Data Governance & Management Specialist

Position: Data Governance & Management Specialist
Level: Department Manager
Work location: Bangkok

Job Purpose
As our first dedicated Data Governance & Management Specialist, you will spearhead the establishment of our data governance framework shaping policies, standards, and best practices from the ground up. This position offers a unique greenfield opportunity to influence how the organization manages and derives value from data, beginning with SAP master data, non-SAP ERP and expanding into other systems and global business applications.

Roles & Responsibilities
Data Governance Strategy & Framework
- Develop and implement a comprehensive data governance strategy, including policies and procedures for data classification, security, quality, sharing, availability, retention, and publishing.
- Collaborate with the Head of Data Governance and key stakeholders (Legal, Compliance, Data Owners) to ensure alignment with industry regulations (e.g., GDPR, PDPA) and corporate standards.
- Continuously refine and improve the data governance roadmap based on organizational needs and emerging best practices.

Master Data Management & Stewardship
- Define master data management architecture, models, schemas, and business rules for critical data domains (e.g., vendor, product, customer).
- Coordinate with external vendors and internal teams to oversee master data maintenance, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and reliability.
- Drive master data cleanup initiatives and MDM projects, focusing initially on SAP data before rolling out to other systems and applications.

Data Architecture & Quality
- Provide high-level input on data architecture design, ensuring that governance principles (e.g., data rationalization, data cleansing) are incorporated.
- Establish data quality standards and collaborate with Data Stewards and business units to implement ongoing data quality monitoring.
- Partner with Data Architects to ensure alignment between data models and governance policies.

Technology & Vendor Management
- Identify and recommend data governance solutions (e.g., Collibra, Alation) and MDM tools that align with organizational needs.
- Manage relationships with third-party vendors and consultants responsible for implementing or configuring data governance and MDM solutions.
- Evaluate and oversee the performance of these tools and services, ensuring they meet agreed-upon service levels (SLAs).

Regulatory Compliance & Security
- Collaborate closely with the Legal/Compliance Team to ensure all governance initiatives adhere to data privacy regulations (GDPR, PDPA, PII protection).
- Develop and enforce policies around data access, usage, and lifecycle management to maintain compliance and mitigate risk.
- Act as a subject matter expert for data privacy considerations within the organization.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Advocacy
- Work closely with Data Stewards, Data Owners, and business stakeholders (e.g., Procurement, Finance, Supply Chain) to drive adoption of data governance best practices.
- Facilitate data governance council or working group meetings, providing updates on progress, challenges, and recommendations.
- Champion a data-driven culture by conducting training sessions and mentoring business users on data governance principles and their benefits.

Measurement & Continuous Improvement
- Define and track key metrics (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of data governance initiatives, such as reduction in data duplication or improvements in data quality.
- Prepare regular reports for senior leadership on data governance progress, successes, and areas for improvement.
- Stay up-to-date with emerging trends, regulations, and technologies in data governance and incorporate relevant insights into the organizations practices.

Qualifications

Education
- Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
- Relevant certifications in data governance or data management (e.g., SAP MDG, Informatica, DAMA CDMP, Collibra) are preferred but not mandatory.

Experience
- Minimum of 8 years in data governance, data management, or related roles.
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing data governance frameworks, policies, or MDM programs.
- Familiarity with SAP master data, SAP MDG, and broader MDM processes is preferred, with the ability to oversee external providers handling technical implementations.
- Knowledge of data privacy regulations (GDPR, PDPA) and proven experience ensuring compliance within an organization.

Skills & Competencies
- Data Governance Frameworks: Expertise in industry-standard frameworks (e.g., DAMA, DCAM).
- Data Quality Management: Ability to define and enforce data quality metrics and processes.
- Data Architecture Basics: Working knowledge of data architecture concepts, with a focus on governance best practices.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to influence stakeholders, lead workshops, and facilitate change.
- Regulatory Understanding: Familiarity with data security, privacy laws, and best practices for handling sensitive data.
- Analytical & Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze complex data issues and propose effective governance strategies.
- Project Management: Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and external vendors, with strong organizational and planning skills.
- Leadership & Mentoring: Willingness to mentor other data professionals and champion data governance across the business.