Head of Data Governance

Head of Data Governance

£90k + car/allowance - Permanent - 35 hrs - Hybrid (c.2 days/week near Worcester)

At a Glance:

• Mission: Stand up and lead enterprise data governance from near ground-zero.
• Team: You'll lead 2 Data Quality Improvement Managers and 1 Data Quality Analyst.
• Impact: Build the policies, standards, stewardship model and data quality controls that underpin analytics, AI readiness and regulatory confidence.
• Fit: Credible changemaker who's done this 3-4 times in complex organisations and can win hearts and minds, not just write policy.

Introduction:

If you believe good data should drive better decisions and lasting cultural change, this role offers the chance to build it properly from the ground up. You'll join a large, complex organisation headquartered near Worcester, one that's investing in data as a genuine enabler of transformation. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who's rolled out governance frameworks, data quality controls and stewardship models before-and knows how to make them stick through people, not process.

What you'll do:

• Own the data governance strategy, operating model and roadmap.
• Establish and embed policies, standards, definitions, lineage and stewardship across functions.
• Operationalise data quality (rules, controls, dashboards, SLAs) and embed KPI reporting.
• Identify and escalate data risks using an agreed risk matrix; drive remediation with owners.
• Lead comms and education to create a strong culture of accountability and data literacy.
• Manage and develop a small DQ team; expand capability as the programme scales.

What you've done:

• Led data governance and DQ across multiple organisations (ideally regulated, asset-heavy or service-based).
• Implemented stewardship models end-to-end (roles, RACI, workflows, adoption).
• Delivered measurable DQ improvements (profiling, rules, exceptions, remediation, KPIs).
• Tooled with one or more: Collibra, Informatica DQ, Experian Aperture, Ataccama, Talend, Microsoft Purview (or comparable).
• Worked with both supportive and resistant stakeholders-tailoring your message to the audience.
• Built and led capable data teams through delivery and change.

Nice to have:

• DAMA certification (or equivalent knowledge base).
• Experience embedding governance during digital, ERP, or BI transformation.

Package & working pattern:

• Base: c.£90k + car/allowance (flexible for standout profiles).
• Benefits: 25-30 days leave + bank holidays, matched pension, life assurance, wellbeing support, flexible benefits.
• Hybrid: Around two days a week West Midlands, plus flexibility for workshops and team collaboration.