Head od Data Governance

Head of Data Governance

Role Overview

We are looking for a senior leader to establish and advance the organization's approach to data governance, ensuring that information is managed consistently, responsibly and in line with business priorities. The role will oversee the development of governance capabilities across multiple business areas, strengthening data reliability, transparency and accountability.

The successful candidate will define the long-term direction for data governance, build an effective organizational framework and work closely with executive leadership to make data a trusted foundation for business operations, reporting, analytics and emerging AI capabilities. This position requires a combination of strategic vision, leadership experience and the ability to translate complex requirements into sustainable organizational practices.

Key Responsibilities

Governance Strategy and Executive Leadership

• Define the overall direction and long-term development plan for enterprise data governance.
• Establish an organization-wide governance model with clearly defined responsibilities, decision-making structures and escalation paths.
• Advise senior management on data-related priorities, risks, governance maturity and opportunities to improve the use of information.
• Drive organizational alignment around data as a strategic business asset.
• Oversee the implementation of governance initiatives and ensure that priorities remain aligned with business objectives.

Operating Model and Governance Frameworks

• Develop and maintain enterprise standards covering data ownership, stewardship, data quality, metadata and master data management.
• Establish policies and controls that promote consistency across business units while allowing flexibility where appropriate.
• Define accountability structures for managing critical data domains and resolving data-related issues.
• Ensure governance principles are incorporated into business processes, technology investments and transformation initiatives.
• Periodically review governance practices and adapt them to changing business and regulatory needs.

Data Quality and Information Management

• Oversee the development of an enterprise approach to data quality, including measurement standards, issue prioritization and remediation oversight.
• Establish principles for maintaining consistent master data and reliable information across systems and business functions.
• Promote common definitions, trusted data sources and consistent interpretation of business metrics.
• Monitor governance performance and ensure that significant data-related risks are addressed effectively.

Reporting, Analytics and AI Oversight

• Establish governance expectations for corporate reporting, management information and performance indicators.
• Ensure that data used for strategic decision-making is reliable, traceable and appropriately controlled.
• Define principles for responsible data use in advanced analytics and AI initiatives, including transparency, accountability and ongoing oversight.
• Collaborate with technology and business leaders to embed appropriate governance practices throughout the data lifecycle.

Leadership and Stakeholder Management

• Lead and develop the data governance function, building the capabilities, expertise and organizational structures required for long-term success.
• Work with senior business leaders, IT, data teams, architecture, information security, privacy, legal and compliance stakeholders.
• Facilitate decisions on data ownership, competing priorities and cross-functional governance challenges.
• Establish relevant performance indicators and maturity assessments to measure the effectiveness of governance initiatives.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement across the organization.

Requirements

• 12+ years of professional experience in data governance, enterprise data management, data quality, master data management or related disciplines, including significant leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success in defining and implementing enterprise-wide strategies, policies and governance operating models.
• Experience leading governance initiatives across complex, multi-business or international organizations.
• Strong understanding of data ownership, stewardship, data quality, metadata management, business glossaries, MDM and reporting governance.
• Knowledge of data governance requirements for analytics, business intelligence and AI-enabled solutions.
• Experience working in regulated environments; exposure to the pharmaceutical, life sciences or similarly complex industries would be an advantage.
• Familiarity with contemporary data platforms, cloud environments, data cataloguing solutions and governance tools.
• Ability to connect business strategy, technology capabilities and regulatory expectations in a practical governance framework.
• Proven leadership skills, including team development, executive stakeholder engagement and cross-functional influence.
• Strong decision-making, facilitation, negotiation and conflict-resolution capabilities.
• Ability to lead organizational change and promote adoption of new policies, standards and ways of working.
• Excellent communication skills and fluent English, with experience working across international teams.