Data Governance Lead

Data Governance Lead Introduction

The Data Governance Lead will lead the growth and execution of nxzen’s Data Governance, and Data Operating Models offerings in the UK market. Reporting to the UK Head of Data and AI, and working alongside the AI and Analytics Lead, you will support business development, shape client propositions, and deliver complex data governance engagements for major energy and utilities clients.

You will act as the recognised authority on data governance within nxzen, bringing deep DAMA‑DMBOK expertise and hands‑on platform experience to every engagement. This is a hybrid role: delivery‑led with a strong business development component. You will personally lead complex engagements, work directly with client data teams, and build governance solutions alongside your team rather than delegating from a distance.

The role spans the full lifecycle of data governance and data management: from executive‑level data vision and strategy advisory, through operating model design and organisational change, to hands‑on implementation and configuration of governance tooling such as Microsoft Purview and Collibra, and driving data adoption through use‑case discovery and implementation. You will be expected to roll up your sleeves and deliver, not just advise.

You will build and coach a data governance practice line spanning the UK and India, develop strategic relationships with technology partners and industry bodies, alignment with the AI and Analytics practice line, and work closely with nxzen’s client partners and cross practices to embed data governance into the broader service portfolio. Success in this role requires genuine subject‑matter depth, strong consulting acumen, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a sharp commercial focus.

We are looking for a senior data governance leader with genuine subject‑matter expertise, not a project manager who has supervised governance programmes from a distance. We need someone who has personally designed governance frameworks, configured governance platforms, and run data quality remediation work streams with their own hands. You will bring deep, hands‑on knowledge of DAMA‑DMBOK principles and their practical application, combined with real implementation experience on Microsoft Purview, Collibra, or Informatica (Cloud Data Governance and Catalog).

CDMP certification (or equivalent DAMA credential) is strongly preferred.

You will be highly client‑facing, commercially sharp, and comfortable working with onshore/offshore teams. An entrepreneurial mindset is essential, with the energy and vision to build and scale a new data governance practice. You must be equally credible advising a Chief Data Officer on data strategy as you are defining sensitivity labels in Purview or defining business glossary workflows in Collibra.

• Deep, hands‑on expertise in DAMA‑DMBOK key knowledge areas:
  Data Governance, Data Quality, Metadata Management, and Master and Reference Data. Supplementary knowledge in Data Architecture, Data Security, Data Integration and Interoperability, Document and Content Management, Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence.
• Proven hands‑on implementation experience with Microsoft Purview (data catalogue, sensitivity labelling, data classification, compliance policies, data lineage) and Collibra (business glossary, data dictionary, data quality rules, workflow configuration, stewardship assignments). Alation and Informatica (Cloud Data Governance and Catalog) are desirable, not essential.
• Track record of designing and delivering Data Operating Models, including organisational design, RACI definitions, stewardship networks, and governance council structures.
• Trusted advisor status with senior stakeholders in regulated industries, from Data Owners and CDOs to C‑suite.
• CDMP certification or equivalent DAMA credential strongly preferred;
  Practitioner or Master level ideal.
• Comfortable building and coaching onshore/offshore delivery teams, with experience developing capability in offshore centres (ideally India).
• Experience with UK energy and utilities clients, including familiarity with Ofgem, Ofwat, regulatory data and reporting requirements…