Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data governance strategy, ensuring data quality and compliance across our innovative data platform.
- Company: Join Choreograph, WPP's global data tech company transforming marketing with cutting-edge data solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment, opportunities for growth, and the chance to shape the future of advertising.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of data innovation, making impactful decisions in a collaborative and creative culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in data governance, MDM, and modern data platforms is essential; strong communication skills are a must.
- Other info: This role is based in London and requires eligibility to work in the UK.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Global
Reporting to: VP – Data Excellence
WHO WE ARE
Choreograph is WPP's global data products and technology company. Our mission is to transform marketing by building the fastest, most connected data platform that bridges marketing strategy to scaled activation. We partner with agencies and clients to unlock the full value of data by combining technology, data, and analytics expertise. This is delivered through the Open Media Studio, an AI-enabled media and data platform designed for the future of advertising. Our team of over 1,000 thinkers, builders, creators, and problem-solvers spans 20 markets worldwide, driving innovation and excellence in the advertising industry.
Situated within Choreograph’s Reporting and Analytics group, the Collective Intelligence data modelling product team is responsible for realizing the strategic value of combining data assets from across the GroupM business to unlock insights and power cross-functional data-driven use cases. They will lead teams building scalable, reusable data modelling assets—libraries of data transformation scripts, APIs to expose data for other Choreograph products, and media team-facing self-service tools—to efficiently meet the data needs of client teams, media and investment teams, analytic product teams, and other stakeholders across WPP. This team is tasked with “making sense of the world” of media and advertising data, addressing gaps in processes, tools, and organizational structures.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are seeking an accomplished Director of Data Governance to lead the development and implementation of our data governance strategy specifically for the data platform. You will ensure data quality, compliance, and accessibility within the platform, enabling reliable and efficient data delivery to downstream consumers. You will be responsible for establishing and maintaining data governance policies, standards, and procedures, with a strong focus on Master Data Management (MDM), Data Cataloguing, and regulatory compliance, all within the context of the data platform. You will be adept at guiding cross-functional teams, particularly engineering, DevOps, Data Modelling, and visualization teams, and embedding data governance principles into scalable, impactful platform features. This role is pivotal to the success of our data initiatives, ensuring data-driven insights are reliable, secure, and compliant within the data platform ecosystem.
The Director will guide the cross-functional teams in enhancing the availability, usability, and application of data within the platform, ensuring data is readily available for analytics and reporting. This experienced leader will identify and capitalize on opportunities to improve data quality and enhance data discoverability within the platform, while ensuring adherence to data governance principles. They will be responsible for maintaining strategic product direction and assisting the development team in the successful delivery of initiatives to develop scalable, reusable data transformation logic assets (SQL scripts, DBT models, metadata sets) that integrate seamlessly within the data platform, all within a robust data governance framework.
Key Responsibilities:
- Data Governance Strategy & Execution: Develop, own, and execute the data governance roadmap specifically for the data platform, encompassing data quality, MDM, data cataloguing, and compliance.
- Policy & Standards: Establish and maintain data governance policies, standards, and procedures to ensure data integrity, security, and compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) within the data platform.
- MDM Implementation: Lead the implementation and management of Master Data Management (MDM) solutions to ensure consistent and accurate master data within the data platform.
- Data Cataloging: Oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive data catalog, enabling users to easily discover, understand, and access data assets within the data platform.
- Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure data governance practices align with regulatory requirements and internal policies, and proactively identify and mitigate data-related risks within the data platform.
- Data Quality Management: Define and implement data quality metrics and processes to monitor and improve data accuracy, completeness, and consistency within the data platform.
- Collaboration & Communication (Engineering, DevOps, Data Modelling, Visualization): Collaborate closely with engineering, DevOps, Data Modelling, and visualization teams to ensure data governance principles are integrated into all aspects of the data platform development and operation.
- Data Pipeline Governance: Implement governance controls over data pipelines, ensuring data lineage, data quality, and security are maintained throughout the data flow.
- Data Product Governance: Define and enforce data governance standards for data products built on the data platform, ensuring data quality, security, and compliance.
- Innovation & Research: Use research and market awareness to identify new opportunities and drive data platform innovation, while ensuring data governance considerations are integrated into new initiatives.
- Training & Documentation: Support data platform adoption and engagement by developing effective training, documentation, and user guides, emphasizing data governance best practices.
- Performance Monitoring: Monitor and analyze key data platform performance metrics to identify areas for improvement, and track the effectiveness of data governance initiatives.
About You:
We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate the following attributes:
- Data Governance Expertise: Experience in data governance, data quality management, MDM, and data cataloging within a modern data platform environment (e.g., cloud-based data warehouses, data lakes, data pipelines).
- Data Platform Experience: Proven experience working with modern data platforms, including cloud-based data warehouses, data lakes, and data pipelines.
- Prototyping & Scaling: Demonstrated ability to prototype solutions, scale platform features, and bridge analytics with business execution, while adhering to data governance principles.
- Technical Acumen: Strong understanding of data architecture, data modeling, data integration, data warehousing concepts, and data governance frameworks (e.g., DAMA-DMBOK).
- Technical Skills (Preferred): Experience with MDM and data cataloging tools, data modeling tools, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), and data transformation tools (e.g., dbt).
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, DevOps, data modeling, and visualization teams.
- Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Ability to identify opportunities, address challenges, and optimize data platform performance using strong problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and consideration of data governance implications.
- Communication & Influence: Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence decisions and work effectively in team-oriented environments.
- Compliance & Security: Strong understanding of data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and their impact on data governance practices.
- Digital Advertising Knowledge (Bonus): Expertise in campaign planning, budgeting, targeting, and optimization techniques is a plus, but not required.
(Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location)
Director, Data Governance (London) employer: Placed
Contact Detail:
Placed Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Data Governance (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in data governance and compliance, especially around GDPR and CCPA. This knowledge will not only help you understand the role better but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in this fast-evolving field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the data governance space, particularly those who have experience with cloud-based data platforms. Engaging in conversations can provide insights into the challenges they face and how you can position yourself as a solution provider.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your ability to lead cross-functional teams by sharing examples of past collaborations. Highlighting your experience in guiding engineering, DevOps, and data modelling teams will make you stand out as a candidate who can effectively implement data governance strategies.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific tools and methodologies you've used for Master Data Management and data cataloguing. Being able to articulate your hands-on experience with these tools will demonstrate your technical acumen and readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Data Governance (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in data governance, data quality management, and Master Data Management (MDM). Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you are passionate about data governance and how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Mention your experience with cloud-based data platforms and your ability to lead cross-functional teams.
Showcase Technical Skills: Clearly list any technical skills that are relevant to the role, such as familiarity with data cataloging tools, data transformation tools, and cloud platforms like AWS or Azure. This will help demonstrate your fit for the position.
Highlight Compliance Knowledge: Emphasise your understanding of data privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA. Provide examples of how you've ensured compliance in previous roles, as this is a key aspect of the Director, Data Governance position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Placed
✨Understand Data Governance Fundamentals
Make sure you have a solid grasp of data governance principles, especially in relation to Master Data Management (MDM) and data cataloguing. Be prepared to discuss how these concepts apply to the role and how you can implement them effectively within the data platform.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Highlight your experience with modern data platforms and tools, such as cloud-based data warehouses and data transformation tools like dbt. Be ready to provide examples of how you've used these technologies to improve data quality and governance in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various teams, including engineering and DevOps. Prepare to share specific instances where you've successfully collaborated across departments to achieve data governance goals or enhance data accessibility.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Given the importance of regulatory compliance in this position, be ready to discuss your understanding of data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Think of examples where you've ensured compliance in past projects and how you would approach it in this new role.
