Data Governance and Quality Specialist

Equitable•Waterloo, ON

2d•CA$90,000 - CA$105,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At Equitable, we believe work should be a place where you feel supported, inspired, and empowered to grow. In our caring and collaborative environment, your curiosity is encouraged, your passion is recognized, and your contributions truly matter. Together, we create meaningful impact, for our clients, our communities, and each other. The Opportunity: At Equitable, we believe great things happen when we work together. We’re a Canadian mutual company driven by purpose - putting people first and helping Canadians protect today and prepare for tomorrow. If you’re passionate about making a difference and growing your career in an inclusive and collaborative environment, we’d love to hear from you. Our culture is built on care, passion and curiosity. We put people above all else, strive to be our best and welcome new ideas to deliver positive outcomes. Are you passionate about building trusted, high-quality data? Join our Enterprise Data Insights & Impact team as a Data Governance & Quality Specialist. Reporting to the Head of Data Governance & Quality, you will help design and implement enterprise-wide governance and quality practices that improve data transparency, access, and risk management. You’ll collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to embed these capabilities into day-to-day operations and support the delivery of our Enterprise Data Strategy, driving meaningful insights and client-focused impact. Join one of the region’s top employers and be part of something that truly makes a difference.

Requirements

5+ years of experience across Data Governance, Data Quality, Master Data Management (MDM), data/business analysis, and data-focused initiatives.
Proven experience establishing, implementing, or supporting enterprise Data Governance, Data Quality, and/or MDM frameworks, processes, and tools.
Strong experience with SQL and relational database concepts, including data extraction, manipulation, and data modeling; advanced Excel skills for analysis.
Hands-on experience with Microsoft Power Platform (Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate) to build scalable solutions supporting data governance and quality capabilities.
Experience with data governance and data management tools, metadata management, and data lineage concepts; familiarity with enterprise data platforms (e.g., Azure) is an asset.
Working knowledge of programming languages (e.g., Python, PySpark, Java, or C#) is an asset.
Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to influence, collaborate, and drive alignment across cross-functional teams.
Proven ability to work in complex environments, manage competing priorities, and adapt to changing business needs while maintaining focus on key outcomes.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, business-friendly language.
Strong analytical mindset with advanced problem-solving skills and attention to detail; commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Experience bridging business and technical teams, translating requirements into actionable data solutions.
Experience in Insurance or Financial Services is an asset, including familiarity with industry data models, business processes, and core systems (e.g., policy administration, claims).
Relevant data certifications and post-secondary education (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with enterprise data platforms (e.g., Azure) is an asset.
Working knowledge of programming languages (e.g., Python, PySpark, Java, or C#) is an asset.
Experience in Insurance or Financial Services is an asset, including familiarity with industry data models, business processes, and core systems (e.g., policy administration, claims).

Responsibilities

Support the implementation and continuous improvement of enterprise-wide Data Governance, Data Quality, and Master Data Management (MDM) frameworks, processes, and tools.
Partner with business and technology stakeholders to define, implement, and embed data governance practices, including data access, data sharing, issue and change management, and decision-making frameworks.
Contribute to the deployment and operationalization of Data Quality management processes, including defining rules, monitoring controls, and managing remediation activities—particularly across key master data domains (e.g., Client, Advisor).
Advise on and support Metadata Management activities, including business glossary development, data cataloging, and data lineage documentation aligned with enterprise data platform initiatives.
Participate in cross-functional data initiatives, including enterprise data platform programs, to ensure governance and quality controls are integrated into data delivery for reporting, analytics, and digital use cases.
Collaborate with Privacy, Risk, Legal, and Compliance teams to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and data protection standards.
Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across the organization to drive adoption and maturity of data governance and quality practices.
Develop and deliver communications, training materials, and enablement sessions to promote data literacy and increase awareness of data governance frameworks and tools.
Define, track, and report on KPIs and metrics to measure the effectiveness of data governance and data quality programs; develop dashboards (e.g., Power BI) to support data-driven decision-making.
Identify opportunities for process optimization and tool enhancements within the data governance and quality ecosystem, driving continuous improvement.
Create and maintain documentation and data artifacts to support governance processes, data standards, and operational procedures.
Identify and escalate potential data-related risks, ensuring alignment with operational risk management practices and controls