Principal Consultant Data Governance

At NCS Australia, we believe in doing technology services better. Our commitment to quality, focus on people, and willingness to challenge traditional thinking set us apart. Our team brings this belief to life by partnering with our clients and communities to make tomorrow together.

We are committed to creating an environment that prioritises innovation, collaboration, and purposeful work. Our diverse team is empowered to make a meaningful impact with curiosity, creativity and resilience to shape better outcomes. Join us and accept the challenge of creating a better tomorrow.

We are looking for a Principal Consultant in Data Governance to lead the definition and implementation of data governance capabilities that foster trust, unlock value, and support regulatory, ethical, and strategic outcomes for our clients.

In this senior role, you will collaborate with executive stakeholders to design and implement enterprise-wide Data Governance Frameworks and Operating Models based on global best practices, including the DCAM framework from the EDM Council. Your responsibilities extend beyond strategy development; you will drive the adoption and operationalisation of governance through stewardship models, process design, capability enhancement, and integration with modern tools and platforms.

You will play a crucial role in shaping our internal consulting methodologies, mentoring emerging talent, and contributing to thought leadership as we help organisations advance their data governance functions from foundational awareness to an embedded, enterprise-wide discipline.

As a leader in data governance, you will be at the forefront of designing and implementing robust Data Governance Frameworks and Operating Models, drawing on industry-leading practices from DAMA and DCAM. Your role will include providing strategic advice to senior stakeholders on critical areas such as governance strategy, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, promoting ethical data use, and mitigating potential risks specific to the organisation's context. A key part of your responsibilities will be championing the adoption of data governance across the organisation by developing and executing effective change management programs aimed at enhancing data-related capabilities, ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of these governance structures.

In addition to providing strategic oversight, you will be responsible for operationalising these frameworks: translating high-level strategies into actionable governance policies, defining metadata standards, and embedding clear ownership models within the organisation's operational and data workflows. This also includes guiding the selection and implementation of essential data governance, catalogue, and quality tools. You will conduct comprehensive data management maturity assessments using DCAM-aligned models to identify capability gaps and inform prioritised improvement efforts. A significant part of your role will be to foster a culture of data awareness and collaboration by engaging with a wide range of stakeholders across business, technology, risk, and compliance, while also mentoring a team of governance consultants and contributing to the continuous enhancement of our data governance resources and methodologies.

• Previous experience in data governance, including consulting leadership roles for an SI, Technology Consultancy or Professional Services Organisation. 
• Deep understanding of the DCAM (Data Management Capability Assessment Model) from the EDM Council, with proven application in complex environments.
• Experience designing and embedding governance operating models, policies, and standards across enterprise settings.
• Demonstrated success in executive stakeholder engagement, influencing senior leaders, and aligning governance with strategic business priorities.
• Familiarity with data risk, regulatory obligations, ethics, and trust frameworks in sectors such as government, financial services, and insurance.
• Hands-on experience with data catalogues and quality platforms (e.g. Alation, Experian, Ataccama) and knowledge of integration with modern cloud data platforms.
• Skilled in governance enablement and change leadership, with experience delivering adoption and literacy programs.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to uplift team capability and contribute to practice-wide initiatives.

Why join us: 

NCS Australia is where you can feel at home, nurturing your talents and skills as we make tomorrow together, one day at a time. Our benefits include paid parental leave, initiatives focused on your well-being and discounted health insurance. You will also enjoy discounts on various products and services and be regularly recognised and rewarded for high performance. We are committed to your career development through our Capability Fingerprint, industry and partner training programs, special interest groups, and an AI-driven learning platform. No matter where you are in your career, we offer meaningful work and opportunities for growth.

NCS Australia is an equal-opportunity employer, and we take pride in our commitment to valuing and supporting our people and the communities we serve.We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community and we strongly encourage applications from the Veterans, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

At NCS Australia, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply. 

Agencies:

We've got this. We request that you do not contact NCS employees outside of the Talent Acquisition team. NCS exclusively accepts resumes from agencies on our preferred supplier panel through the NCS Agency Portal. Agencies that submit resumes must have a valid fee agreement and be assigned to the particular requisition by the Talent Acquisition team. Any resumes that are submitted outside of this process will become the sole property of NCS. If a candidate is hired outside of this process, no fee or payment will be given.

Work rights and background checks: 

To be eligible for a position with us, applicants will need to have valid work rights for Australia and be willing to undergo a comprehensive background checking process, including probity and police checks