Data Governance Director

EMC Insurance Companies

3d•Remote

About The Position

The Data Governance Director leads EMC’s enterprise Data Governance program and is accountable for its strategy, operating model, capabilities, technical direction, and organizational adoption. The role aims to improve the value, quality, protection, accessibility, and responsible use of enterprise data. It partners with senior business, technology, analytics, risk, compliance, and Digital Product Management leaders to integrate governance into enterprise priorities, strengthen data ownership and accountability, and deliver measurable business and risk-management outcomes. The position is eligible to work from home anywhere in the United States, with preference for candidates living in the Des Moines, Iowa metro area. Working hours must align with the Central Time Zone. The director sets enterprise governance direction, oversees execution and delivery, develops policies and controls, builds cross-functional alignment, and leads and develops the Data Governance team.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, information management, computer science, analytics, finance, insurance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
Ten years of progressively responsible experience in data governance, information management, business analytics, data management, or related disciplines.
Five or more years of leadership experience managing teams, enterprise programs, or cross-functional initiatives.
Expert knowledge of data governance frameworks, operating models, policies, and standards.
Advanced knowledge of data management practices, including metadata, data quality, stewardship, and master and reference data management.
Strong knowledge of property and casualty insurance operations, business processes, products, and data domains.
Knowledge of data-related regulatory requirements, privacy principles, information protection, and emerging industry trends.
Strong knowledge of data governance technologies and their application to enterprise data management.
Advanced strategic planning, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Ability to translate enterprise strategy into actionable governance roadmaps and operating models.
Ability to lead organizational change and drive adoption of governance practices.
Ability to influence senior leaders, align cross-functional stakeholders, and resolve competing priorities.
Superior verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex governance and technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Nice To Haves

Property and casualty insurance industry experience.
Experience working within Agile product delivery environments and partnering with Digital Product Management organizations.

Responsibilities

Define the enterprise Data Governance strategy, roadmap, and operating model in alignment with business and technology strategies and enterprise priorities.
Establish strategic direction and capability expectations for data stewardship, business metadata management, data quality management, master and reference data management, governance operations, and governance technology platforms.
Align investment and capability priorities with business objectives, regulatory and risk-management needs, and enterprise data and technology strategies.
Direct execution of the Data Governance strategy through portfolio planning, prioritization, resource alignment, and management of internal and external delivery resources.
Oversee governance programs, initiatives, consulting partners, contractors, and third-party service providers to ensure delivery aligns with approved objectives, commitments, and enterprise priorities.
Establish outcome, adoption, quality, and capability-maturity measures; monitor performance; manage enterprise-level risks, issues, and dependencies; and initiate corrective action when delivery does not meet expectations.
Build consensus across competing interests and align senior leaders around governance objectives, operating model changes, and accountability expectations.
Partner with business, technology, and product management leaders to clarify decision rights, establish shared ownership, and integrate governance requirements into enterprise initiatives.
Exercise decision authority for Data Governance-led initiatives and facilitate resolution or escalation of material conflicts, exceptions, and decisions requiring broader enterprise alignment or authority.
Lead the development, enterprise approval, implementation, and continuous improvement of data governance policies, standards, controls, and frameworks in partnership with business and functional leaders.
Champion data ownership and accountability and lead organizational change to address systemic barriers, strengthen program maturity, and sustain enterprise adoption.
Lead and develop the Data Governance team through workforce planning, performance expectations, coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
Establish team objectives and ways of working aligned with strategic priorities, promote accountability and continuous improvement, and build the skills and capacity needed to deliver and sustain the enterprise program.