Data Governance Lead

Who is Trace3 ? Trace3 is a leading Transformative IT Authority, providing unique technology solutions and consulting services to our clients. Equipped with elite engineering and dynamic innovation, we empower IT executives and their organizations to achieve competitive advantage through a process of Integrate, Automate, Innovate. Our culture at Trace3 embodies the spirit of a startup with the advantage of a scalable business. Employees can grow their career and have fun while doing it! Trace3 is headquartered in Irvine, California. We employ more than 1,200 people all over the United States. Our major field office locations include Denver, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, Lexington, Los Angeles, Louisville, Texas, San Francisco. Ready to discover the possibilities that live in technology? Come Join Us! Street-Smart - Thriving in Dynamic Times We are flexible and resilient in a fast-changing environment. We continuously innovate and drive constructive change while keeping a focus on the “big picture.” We exercise sound business judgment in making high-quality decisions in a timely and cost-effective manner. We are highly creative and can dig deep within ourselves to find positive solutions to different problems. Juice - The “Stuff” it takes to be a Needle Mover We get things done and drive results. We lead without a title, empowering others through a can-do attitude. We look forward to the goal, mentally mapping out every checkpoint on the pathway to success, and visualizing what the final destination looks and feels like. Teamwork - Humble, Hungry and Smart We are humble individuals who understand how our job impacts the company's mission. We treat others with respect, admit mistakes, give credit where it’s due and demonstrate transparency. We “bring the weather” by exhibiting positive leadership and solution-focused thinking. We hug people in their trials, struggles, and failures – not just their success. We appreciate the individuality of the people around us. JOB SUMMARY: As the Data Governance Lead, you will play a pivotal role in developing and rolling out an enterprise-wide Data Governance Framework, while tightly partnering with Legal, Privacy, Security , and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) teams. You will also work closely with the Data Team to define, approve, and implement governance policies and standards. Your focus will be on embedding governance practices into data lifecycle management, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a culture of data accountability. SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Enterprise Data Governance Framework & Rollout Design, implement, and lead the rollout of a pragmatic, scalable, and adaptable enterprise Data Governance Framework. Develop supporting policy and standards architecture (e.g., data classification, metadata management, data access and usage policies). Embed governance by design into data pipelines, platforms, and data product development. Policy Definition & Enforcement Lead the creation, approval, and adoption of data policies in close collaboration with Legal, Privacy, Security, GRC, and the Data Team. Ensure alignment of governance policies with regulatory and contractual requirements (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, internal risk policies). Develop control frameworks to assess compliance and maturity across data domains. Data Quality & Stewardship Establish enterprise-wide data quality standards, metrics, and processes for issue detection and remediation. Empower domain-aligned data stewards and owners by providing guidance, training, and governance tools. Champion accountability and ownership of key data elements across the organization. Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate with business unit leaders, product managers, and engineers to operationalize governance policies across systems and workflows. Drive adoption of governance principles across federated data teams through forums, working groups, and training. Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management Clearly articulate the business value and regulatory importance of data governance to technical and non-technical stakeholders. Support change management initiatives to increase understanding, adoption, and integration of governance practices into daily operations. Lead the Data Governance Council and Data Steward Forums to sustain engagement and drive accountability. Tooling & Metrics Recommend and support the implementation of data governance tooling (e.g., catalog, lineage, glossary, policy manager) in partnership with the Data Team. Define and track KPIs to assess framework rollout progress, data quality trends, and policy adoption. REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Management Information Systems (MIS), Software Development, or a related technical field. 5 to 8 years of experience in data governance or enterprise data management roles. Deep expertise in designing and implementing data governance frameworks, policies, and standards. Strong cross-functional leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to drive alignment across Legal, Privacy, Security, GRC, and Data teams. Proven ability to communicate complex governance concepts to varied audiences and influence adoption. Familiarity with data governance tools (e.g., Collibra, Alation, Informatica) and modern data platforms. Must have big x or boutique consulting experience PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience leading data governance initiatives in a federated or hub-and-spoke data organization. Knowledge of regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and AI governance standards. DCAM, CDMP, or equivalent data governance certification is a plus. EDUCATION: Bachelors with 8+ or Master with 5+ Years of Experience LOCATION: Remote in Colorado LENGTH OF PROJECT: Minimum 6 months SALARY RANGE: $125 Per Hour to $150 Per Hour PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: Remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time. Operate a computer, keyboard, and other office equipment using hands and fingers. Communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and through electronic means. Occasionally move about the office to access files, office equipment, and meeting spaces. Lift and/or move up to 15 pounds as needed. Maintain specific vision abilities, including close vision and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT: This position is performed within a secure, classified workspace . Employees must comply with all applicable security protocols and access control procedures, including restrictions on personal electronic devices and the handling of sensitive information. Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors, including location, experience, skill set, performance, licensure and certification, and business needs. The range for this position in other geographic locations may differ. Certain positions may also be eligible for variable incentive compensation, such as bonuses or commissions, that is not included in the base salary. Estimated Pay Range $125 — $150 USD The Perks Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans for you and your dependents 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match, 529 College Savings Plan, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability Competitive Compensation Training and development programs Major offices stocked with snacks and beverages Collaborative and cool culture Work-life balance and generous paid time off Our Commitment At the core of Trace3's DNA is our people. We are a diverse group of talented individuals who understand the importance of teamwork and demonstrating leadership, character, and passion in all that we do. We’re committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to grow. We recognize that embracing diversity drives innovation, improves outcomes, fosters collaboration, boosts teammate satisfaction, and builds a more inclusive culture. As an equal opportunity employer, Trace3 bases all employment decisions based on individual qualifications, merit, and business requirements. We do not engage in discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Any demographic information provided is strictly voluntary, kept confidential in accordance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations, and will not be used in employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, or mentorship programs. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process or participate in an interview, please email recruiting@trace3.com . ***To all recruitment agencies: Trace3 does not accept unsolicited agency resumes/CVs. Please do not forward resumes/CVs to our careers email addresses, Trace3 employees or any other company location. Trace3 is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/CVs.