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 The Senior Data Governance associate (Senior IT Architect I) plays a pivotal role in operationalizing and maturing Nielsen's Data & Analytics Governance program. This role requires a proven data professional with a strong blend of strategic thinking, technical proficiency, and exceptional stakeholder management skills. The Senior Associate will drive the implementation of data governance policies, lead initiatives to enhance data quality and compliance, and guide teams towards a robust, value-driven data ecosystem. 

Strategic & Program Leadership:

• Strategic Thinking: Develop and refine data governance frameworks that align with overall organizational goals and support a data-driven culture.

• Prioritization: Independently analyze, assess impact, and prioritize data governance initiatives (e.g., using urgency and impact analysis) to maximize business value and align with strategic direction.

• Guidance & Mentorship: Guide and support other data governance and data management teams in implementing best practices and resolving complex data-related challenges.

• Program Development: Proactively identify opportunities for new governance policies, standards, and guidelines based on evolving organizational demands and regulatory changes.

• Value-Driven Approach: Champion a value-driven approach, ensuring all data governance efforts directly contribute to measurable business outcomes and support organizational objectives.

Stakeholder & Communication Management:

• Advanced Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain very strong relationships with senior leadership, diverse cross-functional teams, and external vendors to understand their requirements, balance competing interests, and secure buy-in for data governance initiatives.

• Expert Communication & Negotiation: Lead clear and effective communication strategies for explaining complex data policies, standards, and technical requirements. Employ strong negotiation skills to achieve consensus among varied stakeholders.

• Empathy & Influence: Understand the nuanced needs and concerns of different departments and users, influencing behavior and driving adoption of governance practices.

• Responsibility Coordination: Provide clarity in distinguishing data governance team duties from respective business and IT team responsibilities.

Data Governance Implementation & Technical Expertise:

• Framework Implementation: Leverage hands-on experience to lead the implementation and maintenance of comprehensive data governance frameworks within massive datasets.

• Data Quality Rules: Frame, implement, and monitor data quality rules across the data pipeline, including a deep understanding of issues like data duplications, and guide remediation efforts.

• Data Lineage & Mapping: Lead efforts in establishing robust data lineage and mapping capabilities, ensuring end-to-end data visibility and traceability.

• Tool Analysis & Optimization: Possess expertise in evaluating, comparing, and optimizing various data governance and management tools (e.g., Alation, Collibra, in-house tools) to select and implement the most suitable solutions.

• Technical Proficiency: Strong knowledge of databases, data warehouses, data lakes, and modern data management tools, including understanding of CI/CD pipelines as they relate to data governance automation and deployment.

• Data Analysis: Ability to conduct in-depth analysis of data quality issues, identify root causes, and guide teams in implementing sustainable solutions.

• Data Classification & Sensitivity: Expert understanding and practical experience in classifying and governing various types of data (e.g., PII, Sensitive, Proprietary, Public).

• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep familiarity with global data protection laws and regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, DPDP Act) and their practical implementation in data governance.

• Training & Literacy: Lead the creation and delivery of comprehensive training programs to enhance data literacy and foster a data-aware culture.

• Operational Excellence: Guide data governance and management teams towards operational excellence in data-related activities.

Measurement (key indicators this role would be responsible for)

• Program Maturity Advancement: Contribution to improvements in the organization's data governance maturity level (e.g., moving from 'Defined' to 'Managed' or 'Optimized').

• KPI Development & Tracking: Responsibility for defining and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) that demonstrate the business value and impact of data governance initiatives (e.g., reduction in data quality incidents, improvement in data compliance scores, efficiency gains from governed data processes).

• Stakeholder Satisfaction: Measured by formal or informal feedback from key business and IT stakeholders regarding data governance effectiveness and collaboration.

• Policy Adherence Rates: Tracking the percentage of compliance with established data governance policies.

• Project Completion: On-time and within-budget completion of assigned data governance projects and initiatives.

• Risk Mitigation Impact: Contribution to quantifiable reductions in data-related risks (e.g., fewer privacy breaches, improved audit outcomes).

• Team Player: Demonstrates curiosity, collaboration, inclusivity, proactiveness, accountability, and commitment in all engagements.

• Values: Embodies organizational values (Open, Connected, Useful, Personal) in all aspects of the role.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Management, Data Science, or a related technical field. Master's degree preferred.

• Significant experience in regulated industries (e.g., finance, healthcare, media) is a plus.

• Relevant advanced certifications (e.g., Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) - Practitioner/Mastery, Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), Certified Data Governance Professional (CDGP)) are highly desirable.

• Fluency in English is mandatory.

Experience (preferred or required technical, functional and/or leadership experience)

• Typically 8-10 years of progressive experience in data management, data governance, or a closely related field, with a proven track record of successfully implementing and leading data & analytics governance programs.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, influence senior stakeholders, and navigate complex organizational structures.

• Expertise in managing organizational change related to technology adoption and implementing change management strategies to ensure smooth transitions and user buy-in.

• Extensive experience with data & analytics governance tools and technologies, including hands-on experience with leading platforms like Collibra or Alation.

• High levels of energy, conscientiousness, rapport building, resiliency, inventiveness, and curiosity.

• Experience in optimizing CI/CD pipelines for data-related processes or governance automation.

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