Data Governance Manager in Ilkley

Location: Hybrid / Ilkley LS29 8FL, UK

Job type: Permanent / Full-time

Sector and subsector: Technology | Data & Analytics

Salary: Competitive salary

SmartSearch’s distinctive Anti-Money Laundering verification software protects our clients by offering the most advanced and comprehensive features available from an AML provider. SmartSearch has grown rapidly by fostering an incredibly collaborative and supportive culture. As we continue our ambitious growth plans, we will strive to remain a truly exciting, rewarding, and unique place to work.

HOW WILL YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

We’re looking for a Data Governance Lead to establish, embed, and continuously improve our data governance framework across the organisation. Reporting to the Interim Director of Data and BI, you will lead the development of governance policies, standards, and controls that strengthen trust in data, improve quality, support regulatory compliance, and enable the responsible use of information across the business. The successful candidate will bring strong hands‑on experience of Microsoft Purview, including data cataloguing, lineage, and sensitivity labels, together with a strong understanding of data quality frameworks, GDPR, and wider data privacy requirements. You will work closely with stakeholders across business and technical teams to define governance expectations, coordinate data stewardship activity, and ensure that policies are practical, proportionate, and aligned to operational needs. AI governance will be an important part of this role. You will help shape the controls, oversight, and accountability needed for the safe, ethical, and compliant adoption of AI, ensuring that data used in AI‑enabled processes is appropriately classified, governed, and managed in line with organisational policy and regulatory expectations. This role is suited to someone with 8+ years of experience in data governance and data quality, ideally gained in regulated industries, who can combine strong governance expertise with effective stakeholder engagement and pragmatic delivery.

VARIED DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Data Governance and Policy Leadership
  • Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the organisation’s data governance framework, policies, standards, and controls.
  • Establish clear governance principles for data ownership, stewardship, classification, retention, access, and accountability across the data lifecycle.
  • Write, maintain, and socialise data governance policies and supporting guidance to ensure consistent understanding and adoption across the organisation.
  • Use Microsoft Purview to support data discovery, cataloguing, lineage visibility, and sensitivity labelling across key data assets.
  • Coordinate and support data stewards and business stakeholders to embed governance responsibilities within operational teams.
• Data Quality, Privacy and AI Governance
  • Define and promote data quality standards, measures, and improvement frameworks to strengthen confidence in critical data used for reporting, operations, and decision‑making.
  • Work with legal, security, and operational teams to support compliance with GDPR and related data privacy requirements, ensuring appropriate handling of personal and sensitive information.
  • Provide governance oversight for AI‑related initiatives, helping define appropriate controls for data usage, classification, transparency, risk management, and responsible adoption.
  • Ensure that AI governance considerations are incorporated into wider data governance practices, including data sourcing, lineage, privacy, retention, and access management.
  • Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to influence good governance practice, resolve issues, and support a culture of accountability for data.
  • Monitor governance maturity, identify gaps and risks, and recommend practical improvements that balance control, compliance and business enablement.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR IN A CANDIDATE?

• Microsoft Purview (Data Catalog, Lineage, Sensitivity Labels) – Strong experience using Purview to manage data discovery, classification, lineage tracking, and information protection across enterprise environments.
• Data Quality Frameworks – Proven ability to design and implement data quality standards, controls, and monitoring processes to ensure accuracy, consistency and reliability of data.
• GDPR & Data Privacy Regulations – In‑depth knowledge of GDPR and broader data protection requirements, with experience embedding compliance into data processes and governance frameworks.
• Stakeholder Management & Policy Writing – Extensive experience engaging senior stakeholders and producing clear, effective data governance policies, standards and procedures.
• Data Stewardship Coordination – Experience establishing and working with data stewards, driving ownership, accountability and best practices across business and technical teams.
• AI Governance – Strong understanding of AI governance principles, including risk management, ethical considerations and implementation of controls and oversight mechanisms.
• Certifications (Preferred) – Relevant certifications such as SC‑100 or SC‑401, DAMA CDMP, BCS Data Protection, or IAPP CIPP/E, demonstrating expertise in security, governance and data management.

WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AT SMARTSEARCH?

We are a multi‑award winning Tech company with an aspirational mentality. Some of our most recent recognitions include: named in the renowned RegTech100 list for 2024, listed in the Top 100 Fastest Growing Tech Companies by Northern Tech Awards 2024 as well as being named Technology Provider of the Year by Corporate Finance Awards 2024. We have been Great Place To Work Certified since 2022. There are excellent progression opportunities due to our growth and you will have personal development goals, regular feedback and support. We are a diverse and inclusive team committed to promoting Diversity & Inclusion and Social Responsibility. Through our DE&I group, charitable initiatives and support for local schools, we actively foster a positive impact on our community.

COMPANY BENEFITS

• 25 days holiday rising to 30 with each year of service.
• Private Medical Insurance covering dental and optical.
• Company pension scheme.
• Life Assurance – 4x your annual salary.
• 1 day paid volunteering per year.
• Enhanced maternity / paternity offerings.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Access to a gym.