FreeHire

internationalschools

Data Governance and MDM Manager

Show

Job Description

Purpose of the role

The Data Governance and MDM Manager will lead the development and implementation of the organisation's Master Data Management (MDM) and Data Governance capabilities, ensuring critical organisational data is trusted, well-managed and fit for purpose.

The role will act as the primary conduit between business stakeholders and technical delivery teams, translating business needs into practical data solutions and communicating complex technical concepts in a way that supports effective decision-making.

Working across technology, data, architecture and business functions, the role will define and implement an appropriate MDM operating model, establish governance processes and support the delivery of trusted master data domains across the organisation. The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement and hands-on delivery experience to help shape the organisation’s long-term data foundations.

Reports to: Group Head of Delivery & Portfolio

Key Responsibilities

Data Governance

  • Develop and embed a pragmatic Data Governance Framework.
  • Establish data ownership, stewardship and accountability models.
  • Define and maintain data standards, policies, principles and governance processes.
  • Facilitate Data Governance forums and support decision-making across business and technology functions.
  • Maintain critical business definitions, metadata and governance artefacts.
  • Support governance of organisational KPIs and reporting metrics.

Master Data Management Strategy and Delivery

  • Define and maintain the organisations Master Data Management strategy, roadmap and operating model.
  • Lead the assessment and selection of appropriate MDM approaches, patterns and technologies.
  • Facilitate workshops with business and technical stakeholders to elicit and document master data requirements.
  • Define and maintain master data domains, hierarchies, matching rules, survivorship rules and golden record approaches.
  • Partner with Architecture, Data Engineering, and Insight teams to design and implement MDM capabilities.
  • Evaluate platform-native capabilities and dedicated MDM solutions, providing recommendations based on organisational requirements.
  • Support implementation of MDM capabilities within modern cloud data platforms and analytics environments.
  • Ensure master data solutions remain aligned to organisational priorities and future business needs.

Data Quality & Stewardship

  • Establish data quality standards, controls and monitoring processes.
  • Identify and resolve root causes of data quality issues.
  • Work with business stakeholders to improve data stewardship and accountability.
  • Develop metrics and reporting to monitor data quality performance and adoption of governance practices.
  • Support ongoing management of master data and data quality improvement initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

  • Act as the primary bridge between business stakeholders, senior leadership and technical delivery teams.
  • Translate business requirements into technical solutions and technical concepts into business language.
  • Support executive decision-making by presenting options, trade-offs, risks and recommendations.
  • Build strong relationships across business, technology and data communities.
  • Drive understanding and adoption of governance and MDM practices throughout the organisation.
  • Provide coaching and guidance to data owners, stewards and project teams.

Continuous Improvement

  • Identify opportunities to improve data management capabilities, processes and operating models.
  • Stay current with industry best practices and emerging trends in MDM, Data Governance and Data Management.
  • Contribute to broader data strategy, architecture and transformation initiatives.

Skills

Essential

  • Strong understanding of Master Data Management principles, methodologies and implementation approaches.

  • Experience defining and implementing MDM operating models and governance frameworks.

  • Ability to facilitate workshops and requirements gathering sessions with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

  • Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.

  • Ability to communicate effectively with executive, business and technical audiences.

  • Experience translating business requirements into technical solutions.

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

  • Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.

  • Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous and evolving environments.

Desirable

  • Experience implementing MDM capabilities within modern cloud data platforms.

  • Understanding of data architecture, integration patterns and data engineering principles.

  • Experience with identity resolution, matching algorithms and golden record management.

  • Experience with data cataloguing, metadata management and data quality tooling.

  • Knowledge of education, multi-site or international operating environments.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

  • Proven experience delivering Data Governance capabilities and/or Master Data Management.

  • Experience contributing to the selection, design or implementation of MDM solutions.

  • Experience working across business and technical teams to define and deliver data management capabilities.

  • Demonstrable experience influencing senior stakeholders and facilitating decision-making.

  • Experience operating within complex transformation or data programmes.

  • Experience with MDM technologies and tooling.

Desirable

  • Experience with modern cloud platforms such as Databricks, Snowflake, Azure or AWS.

  • DAMA CDMP, DCAM or equivalent Data Management certification.

  • Experience supporting enterprise-wide data transformation initiatives.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding

and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.