Head of Data Governance

Head of Data Governance

📍 Hybrid Working - London or Manchester

🕒 Full-time | Permanent

We are looking for an experienced and strategic data leader to join a central Data & Analytics function as Head of Data Design & Governance.

Reporting to the Director of Data & Analytics, this role will lead enterprise-wide data design, governance and quality activities — helping deliver trusted, accurate data and a true “single version of the truth” across the organisation.

This is a high-impact leadership role with responsibility for shaping data governance, overseeing data modelling and master data management, improving organisational data maturity, and ensuring data is fit for decision-making, regulatory reporting, operational performance, and future automation initiatives.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll lead the Data Design and Data Governance teams, driving the strategy, standards and frameworks that underpin trusted data across the organisation. Working closely with Data Owners, technology teams and senior stakeholders, you’ll ensure robust governance, high-quality data assets and effective decision-making.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing high-performing Data Design and Data Governance teams
• Owning and evolving the enterprise data governance and quality framework
• Driving improvements in data quality, assurance and organisational data maturity
• Overseeing conceptual, logical and dimensional data models across the organisation
• Leading master and reference data management practices
• Chairing the Data Governance Forum and enabling effective governance decision-making
• Ensuring timely and accurate regulatory returns
• Partnering with technology, architecture and analytics teams to deliver trusted and scalable data products
• Acting as a senior ambassador for data-driven decision making internally and externally

What we’re looking for

We’re seeking a collaborative and influential leader with significant experience operating at a senior level within complex organisations.

You’ll bring:

• Proven leadership experience across data governance, data design and data quality functions
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at executive and board level
• Deep expertise in enterprise data modelling, including ER modelling, Kimball and Inmon methodologies
• Experience implementing and embedding data governance frameworks at scale
• Knowledge of master data management, data integration and data migration
• Strong understanding of data strategy, policy and organisational data maturity
• Experience overseeing governance forums and driving measurable data quality improvements
• Strong programme and project delivery capability, including Agile delivery approaches
• A formal qualification in data modelling or equivalent senior-level practical experience

Experience within regulated environments and knowledge of sector data standards or regulatory returns would be advantageous.

Apply now to play a key role in building trusted, high-quality data foundations that support smarter decision-making and long-term organisational success.