Head of Data Governance

Head of Data Governance

About the Role

The Head of Data Governance leads Baillie Gifford’s firmwide Data Governance function, defining, implementing, and embedding the firm’s data governance framework, standards, and control expectations.

This senior leadership role provides oversight on data ownership, stewardship, definitions, metadata, lineage, data quality, controls, decision rights, privacy, retention, and ethical use. It ensures adherence to governance standards, while business areas remain accountable for executing data controls.

The role reports to the Head of Data, sits on the Data Services Leadership Group and Data Strategy Group, and chairs the Data Governance Group.

The key objective is to establish a clear, practical, and effective framework for how data is owned, defined, controlled, protected, and used across the firm. By setting standards, fostering adoption, and providing independent challenge, it strengthens data governance maturity while identifying risks, control gaps, or ownership issues.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the firmwide Data Governance framework, including policies, standards, principles, roles, accountabilities, decision rights, mandatory controls, and escalation routes.
• Define the target operating model for data governance, including federated ownership through data owners, stewards, and subject matter experts.
• Establish expectations for data ownership, stewardship, definitions, metadata, lineage, data quality, privacy, retention, ethical use, and control evidence.
• Provide independent oversight and challenge on adherence to governance standards (including AI data use), ensuring business areas effectively discharge data ownership and control responsibilities.
• Own the Data Governance Control Framework, including control objectives, assurance expectations, data quality measures, KPIs, and KRIs.
• Chair the Data Governance Group, delivering clear, insight-led reporting to the Data Strategy Group, Data Services Leadership Group, and other senior forums.
• Translate complex governance, regulatory, and control topics into business-relevant insights, risks, client impact, and decision points.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders in:
  • Technology
  • Data Architecture
  • Data Management
  • Risk
  • Compliance
  • Legal
  • Information Security
  • (in addition to data owners and stewards)
• Develop and lead a data governance community, championing accountability, data literacy, consistent language, and adoption of standards.
• Embed data governance into change activity, ensuring initiatives consider data requirements early.
• Provide advice and challenge on:
  • Data governance and risk implications of AI and advanced analytics
  • Major change and transformation initiatives
  • Platform upgrades and supplier arrangements
• Lead, coach, and develop Data Governance team members, driving continuous improvement and measurable uplift in governance maturity.