seeking a passionate data governance lead to establish and embed a robust governance framework, ensuring data is owned, accurate, secure and well-managed across its lifecycle.

You will collaborate with business, IT and Dogs Trust group colleagues to provide strategic oversight of privacy, data quality and responsible data use, while enabling trusted data for decision-making and AI initiatives.

Qualifications

• Significant practical experience in data governance within a complex organisation.
• Experience developing and embedding data governance frameworks, policies and operating models.
• In-depth knowledge of EU GDPR and Irish data protection requirements.
• Understanding of UK data protection requirements where applicable to Dogs Trust group activities.
• Ability to translate governance challenges into actionable improvement plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and embedding of Dogs Trust Ireland's data governance framework and data strategy.
• Develop and maintain policies, standards and governance for data ownership, stewardship, quality and protection.
• Provide governance oversight and assurance with business and technical owners.
• Support adoption of new data technologies, tools and reporting capabilities.
• Keep up to date with emerging governance and AI governance best practices.

Skills

Data governance

Privacy & GDPR

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

Data quality

Data lifecycle

Education

CDMP or equivalent

Job description

Are you passionate about data governance and making sure organisations can trust the information they use? Do you enjoy turning complex data, privacy and governance requirements into clear, practical ways of working?

At Dogs Trust Ireland, you'll play a key role in establishing and embedding an effective data governance framework that ensures our data is appropriately owned, understood, accurate, secure, consistent and managed throughout its lifecycle. You'll help create the standards, policies and accountability needed to enable trusted data to support operational, strategic and evidence-based decision-making.

Working across business teams, IT and colleagues across the wider Dogs Trust group, you'll provide strategic oversight of data governance, privacy, data quality and responsible data use. You'll help strengthen how data is managed across the charity, while supporting the effective use of data, reporting, AI and emerging technologies.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Dogs Trust Ireland's data governance framework and supporting the evolution of the organisation's data strategy
• Developing and maintaining policies, standards and governance arrangements covering data ownership, stewardship, quality, information management, protection, retention, metadata, reporting and responsible use of data and AI
• Providing governance oversight and assurance, working with business and technical owners to ensure policies and standards are implemented effectively
• Supporting the successful implementation and adoption of new data technologies, tools and methodologies to improve insights and reporting capabilities
• Keeping the organisation up to date with emerging trends, tools and best practice in data governance, including AI governance considerations
• Resolving data definition conflicts and balancing data gathering, data subject rights and customer experience
• Creating and implementing data structures, data framework models and SharePoint arrangements in line with best practice
• Providing strategic oversight of data privacy and protection, including risks associated with sensitive donor, customer, volunteer and staff data
• Working with IT, information security and business stakeholders to ensure data governance and information-handling requirements support security and privacy objectives
• Leading data quality frameworks, monitoring data quality metrics and driving continuous improvement to ensure data is accurate, reliable, complete and fit for purpose
• Developing KPIs, dashboards and reporting tools to provide senior management and key stakeholders with clear, accessible and actionable insights on performance, outcomes and impact

Establishing governance standards for the creation, collection, classification, storage, sharing, retention, archiving and disposal of organisational data, while supporting data inventories, business glossaries and data catalogues

We're looking for someone who has:

• Significant practical experience in data governance, data management or information governance within a complex organisation
• Demonstrable experience developing and embedding data governance frameworks, policies, standards and operating models
• In-depth knowledge and practical understanding of EU GDPR, the Irish Data Protection Act 2018 and relevant Irish data protection and privacy requirements
• An understanding of UK data protection requirements where applicable to wider Dogs Trust group activities
• Proven ability to advise management teams on complex data governance and management challenges and turn these into proportionate, actionable improvement plans
• Strong digital and data literacy, with an understanding of modern data platforms, reporting environments and information management technologies
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to explain complex governance and regulatory requirements clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience applying privacy and data protection principles within projects, technology change and organisational processes
• A proactive, collaborative approach to building relationships and solving problems across business and technical teams
• A commitment to the aims, objectives and values of Dogs Trust Ireland
• A full Irish driving licence with access to your own transport, with travel required to Head Office in Dublin and other locations around Ireland

A relevant professional qualification or certification in data governance, data management, information governance or data protection, such as DAMA Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP), or equivalent

It would be great if you also have:

• Experience implementing Data Owner and Data Steward operating models
  Experience of data cataloguing, metadata management, data quality or governance tooling
• Experience working across organisational or international boundaries, particularly where UK and EU/Irish data requirements intersect
• An understanding of emerging governance considerations relating to AI and advanced analytics
• Experience working within the charity, not-for-profit or similarly mission-driven sector

Why Join Us?

• The opportunity to shape how data is governed and managed across Dogs Trust Ireland
• A role with strategic influence, supporting trusted data and evidence-based decision-making across the organisation
• The opportunity to work collaboratively with business teams, IT and colleagues across the wider Dogs Trust group
• The chance to strengthen data quality, privacy, security and responsible data use across a charity dedicated to improving the lives of dogs and the people who love them
• The opportunity to help Dogs Trust Ireland respond to emerging developments in data, technology and AI.

Ready to use your data governance expertise to help create a better world for dogs and the people who love them?

Closing Date for Applications is Sunday 1st November 2026

Dogs Trust Ireland CLG is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Dogs are incredibly diverse, much like the humans that love them!

At Dogs Trust, we value diversity, and we're committed to fostering an inclusive culture.

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, and cultures and believe that a diverse workforce helps us to achieve our mission.

Our colleague networks give our people a voice, acting as vehicles for real and meaningful change within Dogs Trust.

We truly want to see every candidate shine throughout the entire job application process, interview stages, and during their time with us.

If there's anything on your mind or any adjustments you may need, don't hesitate to reach out to us.

We're here to support you every step of the way.