Director, Data Governance

Description

About WPP Media

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com.

WPP Media is WPP's global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com

About Choreograph: A Leading WPP Media Brand

Choreograph is WPP's global data products and technology company. We're on a mission to transform marketing by building the fastest, most connected data platform that bridges marketing strategy to scaled activation.

We work with agencies and clients to transform the value of data by bringing together technology, data and analytics capabilities. We deliver this through the Open Media Studio, an AI-enabled media and data platform for the next era of advertising.

We're endlessly curious. Our team of thinkers, builders, creators and problem solvers are over 1,000 strong, across 20 markets around the world.

Role Summary and Impact

We are seeking an accomplished Director of Data Governance to lead the development and implementation of our data governance strategy specifically for the data platform. You will ensure data quality, compliance, and accessibility within the platform, enabling reliable and efficient data delivery to downstream consumers. You will be responsible for establishing and maintaining data governance policies, standards, and procedures, with a strong focus on Master Data Management (MDM), Data Cataloguing, and regulatory compliance, all within the context of the data platform. You will be adept at guiding cross-functional teams, particularly engineering, DevOps, Data Modelling, and visualization teams, and embedding data governance principles into scalable, impactful platform features. This role is pivotal to the success of our data initiatives, ensuring data-driven insights are reliable, secure, and compliant within the data platform ecosystem.

The Director will guide the cross functional teams in enhancing the availability, usability, and application of data within the platform, ensuring data is readily available for analytics and reporting. This experienced leader will identify and capitalize on opportunities to improve data quality and enhance data discoverability within the platform, while ensuring adherence to data governance principles. They will be responsible for maintaining strategic product direction and assisting the development team in the successful delivery of initiatives to develop scalable, reusable data transformation logic assets (SQL scripts, DBT models, metadata sets) that integrate seamlessly within the data platform, all within a robust data governance framework. Responsibilities will include;

• Data Governance Strategy & Execution: Develop, own, and execute the data governance roadmap specifically for the data platform, encompassing data quality, MDM, data cataloguing, and compliance.
• Policy & Standards: Establish and maintain data governance policies, standards, and procedures to ensure data integrity, security, and compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) within the data platform.
• MDM Implementation: Lead the implementation and management of Master Data Management (MDM) solutions to ensure consistent and accurate master data within the data platform.
• Data Cataloging: Oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive data catalog, enabling users to easily discover, understand, and access data assets within the data platform.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure data governance practices align with regulatory requirements and internal policies, and proactively identify and mitigate data-related risks within the data platform.
• Data Quality Management: Define and implement data quality metrics and processes to monitor and improve data accuracy, completeness, and consistency within the data platform.
• Collaboration & Communication (Engineering, DevOps, Data Modelling, Visualization): Collaborate closely with engineering, DevOps, Data Modelling, and visualization teams to ensure data governance principles are integrated into all aspects of the data platform development and operation.
• Data Pipeline Governance: Implement governance controls over data pipelines, ensuring data lineage, data quality, and security are maintained throughout the data flow.
• Data Product Governance: Define and enforce data governance standards for data products built on the data platform, ensuring data quality, security, and compliance.
• Innovation & Research: Use research and market awareness to identify new opportunities and drive data platform innovation, while ensuring data governance considerations are integrated into new initiatives.
• Training & Documentation: Support data platform adoption and engagement by developing effective training, documentation, and user guides, emphasizing data governance best practices.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor and analyze key data platform performance metrics to identify areas for improvement, and track the effectiveness of data governance initiatives.

Skills and Experience

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It's what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media's shared core values:

• Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity.
• Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust.
• Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise.

• Data Governance Expertise: Experience in data governance, data quality management, MDM, and data cataloging within a modern data platform environment (e.g., cloud-based data warehouses, data lakes, data pipelines).
• Data Platform Experience: Proven experience working with modern data platforms, including cloud-based data warehouses, data lakes, and data pipelines.
• Prototyping & Scaling: Demonstrated ability to prototype solutions, scale platform features, and bridge analytics with business execution, while adhering to data governance principles.
• Technical Acumen: Strong understanding of data architecture, data modeling, data integration, data warehousing concepts, and data governance frameworks (e.g., DAMA-DMBOK).
• Technical Skills (Preferred): Experience with MDM and data cataloging tools, data modeling tools, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), and data transformation tools (e.g., dbt).
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, DevOps, data modeling, and visualization teams.
• Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Ability to identify opportunities, address challenges, and optimize data platform performance using strong problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and consideration of data governance implications.
• Communication & Influence: Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence decisions and work effectively in team-oriented environments.
• Compliance & Security: Strong understanding of data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and their impact on data governance practices.
• Digital Advertising Knowledge (Bonus): Expertise in campaign planning, budgeting, targeting, and optimization techniques is a plus, but not required.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we're just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location

Please read our Privacy Notice ( for more information on how we process the information you provide.

While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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