Data Governance Lead
Job Summary
Westfield is executing a modern, AI-enabled data governance program that directly shapes how a leading P&C insurance carrier understands its risk, serves its customers, and competes in the market. As Data Governance Lead, you'll own the strategy and drive the execution. You'll work at the intersection of data, technology, and the business — translating governance principles into tangible outcomes that people actually care about: trusted data for underwriting, clean feeds to the general ledger, AI that works because the data underneath it is governed. This is a high visibility role with direct impact on Westfield's data platform modernization and AI enablement agenda.
Job Responsibilities
Own the enterprise data governance program — lead strategy, execution, and continuous maturation of governance capabilities across business segments
Define and enforce standards — develop and maintain data governance policies, standards, and procedures aligned to regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and Westfield's strategic priorities
Drive data quality — establish quality frameworks, conduct assessments, identify root causes, and lead improvement initiatives that make data trustworthy at the source
Build the metadata and intelligence foundation — lead the development of a governed metadata environment — data dictionary, business glossary, lineage, and semantic layer — that enables self-service analytics and AI capabilities
Manage data lifecycle and compliance — ensure data classification, access controls, retention, and privacy obligations are embedded in platform operations and audit-ready
Engage and align stakeholders — communicate governance concepts credibly to technical and business audiences; earn sign-off, build trust across segments, and represent governance value at CDO and CIO level
Establish governance operations — create the operational infrastructure — intake, tracking, reporting cadence — that gives the program a heartbeat and keeps delivery visible to leadership
Lead through change — build organizational capability and momentum in an environment where governance is nascent; demonstrate value early and transition ownership to the business progressively
Required Job Qualifications
7+ years of experience in data governance, data management, or enterprise data program leadership
Demonstrated experience defining and executing governance frameworks — CDEs, data classification, data quality, data/metadata management
Proven ability to lead cross-functional programs with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
Strong executive communication skills — you can communicate governance value to business leaders
Experience driving organizational change in environments where governance is nascent or inconsistent
Demonstrated experience with modern data platforms and governance tooling (cloud-native data platforms, metadata management, data quality tools)
Execution-oriented — able to deliver tangible outcomes in a program-building environment
Demonstrated people leadership — proven ability to assess team capability, close skill gaps through active coaching and development, and hold individuals accountable to a performance standard
Preferred P&C or broader insurance industry experience
Understanding of underwriting, claims, reserving, or regulatory filing data is a significant advantage
Experience with Snowflake, dbt, Purview, Profisee, or Erwin
Familiarity with NAIC guidelines, state insurance data regulations, and financial/actuarial data standards
Experience building governance programs that support AI or advanced analytics enablement
Background in data stewardship operating model design — hub and spoke, federated, or hybrid models
About Us
Founded in 1848, Westfield is a global leader in property and casualty insurance, delivering superior risk insights and innovative solutions to customers through a diverse portfolio of insurance products. Westfield underwrites commercial, personal, surety, and specialty lines of coverage through a network of leading independent agents and brokers in the United States and specialty products through Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200. As a mutual insurance company with more than 3,000 employees, Westfield has revenues in excess of $4 billion and more than $10 billion in assets.
Behavioral Competencies
Directs work
Collaborates
Develops talent
Strategic mindset
Customer focus
Communicates effectively
Ensures accountability
Drives vision and purpose
Decision quality
Business insight
Nimble learning
Builds effective teams
Manages complexity
Technical Skills
Process Improvement
Disaster Recovery
Stakeholder Management
Technical Support
Budgeting
IT Strategy & Framework
Project Management
Operating Systems
Workflow Management
IT Regulatory Compliance