Data Governance Specialist

Salary: £48,000 - £55,000 per annum

Employment type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37

Reporting into: Enterprise Data Architect

Department: IT

Click here to read the full job description and view our excellent benefits here

This role operates primarily on a remote working arrangement that will require little to no travel into our various UK sites. Our working model arrangements are a non-contractual benefit so please note that an Arden work location is added to our employment contracts.

About Arden University:

We are an aspirational and multi-award-winning university, delivering rapid growth with ambitious plans to disrupt the HE sector through our passion for innovation and digital education. Our vision is to become the first-choice university for career-focused lifelong learners worldwide, ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access higher education, by leading the thoughtful integration of AI into teaching and learning and equipping our students to thrive in an AI-enabled world.

There has never been a more exciting time to join Arden University, as we expand into new disciplines, forge worldwide partnerships, and expand our locations.

About our Department:

The Data Governance Specialist sits within our Technology Department that is crucial to making sure our employees and students can work effectively, deliver projects, find the right solutions and ensure we develop the technology that will make the biggest difference.

Our IT team is made up of around 65 employees with a vast range of skills from Software Development to IT Operations and Security.

Our IT Department values employee development and we have lots of great examples of employee progression and promotions within the team.

About the Opportunity:

Data is one of Arden University's most valuable assets, and we're looking for a Data Governance Specialist to help ensure it's trusted, secure and ready to power the future of our organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in embedding a strong data governance culture across the University. You'll lead the implementation of governance capabilities, helping to improve data quality, metadata management and lineage, while ensuring colleagues can confidently access and use reliable information to support better decision-making.

Working closely with teams across Technology, Data Protection and Information Security, you'll help ensure our data is managed responsibly, meets regulatory requirements and provides the strong foundations needed to support innovation. As we continue to embrace AI across our teaching, learning and business operations, you'll also play an important role in establishing the governance and controls that enable the safe, ethical and effective use of data.

You'll lead and develop a team of Data Quality Analysts, driving continuous improvements in data quality, supporting Data Owners and Data Stewards, and championing best practice across the organisation.

About You:

If you're passionate about data governance, enjoy leading people, and want to make a real impact in a university that's investing in digital transformation and AI, we'd love to hear from you.

Essential requirements:

• Significant experience in data governance, data management or a related discipline, with a proven track record of implementing governance frameworks.

• Experience implementing and administering data governance platforms, such as Microsoft Purview.

• Strong understanding of data quality management, metadata management and governance best practice.

• Knowledge of Master Data Management and governance principles.

• Excellent understanding of GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, the EU AI Act and emerging AI governance requirements.

• Experience using process mapping tools (such as Lucid) to document and improve business processes.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and provide practical recommendations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and explain complex concepts clearly.

• Proven ability to build effective relationships and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Experience leading, developing and motivating teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.

• A good understanding of the wider regulatory, compliance and governance landscape relevant to higher education and data management.

Why Arden:

At Arden, you will become a part of a passionate and dedicated team who are committed to removing unnecessary barriers to learning and making education more accessible. Our people work hard to ensure our students journeys are the best they can possibly be, as such we want to reward our people with fantastic benefits. Employees benefit from:

• 30 days holiday + bank holidays on-top, and even a Christmas closure!

• A generous Aviva pension plan, company contributions starting from 7%

• BUPA Cash Plan

• Private Medical Insurance coverage (applies to certain job roles)

• Access to Perkbox benefits

• Study any Arden course for free, with a discount for all family and friends

• Plus, other excellent benefits

• Our ‘Golden Ticket’ which allows you to gift anyone in your life a free Arden education
  

Our Values:

Stand out, Progressive, Accessible, Resourceful, Kindness, reflect who we are as an institution, a team and as individuals. If they also reflect you and you are excited by the chance to be the driving, creative force within a growing business, we want to hear from you.

There has never been a more exciting time to join Arden University, as we expand into new disciplines and locations.

Closing Date: 13th October

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date should we receive sufficient applications or in order to respond to business needs. In order to avoid missing an opportunity to apply please submit your application as early as possible.

If you are a current Arden student or have an upcoming course with us, you are not eligible to apply for Student Experience roles due to a conflict of interest related to system access.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion:

Arden University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. This means that if you have a disability, as defined by the Disability Equality Act 2010, you may be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.

If you wish to be considered under this scheme, you can indicate via the application form below. By doing so, you are also consenting for this information to be shared with the hiring team. For more details on what qualifies as a disability under the Disability Equality Act 2010, please refer to the guidance here.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Therefore, we make sure that our recruitment and selection processes never discriminate based upon people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances, and actively welcome applications from all groups.

Sponsorship statement:

Please be aware that some roles may not meet the points requirement for a sponsored Skilled Worker visa, or fulfil the criteria we have for providing sponsorship. However we welcome applications from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK but may be eligible for a visa through an alternative route.