Data Governance Lead

We are recruiting for aData Governance Leadto join the A&O Shearman London office. The role is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of firm-wide data governance policies, standards, and procedures. This is crucial to providing reliable insights, advanced analytics, leveraging AI and to safeguard compliance with regulatory requirements. 

About the team

The core of the global technology department’s mission is to provide stable, reliable, and secure platforms and services to our partners, staff and clients and fulfil our regulatory obligations across 30+ countries. To ensure that a consistent and standardised IT service is delivered to all offices, IT is managed and led as a global function, enabling all offices to benefit from complete systems integration and economies of scale. We have around 400 technologists based predominantly in the UK, Singapore and increasingly in the US. 

What you will do

Reporting to the Global Head of Data Governance, the role is responsible for driving the firm’s data governance framework. The role is a member of the Data Governance leadership team and is responsible for coordinating a large network of skilled data professional across the firm and directing external third-party service providers.

This will include the following:

The role is responsible for managing the execution of key strategic data governance initiatives and projects identified in the roadmap. 

Work as part of the Data Governance leadership team to collectively define, implement and operate the firm’s data strategy, deputising for the Global Head of Data Governance as needed. 

Design and oversee the implementation of the firm's data quality management framework, including metrics and monitoring processes. 

Maintain strong working relationships with senior stakeholders across business and technology functions to manage the delivery of the global data governance and retention program.

Provide expertise and advice on data governance, developing and delivering comprehensive training programs on data governance principles, policies, and tools for various audiences (including Data Stewards). 

Run the regular, cross-functional meetings of Data Stewards to track data risks and issues and to develop a roadmap to address them. 

Take responsibility for ensuring data governance documentation is kept up-to-date including; business data glossary, data dictionaries, and data product documentation. 

Drive the consistent application and adoption of data governance practices across different business teams through the hybrid model. 

Work closely with the leadership of Technology Platforms, Information Security and others to ensure that the data within the firm’s key systems is of high quality and is complies with necessary regulatory policies and standards. 

Performance management of the Data Governance Manager and Data Governance Specialist, providing mentorship and ensuring alignment with HR standards and policies. 

Actively identify and pursue opportunities for continuous improvement in data governance processes and effectiveness. 

What you will have

Extensive experience in data governance implementation and operations, preferably within the legal or professional services sector. 

Deep knowledge and understanding of data governance, data lifecycle and data workflow principles and their operational management. 

In-depth knowledge of data quality, metadata management, and related disciplines 

Familiarity with leading data governance technologies. 

Experience in risk management, compliance, or consulting is beneficial. 

Proven project and program management capabilities 

Knowledge of current IT and data market trends and technology innovations. 

Familiarity with standard enterprise IT frameworks and governance processes. 

Extensive experience in the IT industry, with significant experience leading data governance programmes. 

Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills. 

Ability to lead and develop team members. 

Strong process design and improvement skills. 

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

Our approach to hybrid working seeks to combine and maximise the benefits of effective remote working with the benefits of being in the office. Our current hybrid working arrangements require office based working for a minimum of 60% of your time (i.e. three days per week for a full time role) in accordance with our hybrid working policy.