Data Governance Specialist

Position: Data Governance Specialist Company: Ford Motor Company Location: Ford Rotunda Center – Dearborn, MI (Hybrid: 4 days onsite/week) Duration: 1 year contract with potential extensions Start Date: November 10, 2025 Pay Rate: • Pay Rate: Up to $57.01/hr W2 • W2 only Position Overview: Our client is seeking a Data Governance Specialist to lead internal data acquisition projects and manage third-party vendor relationships. This role blends program management, contract negotiation, and data governance responsibilities. You’ll work closely with internal stakeholders, legal, and purchasing teams to ensure data assets are acquired, governed, and reused effectively across the organization. Day-to-Day Responsibilities: • Lead third-party data discovery and acquisition efforts • Engage internal customers to gather requirements and assess data needs • Negotiate vendor contracts and review terms & conditions • Collaborate with Legal and Purchasing on statements of work and agreements • Advocate for reuse of acquired data across internal teams • Align data acquisition strategies with organizational goals • Establish and maintain program management standards for third-party data enablement • Manage relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors • Resolve issues, mitigate risks, and ensure smooth coordination across teams Must-Have Requirements: • Bachelor’s Degree • 5+ years of experience in program or project management • Strong vendor management and contract negotiation experience • Experience engaging internal customers and gathering requirements • Familiarity with legal and purchasing processes related to data agreements • Experience leading projects within data analytics environments Nice-to-Have Requirements: • Strong communication and interpersonal skills • Experience working with Legal and Purchasing departments • Knowledge of data governance and data engineering • Experience using Jira for program management • Familiarity with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) • Rally experience is a plus