Sr. Manager, Foundational Data Management

Apex Systems; La Vista (NE); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Everforth Apex Systems seeks a Sr. Manager of Foundational Data Management in Omaha, NE or Kansas City Metro (Hybrid). Lead strategy and governance for core data services, partnering with data and platform teams to enable trusted data across domains.

The role requires 8–12 years in data management, with experience in governance, metadata, and MDM, plus strong executive communication. A Bachelor's or Master's in a related field is preferred.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of progressive experience in data management roles within large organizations.
• Proven success implementing data governance, data quality, metadata, or MDM programs.
• Experience with data architecture teams and ERP systems such as SAP is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a forward-looking strategy for foundational data management services aligned with enterprise goals and industry best practices.
• Oversee delivery of core data services: governance, metadata management, lineage, data quality, and governance principles.
• Drive adoption of data governance and quality practices across technical and non-technical teams.
• Lead pilots and proofs of concept to refine tooling and workflows; translate complex concepts into clear business narratives.
• Mentor and lead a growing team of data management professionals.

Skills

Executive presence

Strategic leadership

Data governance

Stakeholder management

Data strategy

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in data-related field

Tools

Collibra

Alation

Informatica Enterprise Data Catalog

Atlan

Microsoft Purview

Job description

Sr. Manager, Foundational Data Management

Job#: 3054926

Location: Omaha, NE or Kansas City Metro (Hybrid)

Employment Type: Direct Hire

About The Opportunity: Apex Systems is partnering with one of North America's largest and most respected infrastructure and industrial organizations to hire a Sr. Manager of Foundational Data Management. Our client is building a growing enterprise data organization that is collaborative, bold, and focused on using trusted data to drive smarter decisions and lasting value.

Position Overview: Our client is seeking a forward-thinking Sr. Manager to serve as a future enterprise leader within its emerging Data Management Services function. This role will be pivotal in advancing the maturity of the organization's data ecosystem and building scalable services that enable consistent, trusted, and well-governed data across all domains.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership

• Develop and maintain a forward-looking strategy for foundational data management services aligned with enterprise goals and industry best practices.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to data leaders, architects, and business stakeholders on enterprise data management capabilities.
• Define, measure, and communicate progress through clear roadmaps and KPIs.

Core Data Management Services

• Oversee the delivery and evolution of key foundational data services, including:
  • Data governance frameworks
  • Metadata management and cataloging
  • Data lineage and impact analysis
  • Data quality monitoring and remediation
  • Foundational data management principles
• Partner with data and platform teams to design scalable services adopted across multiple data domains.

Execution and Change Management

• Drive adoption of data governance and quality practices across technical and non-technical teams.
• Lead pilots and proofs of concept to refine metadata management tooling and workflows.
• Translate complex concepts into clear narratives that build adoption and business support.
• Build a culture of data stewardship and data literacy across the organization.

Collaboration and Influence

• Work closely with the foundational data management team, domain managers, business leaders, and engineering teams to identify gaps and opportunities.
• Collaborate with data architects and product teams to align foundational services with technical implementation.
• Navigate complex enterprise structures with confidence, building coalitions and momentum across diverse teams.

People Leadership

• Mentor and lead a small but growing team of data management professionals.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on execution, continuous improvement, and business impact.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8–12 years of progressive experience in data management roles within large organizations (ideally $5B+ in revenue).
• Proven success implementing data governance, data quality, metadata, or MDM programs.
• Experience working in or closely with data architecture teams and enterprise IT.
• Strong understanding of modern data stack components, including data lakes, catalogs, lineage tools, ETL pipelines, and reporting and analytics technologies.
• Experience with tools such as Collibra, Alation, Informatica Enterprise Data Catalog, Atlan, or Microsoft Purview.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with executive presence.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with hands‑on execution.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in data science, information systems, computer science, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in construction, engineering, energy, or manufacturing is a plus.
• Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP is a plus.

Why This Opportunity?

• Join a growing enterprise data organization within an industry-leading company.
• Lead foundational efforts with lasting impact across the business.
• Be part of a culture that values excellence, initiative, and long‑term thinking.
• Access mentorship, professional development, and a clear path toward greater leadership responsibility.

Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.