Director, Data Governance, Asia

You are as unique as your background experience and point of view. Here youll be encouraged empowered and challenged to be your best self. Youll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day youll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as the Director of Data Governance for Sun Life Asia. This role will be responsible for developing implementing and overseeing the data governance strategy across our Asian operations ensuring data quality compliance and effective utilization of data assets. The successful candidate will work closely with market-specific data governance teams to align regional initiatives with local requirements and best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategy and Leadership:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive data governance strategy for Sun Life Asia aligned with global corporate objectives and local market needs.
• Lead and mentor a team of data governance professionals across the region.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to promote a data-driven culture and secure buy-in for data governance initiatives.

2. Policy and Framework Development:

• Establish and maintain data governance policies standards and procedures for the Asian region.
• Ensure alignment with global data governance frameworks while accommodating local regulatory requirements and business practices.
• Develop and implement data quality metrics and monitoring processes.

3. Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with IT Legal Compliance Risk Management and business units to integrate data governance practices into daily operations.
• Coordinate with market-specific data governance teams to ensure consistent implementation of policies and standards across all Asian markets.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice exchange between regional and market-level data governance teams.

4. Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management:

• Stay abreast of data protection laws and regulations across Asian markets.
• Ensure compliance with local and international data privacy regulations (e.g. GDPR PDPA).
• Develop and oversee data risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

5. Data Quality and Master Data Management:

• Oversee the implementation of data quality improvement initiatives across the region.
• Collaborate with IT and business teams to establish and maintain master data management processes.
• Drive the adoption of data quality tools and technologies.

6. Stakeholder Management and Communication:

• Serve as the primary liaison between Sun Life Asia and global data governance teams.
• Regularly report on data governance progress challenges and opportunities to senior leadership.
• Conduct training and awareness programs to promote data governance principles across the organization.

7. Project Management:

• Lead and oversee regional data governance projects and initiatives.
• Coordinate with market-level teams on the implementation of local data governance projects.
• Manage budgets and resources for data governance programs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in computer science Information Systems Business Administration or related field. Masters degree preferred.
• 10 years of experience in data governance data management or related fields with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing data governance strategies in a large complex organization.
• Strong understanding of data protection laws and regulations in Asian markets.
• Experience working in the financial services or insurance industry is highly desirable.
• Excellent leadership communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with senior executives and cross-functional teams.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in data governance tools and technologies.
• Certifications such as CDMP DGQP or CIPM are a plus.

Required Skills:

• Strategic thinking and ability to translate data governance concepts into actionable plans
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities
• Excellent project management skills
• In-depth understanding of data architecture data modeling and database management systems
• Familiarity with emerging technologies such as big data cloud computing and artificial intelligence
• Ability to balance technical expertise with business acumen
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Fluency in English; proficiency in one or more Asian languages is a plus

This role requires significant coordination with market-specific data governance teams across Sun Lifes Asian operations. The successful candidate will need to balance regional consistency with local market flexibility fostering a collaborative environment that promotes the sharing of best practices while respecting local regulatory and business requirements. Strong diplomatic skills and cultural sensitivity are essential for success in this position.

Job Category:

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