Data Governance Manager

Department: Data

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Reporting To: Head of Data

Join Defaqto as our Data Governance Manager and play a pivotal role in building the frameworks, partnerships and standards that underpin trusted data, commercial insight and AI inno

Role Overview: At Defaqto, data sits at the heart of everything we do.

As Data Governance Manager, you'll work closely with the Head of Data to establish and embed robust governance practices across the organisation, ensuring our data is trusted, well-managed and fit for the future.

You'll also lead relationships with external data suppliers, helping shape our data acquisition strategy, drive value from third-party partnerships, and support the responsible adoption of AI within a regulated financial services environment.

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of Defaqto's data governance framework, policies and standards.
• Drive data quality, stewardship, metadata management and data ownership practices across the business.
• Maintain data cataloguing, glossary and lineage processes to ensure data is trusted, accessible and well understood.

• Own Defaqto's approach to acquiring, assessing and managing third-party data sources.
• Lead supplier relationships, contract negotiations, renewals and performance reviews.
• Identify new data opportunities and support build, buy or partner decisions to strengthen our data capabilities.

• Ensure data governance practices align with regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Oversee third-party data assurance, supplier due diligence and ongoing risk management.
• Maintain the data risk framework and support governance, audit and risk reporting activities.

• Help shape Defaqto's approach to AI governance and AI-related data risks.
• Provide guidance on the responsible use of data and AI across the organisation.
• Monitor emerging regulations, technologies and industry best practice to keep our data strategy future-ready.

• Partner with stakeholders across Product, Research, Sales, Technology, Legal and Compliance to embed effective data governance practices.
• Build engagement, accountability and data ownership across the business through influence rather than direct management.
• Act as a trusted advisor on data governance, data acquisition and data-related risk.

• Experience designing, implementing or embedding a data governance framework within a complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of data governance disciplines including data quality, stewardship, metadata, lineage and master data management.
• Good understanding of the UK regulatory landscape for data, including GDPR and data risk management.
• Experience managing third-party suppliers, contracts, commercial relationships and vendor risk.
• Experience evaluating and sourcing data, including build, buy or partner decision-making.
• Knowledge of data governance considerations relating to AI and emerging technologies.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Comfortable leading change, driving adoption and embedding best practice across a business.
• Able to balance governance, risk and commercial priorities in a practical w

• Professional accreditation such as CDMP, DCAM or DAMA-DMBOK.
• Experience with in financial services, fintech, insurance or another regulated industry.
• Knowledge of data licensing, web-scraping, copyright and the use of publicly available data.
• Experience contributing to AI governance, model risk management or responsible AI initiatives.
• Fami…