Metadata Data Cataloging Analyst
Tysons Corner, VA - USA
Job Summary
Job Family:
Data Engineering & Architecture Consulting
Travel Required:
Clearance Required:
Job Summary
The Metadata / Data Cataloging Analyst (Senior Consultant) supports enterprise metadata baselining data catalog tool evaluation and governance workflow operationalization by executing structured metadata intake normalization validation and evidence-based documentation across DHA stakeholders. This role is hands-on: conducting in-person/virtual interviews with system owners data stewards and SMEs to capture and standardize technical business operational and security metadata in catalog-ready formats; and supporting steward validation cycles to ensure accuracy and completeness.
In addition this role performs hands-on evaluation of data catalog solutions as part of an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) including requirements-to-capability mapping demos evidence capture gap documentation and synthesis of tradeoffs aligned to DHA priorities (e.g. integration lineage governance workflows access/security usability and vendor support).
The role also contributes to optional governance and lifecycle pilots by supporting federated stewardship readiness assessments (e.g. role clarity escalation paths policy execution and audit traceability) and by helping define and exercise data product lifecycle workflows (e.g. publication discovery change control versioning SLA alignment and deprecation) including measurement of compliance to quality and semantic tagging protocols.
Key Responsibilities
Execute structured metadata intake & normalization: Conduct in-person/virtual interviews and working sessions with system owners data stewards custodians and SMEs to elicit capture and normalize technical business operational and security metadata; reconcile findings with available artifacts (e.g. inventories data dictionaries) to produce catalog-ready metadata records.
Standards-aligned metadata structuring: Apply standardized intake templates and ensure metadata is structured in catalog-ready formats aligned to recognized metadata standards (e.g. ISO/IEC 11179 and DCAT-US) and schema categories (technical business operational security) including ownership/stewardship and sensitivity indicators as applicable.
Steward validation cycles & quality controls: Drive completeness/consistency checks document discrepancies and coordinate steward validation cycles to confirm definitions resolve gaps and improve metadata reliability prior to repository or catalog ingestion.
Embedded engagement model: Embed with system owners and designated stewards to improve metadata accuracy and completeness support rapid clarification loops and ensure metadata reflects real operational usage and constraints.
Hands-on catalog tool evaluation: Perform structured evaluation of catalog solutions across discovery lineage governance workflows UX and APIs; capture evidence through demos and testing; document strengths gaps and constraints; and contribute to comparative scoring inputs aligned to requirement taxonomies (functional integration infrastructure/compute access/security vendor support/cost).
AoA workshop and documentation support: Support criteria refinement sessions requirement prioritization inputs and synthesis of findings into decision-quality artifacts (e.g. evaluation notes evidence logs comparison matrices and recommendation inputs).
Federated governance & workforce readiness pilot support: Support pilot experiments with federated stewardship roles; assist in capturing observations and metrics on role clarity policy execution escalation paths stewardship effectiveness metadata lineage demonstration and policy audit traceability; contribute to pilot reporting outputs.
Data product lifecycle workflow support: Help define test and refine prototype workflows for data product creation publication discovery change control versioning SLA enforcement and deprecation; support measurement of compliance to data quality rules role-based controls and semantic tagging protocols.
Program operations & stakeholder coordination: Maintain meeting agendas stakeholder rosters minutes and decision/action logs; maintain RACI and risk/issue/action tracking; support facilitation logistics across in-person/virtual sessions; and maintain document control and versioning discipline.
Reporting support: Prepare inputs for monthly and quarterly reporting; maintain supporting artifacts and evidence repositories required for status and governance reporting.
What you will need:
US Citizenship is required.
Bachelors degree obtained.
Must be able to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal or DoD PUBLIC TRUST. Candidates with an ACTIVE SECRET CLEARANCE OR PUBLIC TRUST or suitability are preferred.
5 years of experience in data management data governance metadata management and/or data cataloging work in complex environments.
Demonstrated experience supporting data cataloging/metadata management initiatives including metadata intake business glossary/data dictionary concepts stewardship workflows and metadata quality practices.
Hands-on familiarity with one or more leading data catalog / metadata platforms (e.g. Collibra Alation Microsoft Purview Informatica Axon/EDC) and the ability to evaluate solution capabilities using structured criteria.
Working knowledge of metadata standards and structured approaches to defining and managing metadata (including capturing technical and business metadata stewardship attributes and sensitivity markers).
Working proficiency with SQL and strong comfort with technical concepts such as APIs and integration patterns (sufficient to coordinate with engineers/architects and interpret system artifacts).
Experience operating in structured delivery methods (Agile preferred) including managing action items risks/issues and producing clear stakeholder-ready documentation.
Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to conduct interviews facilitate working sessions document evidence and translate technical metadata into consistent business-consumable forms.
Ability to meet the projects client security and access requirements.
What Would Be Nice to Have:
Direct experience conducting or supporting catalog tool evaluations / AoAs including criteria development demo scripts evidence logs scoring and synthesis of tradeoffs into decision-ready recommendations.
Bachelors degree in information systems Computer Science Data/Information Management Engineering or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
Familiarity with federated governance concepts and readiness pilots (e.g. stewardship role clarity escalation paths policy execution lineage demonstration audit traceability).
Familiarity with data product lifecycle governance concepts (e.g. workflow design for publish/discover/change control/deprecate; versioning; SLA alignment; semantic tagging; data quality compliance measurement).
Experience building or administering structured metadata repositories/workflows in SharePoint/PowerApps/Power Automate or similar low-code environments used for interim metadata capture and validation.
Background in regulated environments (healthcare preferred) and comfort working with metadata classification concepts related to PHI/PII/CUI and audit-oriented documentation.
Relevant certifications (e.g. DAMA/CDMP) or formal training in data governance metadata management taxonomy/ontology or information architecture.
What We Offer:
Guidehouse offers a comprehensive total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.
Benefits include:
Medical Rx Dental & Vision Insurance
Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Basic Life & Supplemental Life
Health Savings Account Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
Student Loan PayDown
Tuition Reimbursement Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
Skills Development & Certifications
Employee Referral Program
Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
Mobility Stipend
About Guidehouse
Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity EmployerProtected Veterans Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law ordinance or regulation.
Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
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Required Experience:
IC
About Company
Guidehouse is the only scaled advisory consultancy in the world to fully integrate commercial and public or government businesses within each of our industry segments because complex problems require both perspectives to address and outwit.