Data Governance and Information Architecture Manager

Start Date: ASAP

End Date: 31/12/2026

Work Regime: Full-time, no remote

Location: Vlaams-Brabant

Languages Required: Dutch/French + English

Role Overview:

The Data Governance and Information Architecture Manager will oversee the governance, structuring, and optimization of the organization’s data assets to align with strategic objectives and business outcomes. This role involves developing and implementing robust data governance frameworks while designing and maintaining enterprise information architectures. The Manager will serve as a key bridge between governance, architecture, and project teams, ensuring responsible data stewardship, security, and effective utilization across the organization. This position acts as the right arm of the Head of Data, supporting strategic initiatives and ensuring alignment across data functions. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership:
  • Define and communicate the vision, strategy, and roadmap for data governance and enterprise information architecture.
  • Establish objectives, priorities, and KPIs for governance and architecture initiatives.
  • Align governance and architecture practices with strategic goals and regulatory requirements.
  • Support strategic initiatives.
• Team Management:
  • Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team dedicated to data governance and information architecture.
  • Define roles, responsibilities, and career development paths for team members.
  • Provide guidance and mentorship to data stewards and data owners.
  • Foster collaboration across data, IT, and business teams.
• Data Governance Implementation:
  • Develop, document, and enforce policies, standards, and procedures for data governance.
  • Define roles, responsibilities, and structures for data stewardship and accountability.
  • Ensure compliance with data protection regulations and industry standards, such as GDPR.
• Enterprise Information Architecture Development:
  • Design and maintain business information models, including conceptual and logical data models.
  • Define mappings for critical business entities and contexts.
  • Develop and manage a Unified Information Model to guide data initiatives.
  • Collaborate with other architecture domains to define information flows and integration between applications.
• Data Quality Management:
  • Set data quality standards, metrics, and monitoring mechanisms.
  • Collaborate with data owners and stewards to address data quality issues.
  • Drive initiatives to continuously improve data quality and reliability.
• Metadata Management and Documentation:
  • Implement processes to capture and maintain data lineage, definitions, and dependencies.
  • Promote the use of data dictionaries, glossaries, and cataloguing tools.
• Risk and Value Assessment:
  • Assess the benefits and risks of information use in business contexts.
  • Formulate recommendations on data access, security, retention, and ownership.
• Stakeholders Management:
  • Collaborate with the Data Privacy Office and the CISO to ensure governance policies align with data protection regulations and security standards.
  • Work closely with Legal, IT, Enterprise Architecture, operational managers.

Requirements:

• Skills and Competencies:
  • Strong conceptual thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Proven ability to articulate the value of data governance and information architecture.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge and Expertise:
  • Deep knowledge of data governance principles, frameworks, and best practices.
  • Expertise in information modeling, data classification, and enterprise-level information architecture.
  • Experience with Master Data Management (MDM) and Business Intelligence.
  • Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and data privacy/security standards.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 8 years of experience in data governance, information architecture, or related fields.
  • Experience in team management.
• Education and Certification:
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Management, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Relevant certifications in data governance and architecture.
• Languages:
  • Fluent in English and one of Belgium's national languages (Dutch or French).