Data Governance

One of our client int the government domain is looking for a Data Governance SME. Senior Data Governance Subject Matter Expert (SME) Location: Columbus, OH (This is hybrid, with an expectation of 3 days in-office) Job Summary The Sr Data Governance Subject Matter Expert (SME) supports the Chief Data Officer (CDO) in executing the organization’s Data Governance and Management strategy. This role bridges business needs and technical implementation to ensure that data governance structures, processes, and education initiatives are effectively deployed across the agency. The SME brings experience in data architecture, stakeholder engagement, and public-sector consulting to operationalize the CDO’s vision. Role Description • Support the CDO in executing first-year Data Governance setup activities, including policy rollout, stakeholder engagement, and operational planning. • Lead the development and execution of Statements of Work (SOWs) aligned with the CDO’s strategic roadmap. • Design and implement operational components of the Data Governance framework, including data classification, cataloging, stewardship models, and data lifecycle management. • Develop and deliver education and onboarding sessions for data owners, custodians, stewards, and users to improve data literacy and clarify roles. • Collaborate with the CDO to define and document governance roles, responsibilities, and escalation paths. • Provide technical and process guidance to ensure compliance with State of Ohio policies, including IT-19 Data Governance and IT-13 Data Classification. • Advise executive stakeholders on governance best practices and change management strategies to support cultural adoption of data accountability. • Assist in identifying and documenting data-related risks, opportunities, and improvement areas to support strategic planning. • Support the evaluation and implementation of technologies and tools that enhance data governance and analytics capabilities. • Support identification and prioritization of data analytics use cases aligned with agency goals and governance maturity. Job Duties and Responsibilities • Support the CDO in reporting progress to executive leadership and refining the governance roadmap based on lessons learned. • Translate strategic goals into actionable implementation plans and deliverables. • Conduct stakeholder interviews and surveys to assess current data practices and identify governance maturity gaps. • Develop and maintain a governance playbook, including SOPs, data classification schemas, and data cataloging guidelines. • Coordinate with IT, legal, procurement, and business units to integrate governance processes into daily operations. • Monitor and report progress of governance initiatives, providing updates and recommendations to the CDO and Data Governance Committee. • Facilitate workshops and training sessions to promote data accountability and stewardship. • Support review of data-related procurements, technology assessments, and compliance audits. Mandatory Skills • Strong understanding of data governance frameworks (e.g., DAMA-DMBOK) and their application in public-sector environments. • Experience supporting executive leadership in strategic data initiatives. • Excellent facilitation and communication skills with the ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences. • Familiarity with state-level IT policies and compliance requirements, particularly IT-19 and IT-13. • Demonstrated ability to design and implement scalable governance processes and tools. • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and process improvement skills. • Experience with metadata management, data quality, and data cataloging tools is a plus. Preferred Education • 4-year college degree in Computer Science or a related field with advanced study preferred. Certifications in data governance, project management, or enterprise architecture are a plus.