Data Governance Specialist

The Data Governance Specialist leads the implementation of BT Group's data governance strategy, ensuring that data is accurate, consistent, secure, and aligned with strategic objectives. This role ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and drives the optimisation of data assets to deliver value across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of BT Group's data governance strategy roadmap, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Lead the strategic implementation of data governance processes and influence the risk and assurance management of data and AI risk.
• Manage processes for monitoring data governance policies, procedures, and standards to ensure data quality, privacy, and integrity.
• Implement and maintain privacy frameworks, policies, processes (e.g. DPIAs, ROPAs, consent management) to ensure compliance with data protection laws such as GDPR.
• Advise and collaborate with cross-functional teams to embed privacy by design, manage risk, respond to data incidents, and ensure regulatory readiness across data processing activities.
• Oversee the deployment of data policies and ensure enforcement through influence and indirect leadership of developers and data governance professionals across the Networks verticals.
• Work across the organisation to influence data governance strategy and priority to ensure we meet our group commitments.
• Own DCAM for Networks and how we achieve our Group level KPIs.
• Empower teams to engage with CAF.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to identify potential data risks, mitigate them, and implement enhanced security measures.
• Develop and implement data governance frameworks, policies, standards, and procedures in existing and new environments.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders across business units to ensure buy-in and sponsorship of data governance initiatives.
• Mentor and coach a team of professionals, fostering growth and maintaining a high-performing team capable of executing the governance strategy.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance data control processes and data management platforms.

Qualifications

• CIPP/E: European data protection laws like GDPR.
• CIPM: Data protection law into practice.
• Metadata Management: Proficiency in managing metadata to ensure transparency and usability.
• Data Security: Expertise in securing data using encryption, tokenisation, and key management practices.
• Regulatory Compliance: Strong knowledge of GDPR, TSA, DPA, and other data-related regulatory frameworks.
• Data Quality: Skilled in employing methodologies to measure and improve data quality.
• Data Governance Frameworks: Familiarity with DAMA-DMBOK and DCAM frameworks.
• Data Lineage: Ability to document and visualise data flow from source to consumption.
• Leadership and Decision‑Making: Inclusive leadership style, with strong decision‑making and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Growth Mindset: Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• Proven track record in leading data governance programs at a senior level.
• Hands‑on experience with data management tools and platforms like Collibra, Ab Initio, or similar.
• Demonstrated experience in cross‑functional collaboration and stakeholder management.
• Background in mentoring and developing high‑performing teams (preferred).

Benefits

• 10% on target bonus.
• BT Pension scheme, minimum 5% employee contribution; BT contribution 10%.
• From January 2025, equal family leave: 18 weeks at full pay, 8 weeks at half pay, 26 weeks at statutory rate.
• Enhanced women’s health support: menopause support, cancer screenings, period care and more.
• 25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service.
• 24/7 private virtual GP appointments for UK colleagues.
• 2 weeks carer’s leave.
• World‑class training and development opportunities.
• Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes.