Data Governance Manager
Job summary
We are looking for experienced Data Governance Managers to join a dedicated and forward-looking team, helping to shape how data is governed, assured and enabled across the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO).
This is an exciting opportunity to play a vital role in a part of UKHO that is central to our future direction. You will help lead and operate the Data Governance Framework, support the governance of critical data assets, and build a trusted, reusable and scalable data capability. Working with the Head of Data, our Master Data Management team, technology and architecture specialists, and stakeholders across the business, you will help embed clear policies, standards and controls into day-to-day delivery.
You will join at a point where there is real momentum, a clear direction of travel and tangible opportunities to influence how data governance is developed and applied in practice. As part of a highly collaborative and evolving team, you will help deliver meaningful change and build the conditions for data to be used with confidence where quality, integrity and responsible use really matter.
At the UKHO, data sits at the heart of how we deliver the world’s most comprehensive range of marine geospatial information. That information supports safe navigation and global trade, underpinning wider marine activity including economic development, environmental protection, scientific research, resource use, and security and defence.
Hybrid working
This role requires regular contact, collaboration and discussions with a wide range of stakeholders across the UKHO and beyond. Whilst much of that could be successfully achieved via remote working communication channels, it’s anticipated that the role holder will attend the office for 40%-60% of their working time to maximise knowledge transfer, collaboration, information sharing and the provision of close support to the business.
Additional Information
Part-time hours may be considered for this role (minimum of 26 hours per week)
Job description
The Data Governance Manager will lead and evolve UKHO’s Data Governance Framework, helping to ensure data is governed, assured and used effectively across the organisation. Working closely with the Head of Data, the Master Data Management team, key technology and architecture specialists, and stakeholders across the business.
The role will help embed practical governance, clear accountabilities and trusted ways of working that support both immediate delivery needs and the longer-term development of UKHO’s standards-led, data product-focused operating model.
The successful candidate will:
- Lead the development and continuous improvement of the organisation’s Data Governance Framework, ensuring our data is governed and managed appropriately, is aligned to UKHO data strategy and business requirements, MOD and UK government policies, and recognised best practise.
- Be responsible for defining and supporting the implementation of a clear Data Governance Model, including:
- ownership and stewardship responsibilities, ensuring that accountabilities are understood and applied consistently across the organisation,
- enabling the identification and cataloguing critical data assets, and
- enabling organisation-wide data quality management through effective processes, monitoring, and tools
- Ensure practical, risk-based data governance throughout the data lifecycle – from creation to disposal – by collaborating with delivery teams, data practitioners, and senior stakeholders to support business goals.
- Support the management of data related risks and escalate where necessary to appropriate decision-making groups. This includes balancing regulatory and policy compliance with the need to enable safe, effective and timely use of data.
- Develop organisational capability in data governance and management, including advocating for better use and management of data, improving data literacy and fluency, and supporting the effective adoption of data governance roles. This will be achieved through guidance, engagement, mentoring, training and targeted communications.
- Provide data governance and management advice, insight and assurance to governance forums and senior stakeholders, enabling consistent enterprise-wide, data led and customer centric decision making.
- Represent the organisation externally on data governance matters, contributing to cross-government and international forums as appropriate, sharing best practice and ensuring that external developments are reflected in internal policies, standards and ways of working.
- Help ensure UKHO’s AI use is built on trustworthy data, governed responsibly, and scaled safely so innovation can happen with confidence. Support continued UKHO adoption and use of AI by:
- strengthening data foundations needed for AI readiness,
- aligning data governance with AI governance and assurance,
- providing clarity on data ownership, accountability, and risk,
- embedding ethical, legal, and policy requirements into delivery, and
- supporting AI innovation while maintaining trust and transparency.
Person specification
- Demonstrable experience of leading, developing or embedding data governance practices, frameworks, standards or controls in a complex organisation.
- Experience of working with stakeholders across business and technical areas to improve how data is governed, managed and used.
- Capable of translating governance, policy or strategic requirements into practical approaches, guidance or improvements that can be applied in delivery.
- Strong understanding of data governance concepts such as ownership, stewardship, data quality, risk, assurance and lifecycle management.
- Experience of providing clear advice, challenge and assurance to senior stakeholders, governance groups or delivery teams.
- Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, building shared understanding and influencing positive change.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of multi-disciplinary teams, contributing to shared goals, supporting colleagues and fostering a culture of openness, trust and continuous improvement in how data is governed and managed
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £48,746, UK Hydrographic Office contributes £14,121 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).At the UK Hydrographic Office, it's very important to us that our people feel valued.
We offer a huge range of benefits such as training and development, well-being support, flexible/ homeworking, a fantastic state of the art building, high spec equipment, and so much more.
See our attached Candidate Information Pack for more details.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.How to Apply:
When you click "Apply Now" at the bottom of this page, you will be required to attach your anonymised CV and give a supporting statement of 500 words on the Experience criteria below.
Timeline:
- Advert Closes for applications: 05/08/2026
- Shortlisting: Week commencing: 10/08/2026
- Interviews: Week commencing: 24/08/2026
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
Sift/Shortlist Criteria:
All applications are processed anonymously. You will be short-listed against the following criteria - assessed by both your anonymised CV and Supporting Statement, as noted below.
Experience:
- Experience related to and/or leading on Data Governance. (assessed by CV)
- Experience of practically embedding Data Governance Principles in an organisation. (assessed by Supporting Statement)
Civil Service Behaviours (SEO Level)
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
Interview Criteria:
You will be interviewed against the following criteria:
Experience:-
- Examples of your practical experience embedding Data Governance principles and best practice into an organisation’s operational delivery (assessed by presentation) – Lead Criteria used in the event of a tie at interview.
Civil Service Behaviours (SEO Level)
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Leadership
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing (assessed by a presentation)
See here for further information: Success Profiles: Civil Service Behaviours
Process:
- Single Stage Interview via MS TEAMS. You will be contacted to book a suitable slot if you are shortlisted (see our Candidate Pack for further information)
- Interview will be with a panel of no more than 3 people and will last approximately 45 minutes. If selected for interview, you will be required to give a 10 minute presentation as noted above. The title of the presentation will be provided in your Invitation to Interview.
Onboarding Checks:
In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks. You will also need to apply for SC (Security Clearance), but you may be able to start your role before gaining this. Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms.
SC – non reserved
This is a Ministry of Defence non-reserved post and although open to UK, British Commonwealth and European Economic Area nationals, successful applicants will require a security clearance (SC) and therefore need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 12 consecutive months within the last 5 years.
Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.
Due to the secure nature of our work, there may be eligibility restrictions if you hold dual nationality or are not a British Citizen. We will consider each application on a case-by-case basis. We will ask you in our application form to confirm your place of birth and details of any dual or previous nationalities.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk
Further information
The Department’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment based on merit, open and fair competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, details of which can be found at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can further contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk or view more details at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.ukSalary range
- £48,746 per year