Head of Data and Project Governance, Grade 7, Perm, Liverpool / Newport

Job summary

Job purpose:

As Head of Data and Project Governance, you will provide strategic leadership, direction and assurance for the Commission’s Data Governance, Records Management and Project Governance functions.

You will be responsible for establishing and maintaining the governance frameworks, standards, policies and controls that ensure the effective management of information, data and project delivery across the organisation. You will act as the organisation’s senior lead for Data Governance and Records Management, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, regulatory requirements and recognised government best practice. You will also lead the Project Governance function, providing oversight of project controls, reporting, assurance, planning and governance arrangements to support successful delivery of the Commission’s portfolio of change initiatives.

The role promotes a culture of accountability, transparency and continuous improvement, ensuring that data, information assets and projects are managed effectively throughout their lifecycle. You will work closely with senior leaders, programme and project teams and key stakeholders to drive organisational maturity in both data and project governance disciplines.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Lead and develop the Commission’s Data Governance, Records Management and Project Governance functions.
• Set strategic direction and ensure governance frameworks align with wider organisational objectives.
• Provide expert advice and assurance to senior leadership on governance, risk, compliance and organisational maturity.
• Support the Commission’s artificial intelligence ambitions through the development of effective policy instruments and governance structures that optimise organisation value whilst managing risk exposure
• Lead, manage and develop the Data Governance and Project Governance teams, ensuring effective workforce planning, capability development and performance management.

Data Governance and Records Management:

• Define, implement and continuously improve the organisation’s Data Governance Strategy, policies, frameworks and standards.
• Ensure effective governance of data throughout the data lifecycle, including quality, standards, metadata, master data, ownership, retention, accessibility and ethical use.
• Maintain oversight of Data and Information Assets, supporting Data Owners and Information Asset Owners in meeting their responsibilities and managing associated risks.
• Lead organisational data maturity improvements and promote a culture of data literacy and responsible data management.
• Ensure appropriate governance arrangements are in place to ensure the ethical use of data and the management of data risks, compliance, privacy and information assurance requirements.

Project Governance:

• Establish and maintain organisation-wide project governance standards, methodologies, controls and reporting frameworks.
• Provide leadership and oversight of the Project Management Office (PMO), ensuring effective governance arrangements across the change portfolio.
• Ensure appropriate project assurance, review and control mechanisms are implemented throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee portfolio reporting, project performance monitoring, planning and governance processes to provide senior leaders with reliable information for decision-making.
• Promote best practice in project management and governance, ensuring lessons learned, standards and methodologies are embedded consistently.
• Ensure robust arrangements exist for managing risks, issues, dependencies, change control and benefits realisation across projects and programmes.
• Support business case development and provide assurance that projects are aligned with organisational priorities and strategic objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement and Governance:

• Build effective relationships with senior leaders, operational teams, Information Asset Owners, project delivery professionals and external stakeholders.
• Influence and support strategic decision-making through the provision of governance insights, reporting and assurance.
• Chair or support governance forums and provide expert advice on governance, compliance, risk and assurance matters.
• Represent the Commission internally and externally on matters relating to Data Governance, Records Management and Project Governance.

Person specification

Essential criteria

Ability:

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and create a high-performing culture.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, capable of engaging credibly with senior leaders and technical specialists.
• Ability to develop and implement organisational strategies, policies and governance frameworks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability with the ability to make decisions based on complex and sometimes incomplete information.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, risk and change in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrable ability to build collaborative relationships, influence decision-making and drive organisational improvement.

Experience:

• Experience leading Data Governance, Information Governance, Records Management or Data Management functions.
• Experience establishing and maintaining governance frameworks, standards, policies, compliance and assurance processes.
• Experience managing organisational data risks and compliance requirements.
• Experience leading governance, assurance, reporting or PMO functions across projects or change portfolios.
• Experience providing advice and assurance to senior stakeholders, boards or governance bodies.
• Experience leading and developing professional teams and managing organisational change.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives and embedding best practice across an organisation.

Technical:

• Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) or equivalent Data Governance qualification.
• Expert knowledge of Data Governance frameworks, standards, information management and data lifecycle principles.
• Strong understanding of information risk management, compliance, records management and data quality practices.
• Understanding of project governance, project controls, assurance, portfolio reporting, risk management and governance frameworks.
• Knowledge of governance methodologies, assurance reviews, performance reporting and organisational controls.
• Understanding of data ethics, privacy, information legislation and regulatory obligations.
• Ability to interpret and apply governance best practice, standards and frameworks in a complex environment.

Qualifications

Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) or equivalent Data Governance qualification.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,245, Charity Commission contributes £16,583 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Se