Senior Manager, Data Governance

GovTech Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Leave benefits

Wellness programs

Job summary

GovTech Singapore is hiring a Data Governance lead to shape policy, risk and data quality across the agency. You will translate whole-of-government data requirements into practical guidance and oversee policy implementation with cross‑functional teams.

You will engage stakeholders, develop awareness and training, and mentor staff while aligning data governance with national digital initiatives. The role offers growth and impact in public sector tech for public good.

Qualifications

• Develop governance policies and operational risk management processes.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication to mid-to-senior stakeholders.
• Understanding of data lifecycle, metadata, and data protection.
• Qualifications in IT, Information Systems, Engineering, or related fields.
• Comfort using enterprise AI productivity tools.

Responsibilities

• Translate data requirements into GovTech policies, SOPs and guidance.
• Develop data value and risk guidance and assess risks.
• Provide policy advisory on governance matters.
• Establish governance decision rights and escalation.
• Ensure central visibility of priority data and data quality.
• Drive implementation of Whole-of-Government data governance.
• Engage stakeholders, shape awareness and trainings.
• Lead or contribute to cross-team initiatives.

Skills

Governance frameworks

Policy development

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Data management

Education

IT, Public Policy, Law, or related

Job description

GovTech is the lead agency driving Singapore’s Smart Nation initiatives and public sector digital transformation. As the Centre of Excellence for Infocomm Technology and Smart Systems (ICT & SS), GovTech develops the Singapore Government’s capabilities in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, Application Development, Smart City Technology, Digital Infrastructure, and Cybersecurity.

At GovTech, we offer you a purposeful career to make lives better where we empower our people to master their craft through robust learning and development opportunities all year round.

Play a part in Singapore’s vision to build a Smart Nation and embark on your meaningful journey to build tech for public good. Join us to advance our mission and shape your future with us today!

Learn more about GovTech at tech.gov.sg.

[What you will be working on]

Data Governance Policy & Advisory

• Translate Whole-of-Government data requirements into GovTech's policies, SOPs and practical guidance, preserving policy intent while ensuring they remain workable across different operational contexts.
• Develop data value and risk assessment guidance and review significant data governance risks, including proposed safeguards and mitigation measures.
• Provide policy advisory to GovTech teams on complex data governance matters, including applicable requirements, risks and safeguards.

Data Governance Implementation & Oversight

• Establish and implement CDO decision rights and escalation arrangements for significant data governance matters.
• Establish central visibility of priority GovTech data through metadata, clarify data governance roles and responsibilities, and set data quality expectations, particularly for data shared with other agencies.
• Drive implementation of MDDI’s Whole-of-Government data governance requirements and initiatives, working with relevant teams to leverage enterprise data platforms and tools where appropriate.
• Establish risk-based governance monitoring, including performance and risk indicators, management reporting and follow-up on significant audit findings.

Stakeholder Engagement & Capability Development

• Engage stakeholders across GovTech to understand operational challenges, facilitate cross-functional alignment and support escalation of significant governance matters to the CDO.
• Identify data governance capability gaps and shape targeted awareness, training and engagement initiatives.
• Review and provide substantive inputs on WOG data policies and initiatives, and support the CDO's participation in inter-agency forums, workshops and consultations.
• Lead or contribute to cross-team initiatives and broader CIO Office priorities, as required.

People Management

• Guide team members on work priorities and deliverables, providing regular feedback, coaching and support for their development.
• Support recruitment and other people management responsibilities as required.

[What we are looking for]

• Demonstrated experience in developing governance frameworks, policies or operational risks management processes.
• Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, interpret policy intent and apply it pragmatically to technical environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to engage and influence mid-to-senior stakeholders within and across government agencies.
• Good understanding of data management concepts, including data lifecycle, metadata, data quality, data sharing and personal data protection.
• Relevant qualifications in Information Technology, Information Systems, Engineering, Data or Information Management, Public Policy, Law, Business Analytics or related disciplines.
• Comfortable using enterprise AI productivity and workflow automation tools in day-to-day work.

Good to have

• Working knowledge of Singapore public sector data policies, particularly the IM on Data.
• Hands-on experience working with data or delivering data-related systems in engineering, product or analytical roles, with first-hand understanding of the operational realities teams face when applying data governance requirements.
• Familiarity with enterprise data architectures, cloud data platforms, and data management tooling (e.g., data catalogues, lineage tools).

Expected Behaviours

• Ownership & independence: Take end-to-end ownership of complex workstreams, anticipate governance bottlenecks, and deliver pragmatic solutions with minimal guidance.
• Analytical judgement: Research and analyse complex issues with rigour, consider broader implications and develop well‑reasoned, evidence‑based recommendations.
• Strategic alignment: Translate organisational and CDO priorities into actionable plans, anticipate risks and drive governance improvements to deliver meaningful outcome.
• Collaboration & influence: Build constructive working relationships across policy, product, engineering and security functions, and work collaboratively to resolve challenges.
• Continuous improvement & mentoring: Demonstrate curiosity and a positive learning mindset, proactively identify opportunities for improvement, propose constructive solutions, and share knowledge and mentor colleagues.

What we offer you:

GovTech is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that values diverse voices and perspectives, as we believe that diversity is the foundation to innovation.

Our employee benefits are based on a total rewards approach, offering a holistic and market-competitive suite of perks. These include leave benefits to meet your work-life needs and employee wellness programs.

We champion flexible work arrangements (subject to your job role) and trust that you will manage your own time to deliver your best, wherever you are, and whatever works best for you.

Learn more about life inside GovTech at go.gov.sg/GovTechCareers.

Stay connected with us on social media at go.gov.sg/ConnectWithGovTech