Data Governance Lead

About this role:

We are looking for an experienced, solutions driven candidate to play a key role in driving forward some our most impactful and exciting data initiatives.

Compelling opportunity within an energetic, fast paced, and collaborative Group Data team with real influence to drive innovation and set best practice across a truly global organization.

• Full time, Hybrid/Remote
• Ideally this candidate will be located in San Diego, CA, Chicago, IL, Atlanta, GA, but we will consider remote candidates in the US.

DUAL is a different kind of underwriting business. That’s not just something we like to say – our unique entrepreneurial spirit is fundamental to our approach and make us a natural home for the brightest minds. It’s how we have become one of the world’s largest international MGA, operating in 21 countries and providing over 70 products. Our stated vision to be the world’s best underwriting business. Fundamental to this vision is having market leading data capabilities.

DUAL Group are seeking an experienced Data Governance Lead who can proactively work with key business stakeholders, regional data teams, and IT to evolve our data platforms & processes to achieve our commercial objectives. The individual will have extensive experience in Data Governance & Quality best practices.

The role sits within the DUAL Group Data team, a lean central team of experts acting as a centre of excellence, setting standing standards, providing guidance and support to the regional DUAL data teams.

The individual will work on the design and implementation of practical data governance solutions to support the development of DUAL Group’s analytical capability. The role will identify opportunities and make recommendations to maintain high standards of data quality throughout DUAL Group. They will implement and enhance wider data management competencies, including data quality, metadata management, RDM/MDM and data modelling. Through pragmatic application of best-practice data governance frameworks, they will play a key role in the ongoing development of DUAL Group’s data strategy and standards, optimizing the value our of data assets through their life cycle.

Role responsibilities:

• Key member of the team, responsible for owning & defining DUAL Group’s data governance framework.
• Provide leadership and SME knowledge to the global DUAL data governance community.
• Support technical teams and other stakeholders in the implementation of DUAL Group‘s data governance framework, and implementing effective processes to ensure compliance.
• Establish and govern enterprise data governance guiding principles, policies, strategy, and implementation roadmap..
• Consult with regional data governance teams including data owners and stewards to avoid divergence from agreed data governance standards.
• Work with regional SME’s to develop regional data policies, standards and rules and give the guidance needed to safeguard DUAL Group’s data assets.
• Work as part of the Howden & DUAL Group data teams to monitor how data policies and standards are applied and complied with and recommend the necessary actions as needed.
• Closely support and communicate regularly with key stakeholders to build consensus, providing evidence for key decisions.
• Act as a conduit between Howden Group Data and the DUAL Regions to facilitate the sharing of common approaches, adherence to standards, and advocating on behalf DUAL.
• Define metrics to monitor progress and measure success. Produce regular reporting and analysis of key metrics, trends and thematic issues.
• Develop and maintain inventory of the enterprise critical data elements, data dictionaries, data owners and their responsibilities.
• Help drive success of future investments in Data within DUAL, including clear articulation of return on investment (ROI) and ongoing assessment of realization attainment.
• Work within a strategic context and communicate how activities meet strategic goals and contribute the development of DUAL Group's data strategy and policies.
• Build knowledge and expertise of DUAL Group’s data governance with other data team members.
• Support data literacy training and development by enabling data consumers to understand what they can and cannot do with data.
• Work collaboratively with key business stakeholders across DUAL Group including, but not limited to, Underwriting, Actuarial, Finance & Risk to develop data governance & quality frameworks that deliver strong commercial benefits to the business.

Key requirements:

• Demonstrable track record implementing and maintaining data governance principles in a complex and multi-regional business environment.
• Strong understanding and experience in data governance & data quality best practice.
• In-depth knowledge of current data governance theory, standard methodologies (such as up to data CDMP certification), and the practical considerations.
• Have an awareness of emerging trends in areas such as data ethics, AI, and an understanding of a changing data landscape.
• Given the international nature of the role, possessing experience of data governance practices across a range of geographies (especially UK, USA, Europe, and Australia), is an advantage.
• Understand the impact of emerging trends in data tooling, analysis techniques, AI and data usage.
• Be able to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders, support discussions within a multi-disciplinary team, with potentially difficult dynamics.
• Be an advocate for the team externally, managing differing perspectives.
• Proven track record in Data Governance and supporting the business to gain practical benefits from developing its governance frameworks and data competencies.
• 2 to 3 years’ experience gained in an insurance MGA or carrier environment, a distinct advantage
• Some experience with data Lakehouse platforms, data integration, MI, and data analysis.
• Good understanding of data operations.
• Has a commercial awareness and stays up to date with current issues affecting the industry and its technologies.
• Proactively sharing best practice with others across the organization.
• A strong team player who is confident in their ability.
• Proactively sharing best practice with others across the organization.
• Actively listens to the views of colleagues, but also has the strength of character to challenge where required.
• Planning, organizing, and managing skills, and ability to prioritize.
• Ability to work quickly, efficiently, and methodically.
• Broad knowledge and understanding of insurance principles, regulations, products, and services.
• Self-starter, with a passion and ability for learning new skills and technologies.

What do we offer in return?

Yes, we offer all the usual rewards and benefits - including great healthcare provision, a wide variety of wellbeing offers, competitive salary, generous pensions and more - but we know you expect all that.

What you might not expect is a job where everyone has a voice, where volunteering in the community is part of the day job, and where everyone is encouraged to play a part towards our sustainability goals. We want people who want to make a difference - not just in the workplace, but in the industry and in the wider community.

Our culture: People First

Our core values dictate how we live and work. We are a group with independence and people at its heart and we are a home for talent with a unique culture: the biggest small company in the world.

The focus on being a People First business has always been at the very heart of the Group; our vision was to create an independent business with a unique culture and one that would survive and thrive as a business controlled by the people working for it. And finding the most talented and entrepreneurial people to join the Group has been and will continue to be key.

Diversity & Inclusion

At DUAL we consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness and respect, regardless of their age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or family circumstances.