Data Governance SME

Job Description – Data Governance SME (Alation) Role: Data Governance SME – Alation Location: Houston, TX (Hybrid – 3 days onsite per week, mandatory) Type: Contract (Urgent submission) Job Summary We are looking for a Data Governance Subject Matter Expert with hands-on experience in the Alation Data Governance platform. The candidate must be comfortable working directly with business and technical stakeholders and supporting enterprise-level data governance initiatives. Onsite presence in Houston is non-negotiable. Key Responsibilities • Lead and support Data Governance implementation using Alation • Configure and manage: • Data Catalog • Data Stewardship workflows • Data policies, standards, and glossary • Metadata management and lineage • Work with data owners, stewards, and IT teams to: • Define governance processes • Ensure data quality, compliance, and consistency • Support integration of Alation with: • Databases, data warehouses, BI tools, and cloud platforms • Drive adoption of governance best practices across business units • Assist in audits, reporting, and compliance initiatives • Provide documentation, training, and governance operating models Required Skills & Experience • Strong hands-on experience with Alation Data Governance / Data Catalog • Solid understanding of: • Data Governance frameworks • Metadata management • Data quality and stewardship • Experience working in enterprise data environments • Ability to work onsite and collaborate with cross-functional teams • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills Preferred / Nice to Have • Experience in regulated or large enterprise environments • Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) • Prior consulting or client-facing experience • Knowledge of data privacy and compliance standards