Data Governance Manager

Job Summary

The Data Governance Officer will define and lead the organisation's global data governance strategy, establishing a framework of policies, standards and practices that enable trusted, accessible and strategic use of all enterprise data. The role supports major initiatives such as AI capabilities, data warehouses and advanced data visualisation platforms and is remote first with occasional travel.

• Define, develop and implement a Global Data Governance Framework, setting requirements around Data Definition, Classification, Ownership and Quality; establishing policies, standards and best practice; ensuring alignment with aerospace, defence and regulatory requirements; and relevance for all business functions.
• Embed the framework by collaborating with global business functions, developing training programmes, acting as a subject‑matter expert on data governance for strategic projects, identifying and coordinating data owners and stewards, leading Communities of Practice, working with IT teams to align data systems, and supporting audits and assessments.
• Support the design and implementation of AI, cloud‑based data lakes, data warehouses and data visualisation platforms.
• Manage and resolve data governance issues, ensuring timely escalation and remediation.
• Evaluate, select and support the implementation of data governance tools and platforms.

• Bachelor's degree in Information Management, Computer Science, Cybersecurity or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in data governance, data management or information security within a regulated industry.
• Strong understanding of global data protection and aerospace/defence regulations.
• Experience with data governance tools, enterprise data architecture and cloud‑based data platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to establish data governance capabilities from the ground up in a complex organisation.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Strategic thinking, analytical ability and attention to detail.
• Project‑management skills and ability to drive cross‑functional initiatives.
• Commitment to compliance and ethical data management.

• Professional certifications (e.g. DAMA CDMP, CIPP/E, CISSP, TOGAF).
• Experience in aerospace and defence environments.
• Experience managing data governance operating models.
• Knowledge of metadata management, MDM and data quality frameworks.

• Competitive salary.
• Company car allowance (£5,500pa pro‑rata).
• Industry‑leading pension scheme with matching contributions up to 8%.
• Life assurance (8× salary).
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
• Flexible working hours.
• Income protection.
• Shopping discounts, Cycle To Work Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, Virtual GP Clinic.
• A collaborative dynamic working environment and learning & development opportunities.

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN.

We are committed to providing an accessible recruitment process and will make reasonable adjustments where needed.