Enterprise Data Governance Lead

We are seeking an experienced Enterprise Data Governance Lead to play a pivotal role in our global data transformation with a clear mandate to drive data unification and collaboration across the Group.

The successful candidate will lead the definition and execution of a future-ready data governance and management strategy ensuring data is structured controlled and consistently managed across the business. This includes establishing clear standards ownership and governance frameworks that improve how data is stored accessed and used enabling high-quality trusted data that supports sustainable growth cross-business collaboration and evolving business and regulatory needs such as ISO27001.

A core part of the role is to establish structure governance and control across the data estate while defining and driving a clear future-state approach for data storage access lifecycle management and platform usage. The role will ensure that data foundations are fit for purpose to support advanced analytics modern data platforms and scalable responsible AI adoption.

As a key contributor to our global IT strategy the Enterprise Data Governance Lead will report to the Global Head of Information Security and work closely with Information Security Infrastructure & Architecture and business stakeholders to shape and evolve the Group data landscape. The role requires a balance of strategic thinking and pragmatic execution with a focus on consolidating and standardising data storage platforms and ways of working across the business. This includes driving alignment towards a more unified approach enabling consistent access stronger controls and a more manageable and scalable data estate.

Data Strategy & Future Architecture

• Define and own the global data rationalisation and consolidation initiative aligned to modern cloudfirst principles.

• Design a targetstate data storage and governance model that is scalable secure and futureproof.

• Provide extensive expertise in modern data platforms storage technologies and industry best practices.

Data Analysis & Rationalisation

• Lead enterprisewide data discovery and analysis identifying:

  • Redundant obsolete or trivial (ROT) data

  • Data duplication and uncontrolled growth

  • Misuse of storage platforms

• Conduct structured data analysis reviews and present clear evidencebased recommendations.

• Quantify risk cost compliance exposure and opportunity associated with current data platforms.

Data Consolidation & Migration

• Produce and maintain a clear phased roadmap for:

  • Data migrations

  • Platform consolidation

  • Decommissioning of legacy or redundant storage solutions

• Support endtoend data migration initiatives ensuring minimal business disruption.

• Define success criteria and ensure migrations deliver tangible business outcomes.

Cloud Storage & Data Platforms

• Act as a subjectmatter expert across cloud storage platforms including:

  • Microsoft Purview

  • Microsoft 365 (SharePoint Teams and OneDrive)

  • Egnyte

  • Google Workspace

  • S3compatible storage (AWS and Wasabi)

  • Traditional on-premises storage (SAN and NAS platforms)

• Define clear usage models for each platform including suitability for structured data collaboration longterm retention and AI consumption.

• Work closely with Infrastructure & Architecture and Information Security teams to ensure designs are secure compliant and costeffective.

Data Governance Retention & Lifecycle

• Design and implement endtoend data retention archiving and lifecycle management policies.

• Ensure data governance frameworks support:

  • Objectives of the ISO 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS)

  • Compliance and risk reduction

  • Data classification and sensitivity controls

  • Clear ownership and accountability

  • Controlled exposure of data to AI tools and services

• Embed governance into disparate platforms and processes.

• Escalate suspected data breaches unauthorised access excessive retention inappropriate data sharing data governance failures or unsafe AI data exposure through the appropriate Information Security Privacy and Incident Management processes.

AI Enablement for Data Platforms

• Deep understanding of how AI models consume analyse and depend on data.

• Ensure data is structured governed and retained in ways that enable responsible AI usage.

• Work with appropriate stakeholders to:

  • Define which data is appropriate for AI use

  • Prevent uncontrolled or unsafe AI access to data

  • Ensure that data platforms comply with our AI guidelines and principles.

Reporting Communication & Influence

• Produce clear highquality reporting and presentations for senior stakeholders.

• Translate complex technical solutions into straightforward business advice.

• Influence decision making across IT and the business through facts data analysis and clear reasoning.

Core Experience

• Minimum 3-5 years experience in data management or related roles.

• Proven experience delivering data migration consolidation or largescale data transformation initiatives.

• Strong hands-on experience with cloud storage and data platforms.

• Demonstrated experience implementing data retention archiving and lifecycle management strategies endtoend.

• Experience producing data analysis outputs and migration roadmaps that drive real change.

Technical & Analytical Capability

• Strong understanding of data storage architectures cloud platforms and governance models.

• Proficient in data analysis tooling reporting and visualisation.

• Comfortable working with large complex datasets and extracting meaningful insights.

Strategic & Behavioural Skills

• Forwardthinking mindset designs for scale longevity and change.

• Able to operate comfortably between strategy and execution.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Pragmatic outcomefocused and comfortable challenging the status quo when needed.

• Experience working in global multiregion organisations.

• Exposure to information security compliance or data classification frameworks.

• Experience working alongside Enterprise Architecture or Information Security functions.

• Certifications:

  • CDMP Practitioner (Certified Data Management Professional)

  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals

  • Microsoft Certified: AI Business Professional.

We will review candidates on a rolling-basis and reserve the right to close the job early should we receive a high volume of applications - early application is therefore encouraged.

ABOUT MC SAATCHI GROUP

MC Saatchi Group is a creative solutions company that connects specialist expertise fuelled by data technology and culture to help clients navigate create and lead meaningful change. The Group operates across five core divisions: Connected Creativity; Passion Marketing; Global & Social Issues; Brand Experience & Innovation; and Performance Media. Headquartered in London operations span 23 countries with major hubs in the UK Europe US Middle East & Africa Asia and Australia. MC Saatchi Groups two principles Diversity of Thought and Brutal Simplicity of Thought guide how they build teams and solve problems.

MC Saatchi Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer which does not discriminate celebrates diversity and bases all hiring and promotion decisions solely on talent and capability without regard for any personal characteristics.

All employee information is kept confidential according to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

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