Data Governance Officer

Overview

Utah State University is advancing a bold analytics initiative to transform how data informs decision-making across the institution. With the launch of our modern analytics environment—built to support scalable, AI-ready data products—we are investing deeply in data governance as a strategic priority. As part of this commitment, we are seeking a Data Governance Officer to lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of USU’s institutional data governance framework.

This role is central to ensuring our data is accurate, trustworthy, and strategically managed to maximize its value in academic, administrative, and research contexts.

The Data Governance Officer leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Utah State University’s institutional data governance framework. This position ensures that university data is accurate, trustworthy, AI-ready, and strategically managed to maximize its value. The data governance officer collaborates with academic, administrative, and research units to establish standards, steward data quality, and promote responsible data use across the institution.

This position is eligible for hybrid work within the state of Utah.

• Lead the refinement and execution of a hub-and-spoke data governance framework aligned with institutional priorities.
• Develop and enforce standards for data quality, metadata, classification, lifecycle, and access.
• Coordinate a network of data stewards and trustees across university units.
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of a centralized institutional data catalog.
• Ensure metadata completeness and AI-readiness across descriptive, structural, administrative, operational, and ethical dimensions.
• Manage structured access to modeled data through platforms such as Snowflake and DBT, ensuring compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, and other regulations.
• Implement automated data quality checks and coordinate remediation workflows with data stewards and system owners.
• Develop quarterly data quality audit/reviews for departments and stewards.
• Promote data literacy and responsible data use through training and engagement.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Chief Data and Analytics Officer and participate in institutional planning efforts.

• Bachelor’s degree in data management, information systems, public administration, or a related field.
• Five years of experience in data governance, data management, or analytics leadership.
• Knowledge of data governance frameworks (e.g., DAMA-DMBOK).
• Experience with data cataloging, metadata management, and data quality assurance.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Master’s degree or professional certification in data governance or data management.
• Experience in higher education or public sector institutions.
• Familiarity with Snowflake, DBT, and modern data lakehouse architectures.
• Understanding of AI-readiness practices and ethical data use.

Along with the online application, please attach:

• Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
• Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

** Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Minimum $90,000, commensurate with experience ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

The Office of Data and Analytics empowers Utah State University to make informed, strategic decisions through trusted data and advanced analytics. We lead initiatives in data governance, integration, and insights to support academic excellence, operational efficiency, and institutional effectiveness. Central to our mission is the USU Analytics initiative, which delivers a modern data and analytics platform designed to provide timely, accurate, and actionable information for planning, assessment, and innovation.

Through this initiative, we enable campus partners to leverage data for student…