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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a modern data governance framework to drive innovation and protect data.
- Company: Join Mishcon de Reya, a rapidly growing law firm with a dynamic tech team.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping data governance in a forward-thinking environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in data governance and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
The Department
Our Technology team continues to go from strength to strength, playing a vital role in firm-wide innovation and strategy. Far from being a support function, Technology is integral to the firm's growth agenda, backed by strong leadership engagement and sustained investment.
The Role
Build a modern, outcome-driven data governance capability that strengthens the firm's resilience and unlocks business value. The Data Governance Manager will operationalize the firm's governance model to embed privacy-by-design, proportionate controls, and clear accountability, improving data quality, enabling responsible innovation, and reducing the firm's data attack surface as part of holistic risk management. This role ensures governance is not just compliance, but a strategic enabler for growth and protection.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain data governance roles, responsibilities and structures supported by practical policies, standards and data artefacts.
- Operationalize DGC priorities via quarterly delivery roadmaps and cadences; co-chair working and strategic meetings as needed.
- Introduce and maintain enterprise taxonomy, glossary and lineage in Microsoft Purview; ensure certified definitions are adopted in reporting and AI.
- Deliver an Information Asset Register and put in place processes to govern registered assets and critical data elements.
- Stand up domain data quality scorecards, remediation workflows and continuous improvement; drive measurable improvements (≥75% compliance for priority domains).
- Implementation of retention, classification and confidentiality safeguards proportionately across key systems (e.g., iManage/Intapp Walls).
- Lead privacy by design reviews and coach delivery teams, so governance guardrails enable pace rather than add friction.
- Publish evidence-based assurance packs for CIO/DGC, escalating unresolved risks and tracking actions to closure.
- Own the quarterly Operating Model delivery plan for Data Governance; report progress monthly to DGC/CIO with evidence-based metrics.
- Coordinate with the firm's AI governance mechanisms to embed proportionate controls and provide assurance (e.g., participate in AIRA risk assessments; surface outcomes and escalations to the AI Governance & Risk Committee).
- Operationalise AI readiness in delivery, ensure classification, retention and confidentiality safeguards are prerequisites for go live; align Purview sensitivity labels and Defender DLP/MDCA controls to approved policy and usage patterns for Copilot/AI tools.
Skills and Experience
- Proven experience designing and operationalizing data governance frameworks in complex, regulated environments (experience in legal settings highly desirable).
- Excellent communication and influencing skills; able to simplify governance concepts and drive adoption across legal and business audiences.
- Hands-on experience with Microsoft Purview (glossary, lineage, sensitivity labels) and MDM platforms (e.g., Profisee / Intapp Walls).
- Strong understanding of data quality management (controls, scorecards, remediation) and privacy/retention operations.
- Experience of process mapping, improvement and automation; comfortable with federated accountability across domains.
- Hands-on AI/LLM governance execution: able to run AIRA style risk assessments, document decisions and produce assurance packs that leadership can rely on.
- Microsoft 365 governance literacy: understands Copilot access via M365 ACLs; uses Purview labels for encryption/usage restrictions and coordinates with Defender DLP/MDCA for SaaS/web governance.
- Methodologies: pragmatic DAMA DMBOK application and familiarity with EDM Council DCAM; able to embed privacy by design and DPIA in delivery cadences.
- Experience aligning data governance with cyber risk frameworks to reduce the organization's data attack surface.
- Ability to link governance outcomes to business value and client trust, with measurable KPIs and assurance reporting.
- Knowledge of GDPR, UK Data Protection Act, and sector-specific compliance obligations.
- Experience managing governance risks across SaaS platforms and third-party integrations.
- Outcome focused leader who rationalises and simplifies complex issues and articulates benefits clearly.
- Flexible and adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity as the business evolves.
- Collaborative and personable, able to build trust and influence senior stakeholders.
- Bias for action, designs lightweight governance that enables autonomous delivery.
Qualifications
- Degree in Information Management, Computer Science, Data/Information Governance, Law/Compliance or equivalent experience.
- Optional certifications: IAPP (e.g., CIPP/E, CIPM); DAMA CDMP; familiarity with EDM Council DCAM; relevant Microsoft Purview/Compliance certifications; awareness of ISO 27001/27701.
Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.
About Mishcon de Reya LLP
Mishcon de Reya is an independent law firm, which now employs over 1400 people with more than 650 lawyers offering a wide range of legal services to companies and individuals. The firm has grown rapidly in recent years, showing more than 40% revenue growth in the past five years alone. With presence in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Hong Kong and UAE, the firm services an international community of clients and provides advice in situations where the constraints of geography often do not apply. The work the firm undertakes is cross-border, multi-jurisdictional and complex, centred around three increasingly entwined and connected sectors: the Innovation Economy, Private Wealth and Capital, and Real Estate. The firm is known as a disputes powerhouse with a formidable capacity firmwide for dispute resolution. We strive to create a fully diverse and inclusive workplace where all our people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We are proud of our agile working culture and are always happy to talk flexible working.
Data Governance Manager employer: Mishcon de Reya Group
Contact Detail:
Mishcon de Reya Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Governance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their data governance practices and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your skills and how they can benefit the firm. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your expertise in data governance and how you can help them achieve their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Governance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in data governance frameworks, especially in complex environments. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves influencing various stakeholders, it’s crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to show us you can simplify complex governance concepts.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Don’t forget to mention your hands-on experience with tools like Microsoft Purview and your understanding of data quality management. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure we know what you bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mishcon de Reya Group
✨Know Your Data Governance Framework
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of data governance frameworks, especially in regulated environments. Brush up on your knowledge of GDPR and the UK Data Protection Act, as well as how these relate to the role. Being able to discuss specific frameworks you've designed or operationalised will show your expertise.
✨Master Microsoft Purview
Since hands-on experience with Microsoft Purview is crucial for this role, ensure you're familiar with its features like glossary, lineage, and sensitivity labels. Prepare to discuss how you've used these tools in past roles to improve data quality and governance. A practical example can really set you apart!
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Excellent communication skills are key for this position. Practice simplifying complex governance concepts so that they can be easily understood by both legal and business audiences. During the interview, aim to articulate how your governance strategies can drive business value and client trust.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires working closely with various stakeholders, so be ready to share examples of how you've built trust and influenced senior stakeholders in previous positions. Highlight your ability to collaborate and adapt in a fast-paced environment, as this will resonate well with the firm's culture.