Data Governance Lead

Job Description

Circa £60,000 (dependent on skills & experience)

Permanent / 37 hours per week / Full-time (with flexibility for part-time working)

Huntingdon, Lincoln or Peterborough – Hybrid

Are you passionate about turning data into a trusted, high-value asset? At Anglian Water, we’re looking for a Data Governance Lead to play a pivotal role in shaping how data is governed, protected and unlocked across our organisation.

This is a high-impact specialist role within a small, expert data governance team, where you’ll act as the technical authority for data governance and management. You’ll lead the design, implementation and continuous evolution of enterprise-wide data governance strategies, drawing on external best practice in a fast-moving data landscape.

Reporting to the Enterprise Data Governance Manager, you’ll own the development of governance approaches for key business areas, creating and enforcing data policies, standards and stewardship models that deliver real business value. You’ll work at the heart of major programmes and projects, partnering with senior leaders, accountable data owners, process owners and data stewards to drive improvements in data quality, compliance and usability.

A trusted advisor, you’ll influence at senior levels and help build capability across the organisation. This includes shaping and delivering engaging education and training (working closely with People Development), and supporting other technical roles to embed strong data ownership and stewardship practices.

You’ll bring deep expertise in data governance and data lifecycle management, with strong experience in advanced and automated data quality profiling, analysis and remediation. You’ll be confident navigating complex regulatory environments, with a solid understanding of legal and compliance frameworks such as GDPR and NIS.

Beyond Anglian Water, you’ll represent the organisation externally — coordinating data sharing and open data products with Government bodies, regulators (including the Environment Agency and DWI), supply chain partners and industry peers. This will require strong judgement, clarity in defining complex data requirements, and the ability to balance stakeholder needs with governance and compliance expectations.

If you’re excited by the challenge of shaping enterprise data governance, influencing at scale and helping unlock the full value of data in a purpose-driven organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing

• Designing, implementing and continuously improving data governance frameworks across multiple business and data domains

• Translating enterprise data policies into practical standards, guidance and processes that work for the business

• Embedding data ownership, stewardship and accountability across the data lifecycle

• Leading improvements in data quality, including defining metrics, monitoring performance and resolving issues at source

• Supporting the rollout and effective use of data governance tools such as data catalogues, metadata management and lineage tracking

• Partnering with business leaders, data owners, stewards, architects and data product teams to ensure data is trusted, compliant and fit for purpose

• Acting as a trusted advisor and first point of contact for data governance across assigned business areas

• Building data capability through training, awareness sessions and data literacy initiatives

• Coordinating open data and external data products, ensuring clear standards, ownership and regulatory compliance

• Supporting compliance with data regulations including GDPR and environmental data standards

• Driving continuous improvement through maturity assessments, insight-led reporting and sharing best practice

What does it take to be a Data Governance Lead?

• Degree or equivalent experience in Data Management, Information Systems, or related field

• Extensive experience in the development and execution of enterprise data strategy

• Substantial experience and expertise in data governance, data management data quality roles

• Ability to influence key stakeholders at all levels

• Deep expertise in designing and developing data governance practices across complex organisations

• Ability to make strategic decisions and balance priorities in an agile and flexible way

• Lead the development of successful business cases for the improvement of business data

• Owning and evidencing of benefits realisation from data improvements

• Experience in data governance or data quality roles

• Familiarity with SFIA Level 4 capabilities

• Experience in change management frameworks and ideally ADKAR

• Extensive experience and understanding of data management and governance tools

What’s in it for you?

• Private healthcare and physiotherapy

• 24-hour Virtual GP service for you and your household

• 26 days annual leave (rising with service)

• Competitive pension scheme – Anglian Water double-matches your contributions up to 6% (up to 18% combined)

• Bonus scheme

• Flexible benefits and working culture

• Life Assurance (8× salary) and Personal Accident cover

• Enhanced family leave policies

• Great discounts and perks

Why apply?

Shape how data is trusted, governed and used across Anglian Water, making a real impact in a purpose-driven organisation. You’ll work at enterprise scale as a recognised data governance expert, influencing senior stakeholders and helping unlock the full value of data for customers, communities and the environment.

Closing date: 27 January 2026

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