Data Governance Lead

Smiths Group designs, manufactures and delivers smarter engineering solutions for mission‑critical applications, solving some of the world’s toughest problems for our customers, our communities and our world. For over 170 years, Smiths Group has been pioneering progress by improving the world through smarter engineering.

We serve millions of people every year, helping to create a safer, more efficient and better‑connected world across four major global markets: Energy, General Industry, Security & Defence, and Aerospace. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs 14,600 colleagues in over 50 countries.

The Data Governance Lead sits at the heart of the Programme Advance, a bold and transformative HCM and Payroll modernisation initiative. This role ensures that every improvement we deliver is grounded in high‑quality, trusted, and compliant data. As the organisation moves into new operating models and technologies, the Data Governance Lead will design, implement and champion governance frameworks that protect the accuracy, integrity and security of employee and payroll data across all business units.

This is a role that shapes the rules of the game. You will drive the development of policies, standards and processes that make seamless data integration, master data management and regulatory compliance not only achievable but embedded into the way we work.

By collaborating closely with HR, Payroll, IT and business stakeholders, you will unlock the full potential of our HCM and Payroll systems—enabling smoother onboarding, more reliable payroll cycles, sharper workforce insights and stronger strategic decision‑making across the organisation.

In this position, you will lead the creation, management and ongoing enhancement of the company’s data governance framework. You will work closely with senior leadership to shape and execute the strategic roadmap for data quality, compliance and stewardship while overseeing the policies, standards and processes that safeguard data across Smiths Group and its divisions.

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• Develop, implement and maintain data governance policies, standards and procedures to ensure high‑quality, trusted data across the organisation.
  
• Establish and govern master/reference data, data quality management, data cataloguing, data lineage and traceability for all business units.
  
• Collaborate with business and technical stakeholders to define data ownership, stewardship and accountability models.
  
• Lead initiatives to improve data quality, resolve data issues and drive adoption of data governance best practices.
  
• Oversee compliance with legal, regulatory (GDPR), privacy, security and usage requirements.
  
• Facilitate the creation and maintenance of business glossaries, data dictionaries and metadata management tools.
  
• Provide guidance and training to data stewards, business users and technical teams on data governance principles and practices.
  
• Monitor and report on data governance metrics, including data quality KPIs, policy adherence and remediation progress.
  
• Support the integration of data governance into project delivery, change management and BAU activities.
  
• Act as a subject matter expert and escalation point for complex data governance queries and issues.
  
• Foster a culture of data stewardship and continuous improvement across the organisation.
  
• Develop approval workflows for master data and define data quality metrics to drive continuous system and data improvement.
  

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• Degree level or equivalent education.
  
• Strong understanding of data governance frameworks (e.g., DAMA‑DMBOK), data management principles and industry best practices.
  
• Significant experience in data quality management, data cataloguing, metadata management and data lineage tools.
  
• Familiarity with data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR) and compliance requirements.
  
• Proficiency with data management platforms (e.g., Azure Data Lake, Databricks) and BI tools (e.g., PowerBI).
  
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving and organisational skills.
  
• Experience working with both onshore and offshore teams.
  
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to interact at all levels of the organisation.
  
• Experience in developing and delivering training and documentation for data governance initiatives.
  
• Passion for data, technology and continuous improvement.
  

Full‑time role based in our Central Birmingham office, operating on a four‑days‑in‑office working model.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age or any other legally protected characteristic. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support and embrace diversity.