Data Governance Manager

Ignite Digital • Chesapeake, VA

5d

About The Position

Ignite Digital is seeking an experienced Data Governance Manager to lead and mature a Navy-aligned enterprise data governance program in the Norfolk, Virginia area. The manager will oversee a team of data governance professionals, shape governance strategy, and collaborate with senior leadership to define priorities, establish standards, and monitor compliance across mission systems. The role calls for deep data-governance expertise, leadership skills, and experience driving adoption of governance frameworks in complex federal environments.

The position leads the development, execution, and continuous improvement of the enterprise data governance program. It develops and oversees governance frameworks, policies, standards, and stewardship models, and promotes alignment on data ownership, quality expectations, metadata standards, and governance processes. The manager oversees governance operations and compliance, reports performance, risks, and maturity metrics to senior leadership, and ensures documentation of business rules, data definitions, metadata structures, lineage, and quality indicators.

The manager leads data quality issue identification and remediation, establishes KPIs and quality monitoring procedures, and supports implementation of metadata management tools, business glossaries, and enterprise data catalogs. The role also provides guidance to stakeholders, leads training and communication, and facilitates governance councils, working groups, and decision-making forums.

Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. An active DoW SECRET clearance is required.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in data governance, including leadership or managerial responsibilities.
• Expert-level knowledge of data governance frameworks, policy development, data quality management, and metadata practices.
• Proven leadership skills, including team management and project oversight.
• Strong stakeholder management capabilities across business, technical, and executive audiences.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Active DoW SECRET clearance required.
• Must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and be subject to a government security investigation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting governance in regulated or federally aligned environments.
• Additional certifications in data governance, data management, or analytics.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of the Navy’s enterprise data governance program.
• Partner with senior management to define governance priorities, objectives, and implementation roadmaps.
• Develop and oversee enterprise-wide governance frameworks, policies, standards, and stewardship models.
• Drive organizational alignment on data ownership, quality expectations, metadata standards, and governance processes.
• Manage and mentor data governance analysts and specialists; assign responsibilities, oversee performance, and ensure delivery of governance initiatives.
• Build a high-performing team culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
• Monitor compliance with data governance policies, standards, and procedures across systems and functional areas.
• Report data governance performance, risks, and maturity metrics to senior leadership.
• Oversee documentation of business rules, data definitions, metadata structures, lineage, and quality indicators.
• Ensure consistent stewardship engagement and adherence to governance workflows.
• Lead identification and remediation of data quality issues and establish KPIs and quality monitoring procedures.
• Support implementation of metadata management tools, business glossaries, and enterprise data catalogs.
• Collaborate with data owners and stewards to enforce governance standards and ensure high-quality mission data.
• Provide guidance and best practices to stakeholders, data owners, and stewards.
• Lead governance training, reinforcement, and communication campaigns.
• Support and facilitate governance councils, working groups, and decision-making forums.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits, including PTO.
• Education stipends.
• Referral bonuses.
• Compelling work with the U.S. federal government.
• Strong emphasis on volunteer and community engagement.
• Opportunity to shape the future of the industry.
• Supportive colleagues and management who invest in employee growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager