Data Governance Lead

Get started on your future at CWI, and join us in empowering lives and our community.

Are you passionate about building structure, trust, and clarity around data? The College of Western Idaho (CWI) is seeking a Data Governance Lead to provide institution‑wide leadership for data governance, ensuring the quality, integrity, security, and responsible use of institutional data.

In this role, you will guide governance strategy, facilitate cross‑functional collaboration, and partner with campus leaders to strengthen data stewardship and support informed, data‑driven decision‑making across the college.

At CWI, data is a critical asset that supports student success, operational excellence, and strategic planning. As Data Governance Lead, you’ll shape how data is defined, protected, and used across academic and administrative areas—empowering teams with shared standards, improving trust in analytics, and advancing a strong culture of data accountability and literacy.

CWI offers one of the most affordable and comprehensive benefits packages in higher education, including:

• 11%+ employer retirement contributions
• Generous personal leave

• Lead the development and implementation of a college‑wide data governance program, including policies, standards, and procedures
• Chair the Data Governance Committee and facilitate governance discussions and decisions across functional areas
• Establish and maintain institutional taxonomies and a shared data dictionary across systems
• Interpret and apply data governance frameworks, institutional standards, and regulatory requirements

• Collaborate with department‑level data stewards to define data entry standards, data classification, and data lifecycle practices
• Develop and oversee a data quality program, including monitoring processes, validation standards, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Communicate data quality metrics, governance updates, and compliance requirements to leadership and operational teams
• Serve as a key liaison between IT, data, and business stakeholders to ensure governance alignment and clear communication
• Partner with IT security teams to support data privacy policies, risk management practices, and regulatory compliance (e.g., FERPA)
• Support responsible data access and use while balancing institutional needs and security requirements

• Identify gaps in data understanding and lead initiatives to strengthen data literacy across the college
• Develop communication strategies and resources that promote shared understanding of institutional data and metrics
• Foster a culture of accountability, consistency, and transparency in data use

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Data Management, Business Administration, or a related field
• Five (5) years of experience in data governance, data management, analytics, business analysis, or enterprise systems administration
• Demonstrated experience leading cross‑functional initiatives or governance programs within a complex organization
• Strong understanding of data governance frameworks, metadata management, and data lifecycle concepts
• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and institutional data privacy and security standards
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 tools, including Power BI, Teams, SharePoint, and related collaboration platforms

Most positions at CWI are in-person and based on campus. While some roles may allow up to two remote workdays per week, eligibility for remote work is determined on a case‑by‑case basis at the hiring manager's discretion. All candidates must reside within, or be willing to relocate to, a reasonable commuting distance from CWI. Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other applicable legally protected status.

We invite and welcome all applicants and look forward to receiving your application! Keep in mind, your qualifications and expertise need not precisely match the job description to be considered for this role.