Data Governance Analyst / Steward

ASCENDING; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

ASCENDING is seeking a Data Governance Analyst (Contract) to support the Enterprise Data Management program. You will curate metadata, manage business glossaries, and ensure alignment between technical and business definitions to improve data quality and governance across the organization.

You will perform advanced data analysis, profiling, and cross-source validation, maintain governance artifacts, and assist in workshops and change efforts to strengthen metadata management and data literacy.

Qualifications

• Several years in Data Governance, Data Management, Data Analysis, or related domains.
• Advanced SQL proficiency with complex joins, aggregation, and profiling queries.
• Advanced Excel skills with analytics functions.
• Experience with metadata management and business glossaries.
• Strong documentation and cross-functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced data analysis, profiling, and cross-source validation to identify anomalies.
• Support data quality rules and controls; document issues and escalate.
• Maintain governance artifacts and meeting records.
• Assist in workshops and change management to strengthen metadata management and data literacy.

Skills

SQL proficiency

Excel analytics

Data Governance

Data Management

Data Analysis

Metadata management

Business glossary

Process documentation

Communication

Cross-functional engagement

Tools

Azure DevOps

Enterprise Data Catalog

Data Quality Scorecard tool

Data lineage tooling

Job description

Data Governance Analyst (Contract)
Remote - Must reside in Central Virginia and be able to come onsite on demand
Long-term contract

We are looking for a Data Governance Analyst to support our Enterprise Data Management Program, with a focus on Data Governance practices and comprehensive data analysis. This role will partner with key stakeholders to curate enterprise metadata, manage business glossary terms, and ensure alignment between technical and business definitions. The right candidate will thrive in a cross-functional environment, bringing strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication to drive data quality and governance initiatives across the organization.
In this role, you will perform advanced data analysis, profiling, and cross-source validation to identify anomalies, support data quality rules and controls, and drive issue documentation and escalation. You will maintain governance artifacts and meeting records, investigate data issues to produce clear, actionable insights, and assist in setting up workshops and change management efforts that strengthen metadata management, data quality, and data literacy across the organization.

To be successful in this role, you MUST possess:

• Several years in Data Governance, Data Management, Data Analysis, or related domains
• Advanced SQL proficiency; able to write complex joins, aggregation, and profiling queries
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, with expertise in handling analytical functions within the tool
• Demonstrated experience with metadata management and business glossaries
• Strong process documentation capabilities (procedures, processes, workflows)
• Excellent communication (written & verbal) and task management skills; comfortable with cross-functional business/IT engagement
  The ideal candidate would also have experience in:
• Working experience in a DevOps development environment, preferably Microsoft-based
• Hands-on experience with an Enterprise Data Catalog tool (e.g., Alation, Collibra, Microsoft Purview)
• Experience with a Data Quality Scorecard/Rules Engine tool
• Exposure to data lineage, reference data, and data stewardship models
• Understanding of data governance frameworks (policies, standards, controls) and regulatory drivers (e.g., privacy, risk, compliance)
• Experience facilitating data stewardship forums and familiarity with DevOps Boards (e.g., Azure DevOps) for backlog, tasks, and issue tracking
• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.