Voor een klant  zijn we op zoek naar een Senior Data Governance & Transformation Consultant

The Opportunity
We are seeking a Senior Data Governance & Transformation Consultant to join our Data Transformation team on a project basis. This role will work directly alongside the Head of Data Transformation, serving as a trusted advisor and hands-on practitioner to consolidate existing data governance initiatives and drive measurable business value.
The organization is transitioning from siloed, distributed data teams to a centralized model (with plans for future federation). With a data organization of 250+ people including data engineers, BI analysts, data architects, and external partners, significant groundwork has been laid including governance structures, target operating model concepts, and various initiatives. However, these exist as disconnected puzzle pieces. The organization needs an experienced consultant who can assess what exists, consolidate the good elements, identify and fill gaps, and make the system operational and effective.
 
Key Responsibilities
 
Assessment, Consolidation & Integration

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment and validation of existing data governance work, frameworks, processes, and initiatives already underway
• Identify which elements are strong and valuable ("good puzzle pieces") versus what needs improvement or replacement
• Synthesize and integrate disconnected initiatives into a coherent, functioning system
• Identify critical gaps in the current approach and develop pragmatic solutions to address them
• Help translate the target operating model (TOM) and governance structures from concept into operational reality
• Ensure processes, tools, and ways of working align and function together effectively

 
 
Data Governance Framework Activation

• Provide expert guidance in evolving and refining the organization's data governance framework based on what already exists
• Actively participate in building out the framework, working collaboratively with the team rather than imposing external models
• Help make the existing framework practical and operational rather than theoretical
• Support the recently appointed Data Governance Officer in activating governance capabilities
• Facilitate the adoption of governance processes and tools (including data catalogue) in day-to-day operations
• Build on the already-defined governance structures (roles, responsibilities, RACI models) to ensure they function effectively in practice

 
Use Case Strategy & Business Case Development

• Support the identification and prioritization of high-value use cases that demonstrate governance benefits, and if required participate in their execution
• Develop compelling business cases for priority use cases to secure budget approval from management
• Ensure use cases are selected strategically to show quick wins while addressing fundamental data challenges
• Create clear ROI frameworks and success metrics for governance initiatives

 
Use Case Definition & Execution
Lead the definition and implementation of foundational use cases, including:

1. Employee data rationalization - identify critical data elements and establish quality rules
2. 2 Product data use cases 1 related to master data management, and the challenge related to master data vs. derived data management - address the challenge of managing master data versus calculated/derived data and establish clear principles and processes (use case specifics yet to be defined)

 
Coaching & Capability Building

• Provide hands-on coaching to the Head of Data Transformation on data governance best practices and implementation approaches
• Coach team leads and members on how to embed governance into their team's ways of working
• Build capability across data team members through knowledge transfer, practical guidance, and mentoring
• Support the development of data governance competencies throughout the data organization
• Navigate organizational change challenges, including resistance to the new TOM and its ambitions (particularly around centralization of functions and competencies)
• Facilitate forums and community-based working approaches to drive data ownership and accountability

 
Stakeholder Management & Communication

• Demonstrate tangible value and progress to the management team through clear metrics, success stories, and business case outcomes
• Support budget justification for continued data transformation investments through compelling evidence and storytelling
• Help prioritize initiatives in an environment where multiple stakeholders have competing needs
• Address resistance to centralization and the new target operating model through transparent communication and demonstrated value
• Bridge communication between business and IT stakeholders

 
Required Qualifications
 
Essential Experience

• 10+ years of experience in data management, data governance, or data transformation roles
• Proven track record of operationalizing data governance in complex, matrixed organizations
• Strong experience in assessing fragmented initiatives and consolidating them into coherent, functioning systems
• Demonstrated ability to work with existing organizational frameworks and make them practical rather than imposing new models
• Experience developing business cases and securing budget approval for data initiatives
• Experience working in international organizations with distributed teams
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills with ability to identify patterns and connections across disconnected work streams

 
Technical Knowledge

• Deep understanding of data governance frameworks (DAMA-DMBOK, DCAM, or similar) with ability to adapt them pragmatically
• Familiarity with data architecture concepts, data modeling, and integration patterns
• Understanding of master data management principles and the challenges of managing derived/calculated data
• Experience with modern data platforms, tools, and technologies
• Experience with change management in data transformation contexts

 
Managerial & Leadership Skills

• Demonstrated ability to coach and develop both leaders and team members across various levels
• Experience influencing without direct authority in complex organizational structures
• Strong facilitation and workshop leadership skills
• Ability to navigate organizational politics, competing priorities, and resistance to change
• Experience managing stakeholder resistance to centralization and organizational restructuring

 
Personal Attributes

• Pragmatic, action-oriented approach - able to work with "good enough" and improve iteratively
• Comfortable with complexity and able to create clarity from fragmented situations
• Excellent synthesis and pattern recognition skills - can see connections others miss
• Hands-on mentality with willingness to "roll up sleeves" and work collaboratively
• Cultural sensitivity for working in a family-owned, European-headquartered organization
• Diplomatic and persuasive when addressing resistance to change
• Strong business acumen with ability to articulate value in financial and strategic terms

 
Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in distribution, logistics, manufacturing, or industrial sectors
• Familiarity with agile and hybrid IT/business operating models
• Understanding of regulatory requirements related to data (GDPR, etc.)
• Experience with organizational transformations involving centralization vs. federation tensions
• Multilingual capabilities (Dutch/English)

 
Engagement Details

• Duration: Project-based engagement, initially 6-12 months with potential extension
• Start Date: January/February 2024
• Location: West-Flanders, with on-site presence required 3 days per week
• Reporting: Direct collaboration with Head of Data Transformation
• Team: Work with distributed team of 250+ data professionals including data engineers, architects, BI analysts, and governance specialists