Data Governance Lead

Woodward, Inc.; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 95,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Stock contribution

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Parental leave

EAP / mental health benefits

Life & disability coverage

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Woodward, Inc. is seeking a Data Governance Lead to support enterprise data governance across domains, reporting to the Director of Data Governance and collaborating with MDM, BI teams, and business stakeholders.

This role focuses on data quality, standards, and compliance, with responsibilities spanning policy implementation, data ownership, and council leadership to drive consistent definitions and metadata alignment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in data-related field and 5+ years in governance or master data environments.
• Experience in cross-functional enterprise data programs and ERP environments.
• Knowledge of data quality, metadata, and master data initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Implement and operationalize enterprise data governance policies, standards, and procedures.
• Partner with Data Owners, MDM, and business teams to ensure consistent data definitions and usage across domains.
• Monitor and improve data quality, identifying issues and driving resolution across systems and sites.
• Support governance of master data domains including Business Partner, Material, and Finance data.
• Oversee data issue management, escalation processes, and remediation tracking.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Support data governance forums, including preparation of metrics, KPIs, and status reporting.
• Promote data stewardship practices and drive adoption of governance standards across the organization.
• Own and maintain the Business Glossary, ensuring alignment of terms, definitions, and metadata across teams and systems.
• Lead data governance councils for data domains, driving collaboration, decision-making, and accountability for data-related initiatives.

Skills

Data governance principles

Data quality management

Stakeholder management

Analytical mindset

ERP environments

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Data Management or related field

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Oracle ERP

Job description

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Woodward supports our members’ wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Estimated annual base pay: $95,000(minimum) - $123,000(midpoint) - $152,000(maximum)

All Levels are eligible for the benefits below:

• All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity.
• 401(k) match (4.5%)
• Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
• Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members
• 12 paid holidays, including floating holidays.
• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire
• Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits.
• Member Life & D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life
• Member referral bonus
• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
• Voluntary benefits, including:
  • Home / Auto Insurance discounts
  • Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave

The Data Governance Lead is responsible for supporting the execution of the enterprise data governance framework, ensuring high standards of data quality, consistency, and compliance across all data domains. This role reports directly to the Director of Data Governance and works closely with Master Data Management, BI teams, and business stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Implement and operationalize enterprise data governance policies, standards, and procedures
• Partner with Data Owners, MDM, and business teams to ensure consistent data definitions and usage across domains
• Monitor and improve data quality, identifying issues and driving resolution across systems and sites
• Support governance of master data domains including Business Partner, Material, and Finance data
• Oversee data issue management, escalation processes, and remediation tracking
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, and regulatory standards
• Support data governance forums, including preparation of metrics, KPIs, and status reporting
• Promote data stewardship practices and drive adoption of governance standards across the organization
• Own and maintain the Business Glossary, ensuring alignment of terms, definitions, and metadata across teams and systems.
• Lead data governance councils for data domains, driving collaboration, decision-making, and accountability for data-related initiatives

Key Skills:

• Strong understanding of data governance principles, frameworks, and operating models
• Experience with data quality management and issue remediation processes
• Ability to collaborate across business, IT, and analytics teams
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail and problem-solving ability
• Familiarity with enterprise data domains (finance, supply chain, customer data)
• Experience working in ERP environments (preferred SAP S/4HANA exposure is a plus)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Management, Information Systems, Business, Finance, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in data governance, data management, or master data environments preferred
• Experience working in cross-functional enterprise data programs
• Prior involvement in data quality, metadata, or master data initiatives strongly preferred
• Experience in large ERP environments (e.g., SAP, Oracle) beneficial; SAP S/4HANA experience preferred but not required

Application window is anticipated to close 7 days from original posting date.

This information is provided in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and is the company’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation range and benefits offered for this position. The compensation offered to the successful applicant may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, location, and other job-related reasons.

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.