Project Manager- GIS & Data Governance

Accylerate; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Accylerate in Richmond, VA seeks a Project Manager - GIS & Data Governance to lead enterprise data programs with a focus on governance, metadata, and data quality. You will drive GIS governance, collaborate with stakeholders, and translate complex data concepts into actionable governance guidance.

You will partner across business and IT to ensure data stewardship, lifecycle management, and documentation practices align with regulatory and security requirements, enabling a data-driven

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading enterprise data programs in large organizations.
• Deep understanding of data governance principles, frameworks, and best practices.
• Proven capability in managing the full data lifecycle within complex organizational structures.
• Expertise in metadata management, data quality enhancement, and building sustainable data documentation processes.
• Strong problem solving skills with a track record of designing 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 crossfunctional engagement.

Responsibilities

• Participate in client enterprise data governance framework, ensuring consistency, accountability, and effective data stewardship.
• Oversee master data management efforts supporting mission-critical datasets.
• Champion data lifecycle best practices from creation and storage to archival ensuring alignment with regulatory, operational, and security requirements.
• Manage and mature metadata standards, data dictionaries, classification systems, and documentation practices.
• Drive remediation strategies for data quality issues by collaborating closely with business units, technical teams, and subject matter experts.
• Provide strategic direction for geospatial governance, ArcGIS platform utilization, and integration of GIS capabilities into enterprise processes.
• Support adoption of emerging data tools, technologies, and platforms, ensuring the organization remains modern, efficient, and datadriven.
• Communicate complex data topics clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences; develop training, guidance materials, and governance communications.
• Facilitate cross-functional working groups, ensuring alignment on data priorities and policies.

Skills

Data governance

Metadata management

Data quality

ArcGIS

GIS governance

Stakeholder management

Data lifecycle

Master data management

Communication

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

Ideal Candidate Profile: Seeking an experienced Project Manager- GIS & Data Governance with strong experience leading enterprise data programs within large, complex organizations. The ideal candidate will have expertise in data governance, data lifecycle management, metadata, data quality, and master data management, along with experience supporting GIS governance and the ArcGIS platform. Strong cross‑functional communication and stakeholder management skills are required, with the ability to translate complex data concepts into actionable processes and guidance. Candidates should have a proven track record of addressing data quality challenges and establishing sustainable governance and documentation practices.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Participate in client enterprise data governance framework, ensuring consistency, accountability, and effective data stewardship.


• Oversee master data management efforts supporting missioncritical datasets.


• Champion data lifecycle best practices from creation and storage to archival ensuring alignment with regulatory, operational, and security requirements.


• Manage and mature metadata standards, data dictionaries, classification systems, and documentation practices.


• Drive remediation strategies for data quality issues by collaborating closely with business units, technical teams, and subject matter experts.


• Provide strategic direction for geospatial governance, ArcGIS platform utilization, and integration of GIS capabilities into enterprise processes.


• Support adoption of emerging data tools, technologies, and platforms, ensuring VDOT remains modern, efficient, and datadriven.


• Communicate complex data topics clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences; develop training, guidance materials, and governance communications.


• Facilitate crossfunctional working groups, ensuring alignment on data priorities and policies.

Required Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience leading enterprise data programs within a large organization.


• Deep understanding of data governance principles, frameworks, and industry best practices.


• Proven capability in managing the full data lifecycle within complex organizational structures.


• Expertise in metadata management, data quality enhancement, and building sustainable data documentation processes.


• Strong problem solving skills with a track record of designing scalable processes and governance mechanisms.


• Ability to translate abstract or technically complex concepts into approachable, actionable insights.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for executivelevel and crossfunctional engagement.