- We are seeking a highly collaborative and visionary Data Governance Functional Engagement Lead to drive stakeholder engagement and adoption of modern data governance practices aligned with our transition to a data product operating model.
- This role will lead a team of Engagement Specialists, ensuring that data governance capabilities are adopted consistently across the organization and that enterprise data becomes Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR).
- The successful candidate will play a key role in connecting business domains, regional teams, and the central data governance function helping to embed governance into the fabric of data product lifecycle management and data ownership.
How you will contribute
Stakeholder Partnership & Engagement
- Build strong partnerships with key stakeholders across business functions, MDS (data custodians), and analytics teams to foster data ownership and accountability.
Facilitate workshops, design sessions, and working groups to co-create governance approaches that fit diverse organizational contexts.
- Act as the central liaison between the enterprise data governance function and regional/function-level data product teams.
- Proactively lead the collaboration with diverse stakeholders in Mdlz driving definition and operationalization of Data governance approach considering function and region priorities
- Promote compliance, security for functional data governance teams
- Develop and lead execution a strategic engagement plan to support the adoption of data governance practices tailored to a data product approach.
Leadership of Engagement Specialists
- Lead and mentor a team of Data Governance Engagement Specialists, providing direction, coaching, and performance management.
- Coordinate the teams activities across regions and functions to ensure consistency in messaging, delivery, and governance capability enablement.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning within the engagement team.
- Own and evolve Engagement Methodology, translating central governance approach into value-driven actionable roadmaps and practical guides for across Mdlz based on strategic priorities.
Fostering community and collaboration by integrating feedback from regional and functional teams and preventing functional silos
-Facilitate end-to-end Data Governance onboarding process involving required Data Governance experts
Data Product Enablement & FAIR Principles
- Ensure that governance practices enhance data product usability, interoperability, and value realization promoting FAIR data principles
Governance Process Coordination
- Align regional and functional governance practices with enterprise-wide policies, frameworks, and technology platforms
- Contribute to the evolution of governance frameworks
- Define, align, measure and report Data Governance engagement KPIs and progress and Data Governance maturity, surface implementation risks
- Continuous improvement for engagement process to ensure successful rollout of governance capabilities.
What you will bring
- bachelors degree in Data Management, Information Systems, Business, or a related field (masters preferred).
- 8+ years of experience in data governance, data product management, or enterprise data programs.
- 3+ years of people management experience, preferably in a matrixed or global environment.
- Proven ability to drive adoption of governance practices in complex, federated organizations.
- Strong understanding of FAIR data principles and experience applying them
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication, and facilitation skills.
- Demonstrated success in change management and enablement in a data-centric transformation.
- Familiarity with tools such as Collibra, Alation, Informatica, or similar governance platforms.
Preferred Attributes
- Experience working in a data product driven environment, preferably in large global enterprises.
Consultancy experience
- Working knowledge of data cataloging, data quality, metadata, and access management practices.
- Industry certifications such as DCAM, CDMP, or equivalent are a plus.
- Experience across multiple business domains or geographies is advantageous.
