Data Governance Specialist

Vanguard•Malvern, PA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly collaborative and strategic Data Governance professional to drive the adoption of investment data usage standards and strengthen data controls across the investment domain. The Data Governance Specialist role focuses on embedding data controls within modern, cloud-based data platforms, ensuring data products align with investment data usage policies, and enabling consistent, trusted use of data. The individual will partner closely with technology and enterprise governance teams to assess the current state of IT data controls, influence control design, identify risks, and implement scalable, forward-looking solutions. A key aspect of the role includes advancing the development of Trusted Sources and enhancing the overall quality, reliability, and governance of investment data. This role requires strong technology acumen, including familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS), modern data architectures, and emerging AI/analytics capabilities, to effectively integrate governance into evolving ecosystems. Success in this role also demands a growth mindset, strong stakeholder engagement, and the ability to balance governance rigor with business agility in a dynamic, technology-driven environment.

Requirements

Strong experience with AWS and cloud-native data platforms, including distributed architectures (APIs, S3, data lakes/warehouses).
Deep understanding of access control models, data security principles, and cloud governance frameworks to design and enforce data controls.
Experience leveraging analytics platforms and Data Consumption tools, with working knowledge of AI/ML use cases and their implications on data governance and controls.
Strong stakeholder engagement and leadership skills to translate business needs into secure, scalable technical solutions and drive adoption.
Undergraduate degree, or an equivalent combination of training and experience required.
Demonstrated experience and expertise within the data governance discipline, data quality, data management, or data architecture.
Exceptional client relationship, leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Proven ability to effectively communicate with external providers, internal business clients, and crew members at all levels.
Excellent judgment and ability to analyze issues quickly and independently to take appropriate action.
Excellent, demonstrated problem identification, analysis, and resolution skills.
Strong knowledge and skills using current versions of the Microsoft Office Suite.
Detail oriented with a high level of energy.
Proven self -starter with ability to work independently and within teams.
Must be able to understand and communicate both business and technical issues with team, senior management, and system support.
Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate others.
Ability to interact successfully and build strong working relationships with various internal and external groups on a daily basis.
Ability to lead initiatives to desired conclusion.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with investment data, investment data operations & systems is preferred.
Master's degree preferred.
Minimum seven years general experience with progressively responsible work experience including successfully managing project(s) from beginning to end strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads the formation and maintenance of the data governance policies and processes needed to strongly govern all investment data. Communicates changes in investment data governance policies and oversees investment data consumers adherence to all data governance policies.
Leads the formation of effective partnerships with internal specialists to identify, create, and implement new solutions to advance the investment data governance program and business objectives. Presents proposed solutions to the Data Management leadership team and appropriate audiences within FFS, IMG, and the enterprise.
Influences the engagement of investment data consumers as needed to successfully promote the adherence of investment data governance policies.
Partners with Data Management Partnership Services and IT to develop and manage data domain architecture. Ensures that data can easily be stored, retrieved, and controlled for various organizational uses.
Develops data domain strategies and independently leads initiatives within investment data governance.
Acts as an escalation point for Data Governance Analysts who are executing complex systematic and manual efforts.
Analyzes data quality and data governance operational metrics and develops, proposes, and executes process improvement efforts to optimize operations and prevent future issues.
Performs analysis and identifies industry trends impacting investment data governance. Educates relevant team members and data consumers and ensures that changes are well integrated into the team's operations. Maintains an understanding of the intersection of technology solutions and data governance. Analyzes and communicates the impacts that emerging technologies will have on data governance policies and processes.
Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.
Promote cross-functional collaboration to ensure data usage controls are effectively embedded within evolving system architectures and data workflows.
Partner with IT and Enterprise Data Governance teams to influence control design, ensuring alignment with established data usage governance standards.
Evaluate enterprise data controls and collaborate with technology and business stakeholders to drive awareness, alignment, and adherence.
Lead the development and ongoing enhancement of Trusted Sources within the Investment domain.
Proactively identify data control gaps and risks, and work with stakeholders to design and implement effective, sustainable solutions.