Data Governance Consultant

COOLSOFT; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

COOLSOFT is seeking a Data Governance Consultant in Richmond, VA to support the state's data program by strengthening data management and preparing datasets for quality measurement within the governance tool.

You will work with assigned data stewards, facilitate regular meetings, guide stewardship activities, and help develop data dictionaries, scoping docs, and business rules. Collaboration with divisions is essential.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of data management principles, data quality concepts, and stewardship processes.
• Experience serving as the primary client contact, managing relationships and delivering outcomes.
• Ability to communicate clearly and guide non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary client-facing representative for assigned divisions, owning the relationship, leading discussions, setting expectations, and ensuring delivery of all required stewardship activities.
• Build effective, trust-based relationships with internal customers by communicating clearly and guiding stewards through complex data-related tasks.
• Lead client interactions with accountability for deliverables, ensuring that stewards understand priorities, timelines, and governance expectations.
• Coordinate and support assigned data stewards by facilitating monthly check-ins, guiding the creation of required artifacts (scoping, data dictionaries, business rules), serving as the primary liaison between divisions and the Data Program, and assisting stewards in preparing datasets for data quality measurement within the agency's data governance tool.
• Provide training, coaching, and support on data management, data quality concepts, and data stewardship practices.
• Support agency-wide data quality and stewardship by providing subject-area guidance for defining and measuring data quality, collaborating with system owners and SMEs to resolve complex data issues, and ensuring stewardship activities follow established standards, frameworks, and governance processes.

Skills

Data governance

Data quality

Stakeholder management

Job description

Data Governance Consultant

Location: Richmond, VA

The Enterprise Data Steward will support VDOT's Data Program by working directly with assigned data stewards across the agency to strengthen data management practices, improve data quality, and prepare datasets for quality measurement within our data governance tool. The staff member will facilitate regular meetings with division-level stewards, guide them through required stewardship activities, and assist in developing scoping documentation, data dictionaries, and business rules. This position serves as the primary liaison between assigned business divisions and the agency's Data Program.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary client‑facing representative for assigned divisions, owning the relationship, leading discussions, setting expectations, and ensuring delivery of all required stewardship activities.
• Build effective, trust‑based relationships with internal customers by communicating clearly and guiding stewards through complex data‑related tasks.
• Lead client interactions with accountability for deliverables, ensuring that stewards understand priorities, timelines, and governance expectations.
• Coordinate and support assigned data stewards by facilitating monthly check‑ins, guiding the creation of required artifacts (scoping, data dictionaries, business rules), serving as the primary liaison between divisions and the Data Program, and assisting stewards in preparing datasets for data quality measurement within the agency's data governance tool.
• Provide training, coaching, and support on data management, data quality concepts, and data stewardship practices.
• Support agency‑wide data quality and stewardship by providing subject‑area guidance for defining and measuring data quality, collaborating with system owners and SMEs to resolve complex data issues, and ensuring stewardship activities follow established standards, frameworks, and governance processes.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of data management principles, data quality concepts, and stewardship processes.
• Demonstrated experience serving as the primary client contact, responsible for relationship management, stakeholder engagement, and delivery of customer‑driven outcomes.
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing, facilitate group discussions, and guide non‑technical stakeholders.

EOE Protected Veterans/Disability