Job Title: Data Governance Project Manager

Location: Des Moines (Hybrid Position, Onsite 2 Days a Week)

Job Summary

We are seeking a Project Manager responsible for leading the establishment, improvement, monitoring, and training of a comprehensive data governance program. The Data Governance Coordinator will work with stakeholders across the Department to ensure data is collected, stored, shared, and reported in alignment with organizational needs. The role includes developing and enforcing policies and processes for data access and use, data security, metadata management, privacy, and more. The position requires excellent communication, facilitation, and project management skills, along with experience in data use and policies within an education and/or government agency, and a solid understanding of IT concepts and systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Chair and lead the Department s Data Governance Committee.
• Facilitate meetings and working groups with technical and non-technical stakeholders to identify data challenges, consult with experts, and determine solutions.
• Oversee the creation, implementation, and enforcement of agency-wide data governance policies and processes, including changes to data collections, requests, and releases.
• Plan and facilitate meetings, prepare agendas, lead discussions, and follow up on action items.
• Maintain a critical data issues log, identify problems impeding data quality, and assign accountability for resolution.
• Convene working groups of data stewards to address or resolve data governance needs.
• Facilitate collaboration between program areas and technology regarding data quality.
• Liaise between the Data Governance Committee and Department leadership, escalate issues, and submit recommendations for approval.
• Track and oversee data sharing agreements.
• Serve as the primary contact for data governance, quality, and compliance issues within the Department.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor s degree in education, data science, research, statistics, or a related field, or three years of experience in research/data management.
• 2 years of experience in data governance, policy development, and/or reporting with formal training or additional experience.
• Effective organizational communication skills, including meeting facilitation and consensus building.
• Experience communicating data-related topics to technical and non-technical audiences and navigating data quality/governance issues.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Experience in change management or process development.
• Strong facilitation skills with familiarity with facilitation techniques, tools, and best practices.
• Project management experience.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently and adhere to deadlines.
• Proficient in authoring, editing, and presenting high-quality technical or business documents.
• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

Desirable Qualifications

• Certification in project management (e.g., PMP).
• Previous experience chairing effective/functional committees.
• Training or mentoring experience.

Keys for Consideration

• Demonstrated experience with data governance, policies, compliance, and reporting.
• Substantial experience and training in leading projects, meeting facilitation, and achieving consensus.
• Proven complex organizational communication skills in professional scenarios, highlighting stakeholder roles and positions.
• Experience working with IT systems, staff, and collaborative teams.