How to Be Data Governance Manager - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Mar 21, 2022 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Data Governance Manager is an important role in the organization that serves to ensure the safe and secure use of an organization's data. This is done by establishing and maintaining effective policies and processes around the acquisition, storage, use, and disposal of all data within the organization. As a result, Data Governance Managers ensure that data is only used in an ethical and responsible manner, reducing the risk of legal and regulatory actions against the organization, protecting the organization from security breaches, and enabling better decision-making by providing data that is accurate, reliable, and up to date. Other important related entities include data owners, data stewards, and Data Governance Framework.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelors Degree. A bachelors degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field is typically the minimum educational requirement for Data Governance Manager positions.
Obtain Relevant Work Experience. Gaining experience in data management and analytics is essential for becoming a successful Data Governance Manager. Consider working in roles with hands-on experience with data governance and analytics such as Data Analyst or Database Administrator.
Earn Certifications. Consider earning certifications to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in data governance and analytics. Popular certifications include Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP).
Develop Expertise in Data Governance:As a Data Governance Manager, it is important to have a solid understanding of data governance principles and practices. Consider taking courses in data governance, data security, and data compliance.
Network. Networking is a key component of becoming a Data Governance Manager. Make sure to attend industry events and connect with other professionals to build relationships and learn more about the field.
Stay Up-to-Date on Trends and Best Practices. As a Data Governance Manager, it is important to stay up-to-date on trends and best practices in the field. Consider subscribing to industry publications and newsletters, attending conferences, and taking online courses to stay informed.

In order to remain competent and ahead in the field of data governance, it is essential to continuously develop and hone one's skillset. This includes regularly reading industry publications, attending webinars and conferences, and engaging in online forums to stay current on the latest trends in data governance. developing a strong understanding of the various technologies used in data governance is key for success.

Finally, networking with other professionals in the field is an invaluable way to increase knowledge, build relationships, and stay ahead of the competition. By taking the time to keep up with industry best practices, network with professionals, and understand the technology being used, a data governance manager can be sure they are staying competent and ahead of the curve.

You may want to check Data Migration Specialist, Data Solutions Architect, and Data Steward for alternative.

Job Description

Develop, implement and maintain data governance policies, standards, procedures and processes to ensure the quality and integrity of the organizations data.
Monitor data governance activities and provide guidance in areas such as data stewardship and data ownership.
Establish data governance structures and roles, including Data Governance Councils, Data Stewards and Data Owners.
Facilitate the development of data-centric solutions that comply with the organizations data governance requirements.
Develop, maintain and monitor metrics for measuring data governance effectiveness.
Work with stakeholders to ensure that data governance policies, standards and procedures are adhered to by all departments.
Identify and address data governance issues, such as data duplication, data inconsistency and data quality.
Monitor changes in the external environment that could impact the organizations data governance practices.
Provide guidance and support in addressing data privacy regulations, such as GDPR.
Foster a culture of data management within the organization.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Leadership and Strategic Planning: Ability to develop, implement and manage strategic plans for data governance.
Data Management and Analysis: Ability to develop and implement data governance policies, standards, and procedures.
Communication and Influencing: Ability to communicate data governance objectives to stakeholders, and ability to negotiate and influence outcomes.
Risk Management: Ability to identify, assess, classify, and manage data governance risks.
Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of data governance frameworks, technology, and tools.
Project Management: Ability to plan and manage data governance projects.
Change Management: Ability to initiate, lead, and manage change initiatives related to data governance.
Decision-Making: Ability to make sound decisions based on data analysis and insights.
Problem-Solving: Ability to identify and solve complex data governance issues.
Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of laws, regulations, and industry standards related to data governance.

Data Governance Managers are responsible for ensuring the security, accuracy, and availability of data within an organization. They are tasked with creating a data governance framework to ensure that data is managed and used responsibly. To effectively manage a data governance program, there are certain skills a Data Governance Manager should possess.

The most important skill is the ability to communicate effectively. This includes the ability to communicate with all stakeholders, build trust and relationships, and ensure the data governance program is understood by all. Data Governance Managers must have technical knowledge of data management systems, such as databases and software.

They should also have an understanding of data privacy and security laws, such as GDPR and HIPAA, to ensure compliance in their program. Having excellent problem-solving skills is essential for a Data Governance Manager, as they must be able to quickly and accurately address any issues that arise. Finally, excellent organizational skills are necessary for a Data Governance Manager to ensure that data is managed effectively and efficiently.

With these skills, a Data Governance Manager can create a successful data governance program for any organization.

Data Science Consultant, Data Modeler, and Data Integration Specialist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in developing data governance plans?
How do you ensure data security and accuracy?
What techniques do you use to manage and monitor data access?
What strategies have you employed to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and policies?
How have you been successful in developing data governance protocols?
Describe a project you have undertaken to improve data quality.
What challenges have you faced while integrating new data sources?
How do you keep up with the changing landscape of data regulations?
What methods do you use to stay on top of emerging technologies related to data governance?
How would you interact with stakeholders to ensure that data governance requirements are met?

Common Tools in Industry

Data Quality Tools. These tools help to ensure that data is accurate, consistent, complete, and up-to-date. Examples: Informatica Data Quality, SAS Data Quality.
Data Profiling Tools. These tools are used to analyze data and identify patterns and relationships. Examples: Talend Data Profiling, Oracle Data Profiler.
Metadata Management Tools. These tools capture and store metadata about the structure and content of data. Examples: Informatica Metadata Manager, Oracle Metadata Management.
Data Integration Tools. These tools are used to move and transform data from one system to another. Examples: Talend Data Integration, SAP Data Services.
Data Visualization Tools. These tools are used to generate visual representations of data. Examples: Tableau, QlikView.
Data Governance Tools. These tools help organizations create, manage, and enforce policies and standards for data usage and quality. Examples: Collibra Data Governance Center, Informatica Data Governance Edition.

Professional Organizations to Know

Data Governance Institute (DGI)
Data Management Association (DAMA)
International Association for Information and Data Quality (IAIDQ)
Open Data Institute (ODI)
International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
Information Architecture Institute (IAI)
Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM)
AIIM (Association for Information and Image Management)
The Data Warehouse Institute (TDWI)
IEEE Computer Society

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Common Important Terms

Data Governance. The overall management of the availability, usability, integrity, and security of data used in an organization.
Data Stewardship. The practice of creating and maintaining a set of rules, policies, and processes that ensure the quality and accuracy of data.
Data Quality. The process of ensuring that data meets certain standards of accuracy, completeness, consistency, and integrity.
Data Security. Measures taken to protect data from unauthorized access or manipulation.
Data Privacy. The legal and ethical framework for the collection and use of personal data.
Metadata Management. The process of organizing and maintaining data about a particular dataset or data source.
Data Modeling. The process of creating a logical representation of data in order to better understand it and develop analytics and applications.
Business Intelligence. The use of analytics and data visualization to gain insights from data and inform decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Data Governance Manager?

A Data Governance Manager is a professional responsible for ensuring that data within an organization is managed, maintained, and used in compliance with legal and ethical standards.

What responsibilities does a Data Governance Manager have?

A Data Governance Manager is responsible for setting up policies and procedures to manage data access, data quality, data security, and data privacy within an organization. They also oversee the data governance process, including developing roles and responsibilities, establishing processes and tools, and monitoring progress.

How many people typically report to a Data Governance Manager?

The number of people reporting to a Data Governance Manager can vary depending on the size of the organization. Generally, a team of data-related professionals such as analysts, engineers, and administrators are responsible to the Data Governance Manager.

What systems does a Data Governance Manager need to be familiar with?

A Data Governance Manager needs to be familiar with databases, data warehousing, data integration, and data visualization systems in order to effectively manage data. Additionally, knowledge of the organization's business processes and systems is essential for successful data governance.

What are the benefits of having a Data Governance Manager?

Having a Data Governance Manager ensures that an organization's data is managed, maintained, and used in compliance with legal and ethical standards. This can lead to improved data quality, reduced risk of data breaches and misuse, and greater efficiency in decision-making.