Head of Data Governance in Edinburgh

The Head of Data Governance leads Baillie Gifford's firmwide Data Governance function and is responsible for defining, implementing and embedding the firm's data governance framework, standards and control expectations. The role provides leadership on data ownership, stewardship, definitions, metadata, lineage, data quality, controls, decision rights, privacy, retention and ethical use. It provides oversight, challenge and monitoring of adherence to data governance standards, while business areas remain accountable for executing data controls. The role reports to the Head of Data, is part of the Data Services Leadership Group and Data Strategy Group, and chairs the Data Governance Group. The role will ensure Baillie Gifford has a clear, practical and effective framework for how data is owned, defined, controlled, protected and used across the firm. The role strengthens data governance maturity by setting standards, supporting adoption, monitoring adherence and providing independent challenge where risks, control gaps or ownership issues arise.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the firmwide Data Governance framework, including policies, standards, principles, roles, accountabilities, decision rights, mandatory controls and escalation routes.
• Define the target operating model for data governance, including federated ownership through data owners, stewards and subject matter experts.
• Establish expectations for data ownership, stewardship, definitions, metadata, lineage, data quality, privacy, retention, ethical use and control evidence.
• Through monitoring, provide independent oversight and challenge of adherence to governance standards (including AI data use), ensuring business areas effectively discharge their data ownership and control responsibilities.
• Own the Data Governance Control Framework, including control objectives, assurance expectations, data quality measures, KPIs and KRIs.
• Chair the Data Governance Group providing clear, insight‐led reporting to the Data Strategy Group, Data Services Leadership Group and other senior forums.
• Translate complex data governance, regulatory and control topics into business‐relevant insight, risk, client impact and decision points.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders within Technology, Data Architecture, Data Management, Risk, Compliance, Legal and Information Security, in addition to data owners and stewards.
• Develop and lead a data governance community, championing accountability, data literacy, consistent language and adoption of standards.
• Embed data governance into change activity, ensuring initiatives consider data requirements early.
• Provide advice and challenge on data governance and risk implications of AI and advanced analytics usage, major change, platform transformation and supplier arrangements.
• Lead, coach and develop Data Governance team members, promoting continuous improvement and measurable uplift in governance maturity.

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification or certification, such as DAMA CDMP or IAPP AIGP, or a relevant risk, compliance, audit or data management qualification.
• Strong experience in data governance, information governance, data management, risk, controls or related senior leadership roles.
• Proven experience defining and embedding governance frameworks, operating models, policies, standards and control expectations.
• Strong understanding of data ownership, stewardship, metadata, lineage, data quality, decision rights, control frameworks and governance tooling.
• Experience operating in regulated financial services, with awareness of operational resilience, privacy, security, auditability and responsible data use.
• Ability to provide independent challenge to senior stakeholders while maintaining constructive relationships.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data, regulatory and technical matters into clear business impact.
• Experience supporting enterprise‐wide transformation, major change or platform‐related programmes.
• Strong people leadership skills, including coaching, prioritisation, delegation and performance management.

The type of candidate that we're looking for:

We are looking for a highly experienced data governance leader who can operate confidently at senior levels, with the judgement and conviction to influence and constructively challenge stakeholders across the firm. The successful candidate will have experience embedding governance frameworks and control expectations in a regulated environment, translating data risk and regulatory matters into practical business action, while building trusted relationships, developing capability of the team and supporting future data needs, including AI and advanced analytics.

Critical Skills

• Nurture relationships
• Adaptability
• Data Literacy
• Improvement mindset
• Storytelling

Closing Date July 14, 2026

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful culture in which each of our colleagues can thrive and develop. We believe that our clients are best served by a diverse workforce with the experiences, ideas and perspectives that this brings.