Job description

Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid – 3 days onsite)

We are seeking a Senior Data Governance Program Lead (Associate Manager) to lead a high-visibility enterprise data governance engagement for a large-scale SaaS client. This role sits squarely at the intersection of strategy, operating model design, and execution.

You will act as a trusted advisor and proxy for the enterprise data governance sponsor, responsible for translating governance strategy into an operating reality. You will drive cross-functional alignment, secure VP-level decisions, and ensure consistent adoption of governance standards across multiple business units.

This role is well-suited for a senior consultant who combines strong executive presence with hands-on program leadership and thrives in complex, matrixed client environments.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the program sponsor proxy, driving execution, decision-making, and accountability across four client departments
• Translate enterprise data governance strategy into a scalable operating model, including forums, cadences, roles, and decision rights
• Lead stakeholder onboarding and change adoption, ensuring consistent use of governance processes, templates, and standards
• Facilitate and secure VP-level alignment and sign-off on critical data objects, metrics, ownership models, and change control
• Own the integrated program plan, milestones, and executive dashboards; proactively manage risks, dependencies, and escalations
• Lead cross-functional working sessions and executive readouts with clarity, structure, and confidence
• Define success metrics and reporting to demonstrate governance adoption, data quality improvement, and business impact
• Partner with Product and Engineering leaders to prioritize enabling capabilities such as data catalogs, metadata management, approval workflows, and data quality monitoring
• Align intake, triage, SLAs, and post-launch measurement to enterprise delivery standards
• Balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution across concurrent workstreams in a fast-paced environment
• Identify opportunities to streamline governance through automation and improved reporting
• Coach and mentor junior consultants on structured delivery, stakeholder management, and consulting best practices