GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

The Data Governance Manager is responsible for leading and advancing VIA’s enterprise-wide Data Governance Program. This role provides strategic direction to ensure the integrity, security, and accessibility of organizational data assets. Working across departments, the Manager establishes governance policies, oversees data stewardship functions, and drives initiatives that promote regulatory compliance, data quality, and operational efficiency. The role serves as a key advisor to executive leadership on data governance matters, aligning agency-wide practices with VIA’s Data Strategy and long-term innovation goals. The Manager will also lead the implementation of data governance tools, foster a culture of data accountability, and ensure that governance practices are embedded in VIA’s business and technology ecosystems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Develop and execute VIA’s enterprise data governance roadmap in alignment with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.

Develop and enforce the creation, revision, and implementation of enterprise-wide data governance policies, including data retention, sharing, and ethical use.

Lead cross-functional governance committee to align data management practices and enforce accountability for data stewardship across the agency.

Present governance program progress, data quality trends, and compliance status to executive leadership and other stakeholders.

Operationalize and maintain VIA’s Data Governance Framework.

Lead risk assessments related to data handling, classification, and lifecycle management to proactively address data-related vulnerabilities.

Define, document, and refine data policies, standards, and procedures.

Conduct discovery across departments to identify data owners, stewards, systems, and operational pain points.

Facilitate collaboration to unify data definitions, metrics, and accountability.

Serve as the primary liaison between IT and business units regarding data use and governance.

Develop and track data quality metrics and audit protocols.

Ensure data practices align with compliance requirements such as FTA, HIPAA, and PCI.

Coordinate secure access and data sharing protocols in line with agency standards.

Collaborate with IT to assess current systems and integrate governance controls within data pipelines.

Design and manage intake workflows for data requests, approvals, and documentation.

Support implementation and adoption of metadata management and data catalog tools.

Design and deliver training programs on data governance principles, data handling best practices, and stewardship responsibilities.

Promote internal awareness of policies, platforms, and procedures.

Work with departments to document data lineage, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and governance roles.

This job description excludes marginal functions that are incidental to performing the job. Other duties may exist.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Data Management, Public Administration, or a related field and ten (10) years of experience in data governance, information management, or cross-functional data leadership roles. Experience may be substituted in lieu of education on a year for year basis up to four (4) years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience using Business Intelligence (BI) tools such as Power BI.

Certified Data Management Professional

Related data governance certifications (IGP, DGSP, etc.)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Must have experience with data governance tools, metadata repositories, and data warehousing technologies.

Must have experience using regulatory compliance frameworks (FTA, HIPAA, PCI) and public sector data requirements.

Strong facilitation and project management skills.

Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, evolving data environment.

Strong analytical, organizational, and documentation skills.

Must be able to maintain good work attendance.

Safety Accountability Statement:

- Employees must consider safety in all tasks performed, as well as demonstrate safe judgment and decisions that not only maintain their own safety; but that of fellow employees and customers.

- Demonstrate a professional commitment to assure compliance with all organizational policies, practices, and programs related to safety, health, and system security.

- Employees have a responsibility to identify and report hazards, as well as potentially unsafe conditions, to your immediate supervisor or Safety Department.

- Employees are responsible, and required, to stop a job/task to prevent an unsafe incident or act from occurring. This acknowledges the threat of potential injury, property damage and the opportunity for better judgment to be used.

Must comply with and support all applicable VIA EEO Policies and Procedures.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical ability required to be mobile, bend, stoop, stand, reach and lift objects weighing 5-25 pounds such as files, supplies, equipment and large heavy reference manuals and books.

WORK ENVIRONMENTS:

Works in normal office environment.

Requires irregular hours.

VIA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, providing equal opportunity to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, or disability.