Data Governance Lead

Job Title: Data Governance Lead
Location: Milton Keynes (Hybrid Working Available)
Salary/Rate: £500 - £525 - Inside IR35
Start Date: 01/09/2025 - 31/12/2025

We are currently seeking an experienced and driven Data Governance Lead to support a major data transformation programme within the financial services sector. This role will play a pivotal part in designing, embedding, and evolving data governance frameworks, ensuring best practices are implemented across the organisation. You will act as a bridge between business units, data owners, IT, and compliance teams, driving high standards in data quality, ownership, and accountability while ensuring regulatory alignment.

• Data Ownership & Stewardship:
  Establish and maintain robust data ownership models, including the assignment of data stewards and clear definitions of data domains. Champion accountability for data assets across the organisation.

• Data Quality & Metadata Management:
  Lead initiatives to define, implement, and monitor data quality metrics. Oversee metadata cataloguing and lineage documentation, ensuring transparency and traceability across all critical data assets.

• Project & Programme Management:
  Create and maintain comprehensive delivery roadmaps and governance workstreams. Track milestones, dependencies, and risks to ensure successful delivery of data governance initiatives in alignment with regulatory and business needs.

• Risk Identification & Mitigation:
  Proactively identify risks to data quality, regulatory compliance, and programme delivery. Define and implement mitigation strategies, and escalate appropriately when required.

• Cross-Functional Coordination:
  Act as the key liaison between data management teams, IT, compliance, and business units to ensure data governance requirements are embedded into business processes and systems.

• Stakeholder Reporting:
  Prepare and deliver high-quality, actionable reports and presentations for senior leadership, steering committees, and external regulators when required.

• Change Management & Adoption:
  Lead change initiatives to embed data governance practices throughout the organisation. Promote cultural change by influencing key stakeholders and facilitating the adoption of new tools and standards.

• Tooling & Technology Enablement:
  Drive the adoption and effective use of data governance tools such as Collibra, Informatica DQ, Alation, or similar. Where required, support the implementation and configuration of new platforms.

• Regulatory Compliance & Awareness:
  Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant data-related regulations such as FCA guidelines, GDPR, and European Central Bank (ECB) data governance requirements. Ensure governance activities meet or exceed regulatory expectations.

• Data Literacy & Advocacy:
  Promote a data-driven culture by educating non-technical stakeholders on the importance of data governance, data ownership, and quality standards. Create and lead data literacy campaigns and training sessions.

• Proven track record in establishing and leading data governance initiatives in large, complex organisations-preferably within financial services.

• Strong understanding of data governance frameworks, policies, and industry best practices.

• Experience in data quality management, metadata, and master data management.

• Hands-on experience with data governance platforms (e.g., Collibra, Alation, Informatica DQ).

• Deep understanding of regulatory obligations around data (FCA, GDPR, ECB).

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Solid experience in programme and project management, including planning, budgeting, and reporting.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply now with your updated CV in Microsoft Word/PDF format.

Disclaimer
Notwithstanding any guidelines given to level of experience sought, we will consider candidates from outside this range if they can demonstrate the necessary competencies.
Square One is acting as both an employment agency and an employment business, and is an equal opportunities recruitment business. Square One embraces diversity and will treat everyone equally. Please see our website for our full diversity statement.