Data Governance Manager in Manchester

At First Choice Homes Oldham, we're improving lives through great homes and services. We're looking for a Data Governance Manager to help us strengthen how data is governed, understood and used across the organisation.

This is an exciting time to join our growing Data Team. We've recently launched our Data Strategy, with ambitious programmes focused on data governance, data literacy and modern data infrastructure. You'll play a key role in ensuring our data is trusted, well-managed and supports better decision-making, regulatory assurance and service improvement.

Working closely with colleagues across operational services, ICT and the wider Data Team, you'll help establish clear ownership of data, improve data quality and embed a culture where data is understood, valued and used effectively. This is an opportunity to shape how data governance operates across FCHO and make a lasting impact on how we deliver services for customers and colleagues.

What you'll be doing

• Lead the development and implementation of FCHO's Data Governance Framework, policies and standards.
• Establish clear accountability for data ownership and stewardship across the organisation.
• Work with business leaders to improve data quality, consistency and governance practices.
• Support the implementation and ongoing development of Microsoft Purview and other governance tools.
• Improve understanding of data lineage, documentation and traceability across key systems and processes.
• Provide governance assurance for regulatory returns, audits, inspections and board reporting.
• Deliver practical guidance, training and support to colleagues, helping improve data literacy and confidence.
• Monitor and report on data quality, governance maturity and compliance.
• Work across business, ICT and data teams to identify and implement improvements to data management practices.
• Support wider digital transformation and data strategy initiatives across FCHO.

What we're looking for

• Experience in data governance, information management, data quality or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of data governance principles including ownership, stewardship, quality, documentation and auditability.
• Experience working across multiple systems and understanding how data flows between them.
• Experience developing governance frameworks, standards or improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of data protection, information rights and governance best practice.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence at all levels.
• The ability to explain complex data concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Strong analytical, documentation and problem-solving skills.
• Experience supporting assurance, compliance or audit activity.
• Experience with Microsoft Purview, CRM systems such as Salesforce, housing management systems or regulated environments such as housing, local government or the public sector would be advantageous.

First Choice Homes Oldham is a housing association providing safe, affordable and high-quality homes across Oldham and the surrounding areas. We own and manage over 11,500 properties and have the highest regulatory G1/V1 governance rating.

Every day, we’re proud to make a real difference in our communities. Our work is guided by our Corporate Plan, focused on quality homes, excellent services and strong communities. We care deeply about our customers, colleagues and communities and are committed to improving lives across Oldham.

What’s in it for you?

• A salary of £60,000 per annum.
• A 37-hour working week with hybrid working options.
• 30 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
• Option to purchase additional annual leave.
• Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution and salary exchange option.
• Death in service benefit.
• Healthcare cash plan covering dental, optical and physiotherapy treatments.
• Private health insurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme offering 24-hour confidential support.
• Doctorline, giving you and your family 24/7 GP access.
• Access to our colleague benefits platform, including retail discounts and wellbeing tools.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Professional subscriptions paid where essential for the role.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and sick pay.
• Access to our on-site wellbeing room and on-site café.
• Long service awards.

If you meet the criteria for the role and have the experience, values and passion to help us deliver safe, well-maintained homes for our customers, we’d love to hear from you.

Please send your application before 01/06/2026. Please note we reserve the right to close this advert earlier should we receive a high volume of applications.

We are committed to building an organisation that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. As an equal opportunities employer, FCHO is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective colleagues and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us.

We care that you have a great experience with us at FCHO. If you need us to make any reasonable adjustments to make your experience smoother, please let us know and we’ll do all we can.