Data Governance Lead

Data Governance LEAD
On-site | Omaha, NE or Irving, TX

About the Role

This is a senior leadership opportunity for a data governance practitioner ready to own an enterprise-level function with real organizational visibility. You'll build and scale the governance framework from strategy through day-to-day execution — working hand-in-hand with both business and technology stakeholders to ensure data is trusted, well-cataloged, and accessible. If you've done governance in theory and want to prove it in practice, this is the seat.

What You'll Own

• Architect and operate the enterprise data governance framework, driving consistency across business units and technology teams.
• Champion data ownership and stewardship adoption at the domain level — establishing accountability where it often doesn't exist.
• Lead the data cataloging function, ensuring data assets are discoverable, certified, and actively used.
• Build out Data Quality Management from the ground up: define critical data elements, set quality rules, implement monitoring, and resolve issues at the root.
• Oversee data classification and retention compliance in close coordination with Security, Legal, Records Management, and Data Owners.
• Connect governance priorities to strategic business initiatives — including the organization's AI readiness roadmap.
• Facilitate governance forums and working groups that drive policy adoption and real decision-making.
• Advance a data marketplace model where trusted data reaches the right users without friction.
• Develop and deliver data literacy programs for Owners, Stewards, and end users at all levels.
• Lead, coach, and grow a team of data governance professionals with a focus on accountability and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Analytics/Science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in data governance, data management, or a closely related discipline — with hands-on involvement in cataloging and data quality programs.
• Proven ability to drive data ownership and stewardship adoption across both business and technology audiences.
• Strong working knowledge of governance principles: policies, cataloging frameworks, and data quality standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or Data Analytics/Science.
• Certification in data governance, data quality, or data management (CDMP, DAMA, or equivalent).
• Direct experience leading enterprise-level data governance programs.
• Hands-on experience with data catalog platforms such as Collibra, Atlan, or data.world; familiarity with data quality tooling a plus.
• Background in regulated or data-intensive industries (energy, financial services, healthcare); experience with classification, retention, and compliance frameworks preferred.