Program Manager – Data and GIS Governance

Jobtailor; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

VDOT in Virginia is seeking a senior data governance leader to drive enterprise data programs, promote data quality, metadata, and lifecycle management across the organization.

You will collaborate with business units and IT, oversee geospatial governance and GIS tool usage (ArcGIS), and guide data modernization initiatives to support public-sector objectives.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of data governance principles and frameworks.
• Proven ability to manage full data lifecycle in large organizations.
• Expertise in metadata management and sustainable data documentation.

Responsibilities

• Participate in enterprise data governance framework to promote consistency and accountability.
• Oversee master data management efforts for mission-critical datasets.
• Develop governance mechanisms, standards, and sustainable processes across the enterprise.
• Facilitate cross-functional groups to align stakeholders on data priorities and policies.
• Champion data lifecycle best practices from creation to archival.
• Ensure data lifecycle practices meet regulatory and security requirements.
• Lead strategies to identify and improve data quality across datasets.
• Collaborate with business units and technical teams to address data quality challenges.
• Provide strategic direction for geospatial governance and GIS usage within enterprise processes.
• Support ArcGIS platform adoption and related geospatial tool usage across the organization.
• Communicate governance concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Data Governance

Data Lifecycle Management

Metadata Management

Data Quality Enhancement

Geospatial Data Management

Tools

ArcGIS

Safe Software FME

GIS Capabilities

Data Governance Tools

Data Management Platforms

Job description

• Participate in VDOT’s enterprise data governance framework to promote consistency, accountability, and effective data stewardship
• Oversee master data management efforts supporting mission-critical datasets
• Develop and implement governance mechanisms, standards, and sustainable processes across a complex enterprise environment
• Facilitate cross-functional working groups to align stakeholders on data priorities, policies, and governance objectives
• Champion data lifecycle best practices from data creation and storage through archival
• Ensure data lifecycle practices align with applicable regulatory, operational, and security requirements
• Manage and mature metadata standards, data dictionaries, classification systems, and data documentation practices
• Promote consistent and sustainable data management processes across business and technical teams
• Lead strategies to identify, remediate, and enhance data quality across enterprise datasets
• Collaborate with business units, technical teams, and subject matter experts to address data quality challenges
• Design scalable processes and governance mechanisms that support long-term data quality improvements
• Provide strategic direction for geospatial governance and the use of GIS capabilities within enterprise processes
• Support effective utilization of the ArcGIS platform and related geospatial tools
• Help integrate GIS capabilities into broader enterprise data management and business processes
• Support adoption of emerging data tools, technologies, and platforms to advance VDOT’s data-driven objectives
• Communicate complex data governance and management concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Develop training materials, guidance documentation, and governance communications
• Provide strategic guidance and actionable insights to stakeholders and leadership
• Support executive-level and cross-functional engagement related to enterprise data initiatives

Requirements

• At least 8 years of experience in data quality remediation and enhancement
• At least 8 years of experience in data lifecycle management
• At least 8 years of experience in data governance
• Extensive experience leading enterprise data programs within a large organization
• Deep understanding of data governance principles, frameworks, and industry best practices
• Proven ability to manage the full data lifecycle within complex organizational structures
• Expertise in metadata management, data quality enhancement, and sustainable data documentation processes
• Strong problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to design scalable processes and governance mechanisms
• Ability to translate abstract or technically complex concepts into approachable, actionable insights
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for executive-level and cross-functional engagement
• Must physically reside within the United States for the duration of the assignment due to Commonwealth of Virginia security policies prohibiting offshore IT contractors
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, now or in the future
• At least 5 years of experience with the ArcGIS platform (preferred)
• At least 5 years of experience with Safe Software FME (preferred)
• Experience supporting data governance and GIS initiatives within a large public-sector or private-sector organization (preferred)
• Experience supporting enterprise digital transformation and data modernization initiatives (preferred)

Core Competencies

Demonstrates extensive expertise in data governance, data lifecycle management, and data quality enhancement, with a strong focus on developing sustainable processes and governance mechanisms. Proficient in utilizing geospatial tools like ArcGIS to support enterprise data initiatives and drive data-driven decision-making.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Data Governance
• Data Lifecycle Management
• Metadata Management
• Data Quality Enhancement
• ArcGIS Platform

Hard Skills

• Data Quality Remediation
• Data Stewardship
• Data Documentation
• Data Classification
• Data Standards Development
• Data Governance Frameworks
• Geospatial Data Management
• Data Integration
• Data Analysis
• Data Strategy Development

Soft Skills

• Problem-Solving
• Communication Skills
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Training Development

Industry Keywords

• Enterprise Data Governance
• Public Sector Data Management
• Data Modernization
• Digital Transformation
• Data Lifecycle Best Practices

Tools & Technologies

• ArcGIS
• Safe Software FME
• GIS Capabilities
• Data Governance Tools
• Data Management Platforms