We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Data Governance & Data Strategy Consultant to lead and advise clients on enterprise-wide data management initiatives. This role is suited to an established consulting professional who can engage with executive stakeholders, define strategic data roadmaps, implement governance frameworks, and drive data maturity across complex organisations.
The successful person will possess deep expertise in Data Governance, Data Strategy, and Data Management best practices, with a strong understanding of the DAMA Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBOK) framework.
You will act as a trusted advisor to clients, helping them transform data into a strategic business asset while ensuring regulatory compliance, data quality, and effective data stewardship.
What you'll do:
- Data Strategy
- Develop and implement enterprise data strategies aligned to business objectives.
- Assess current-state data capabilities and define target-state operating models.
- Create data transformation roadmaps and maturity improvement plans.
- Advise executive leadership on data-driven business strategies.
- Support organisations in establishing data as a strategic asset.
- Data Governance
- Design and implement enterprise Data Governance frameworks.
- Define governance operating models, policies, standards, and controls.
- Establish Data Ownership, Data Stewardship, and Data Custodian structures.
- Facilitate Data Governance Councils and stakeholder forums.
- Drive adoption of governance processes across business and technology teams.
- Data Management Excellence
- Apply DAMA DMBOK principles across:
- Data Governance
- Data Quality Management
- Metadata Management
- Master Data Management (MDM)
- Data Architecture
- Data Security
- Data Lifecycle Management
- Develop sustainable data management practices and frameworks.
- Regulatory & Risk Compliance
- Ensure alignment with:
- POPIA
- GDPR
- Industry-specific regulatory requirements
- Establish data risk management frameworks.
- Support audit and compliance initiatives.
- Stakeholder Consulting
- Engage with C-suite executives, business leaders, and technology teams.
- Conduct workshops and strategic assessments.
- Present recommendations and executive-level reports.
- Build trusted relationships with key client stakeholders.
- Lead strategic consulting engagements from discovery through implementation.
- Data Operating Model Development
- Design Target Operating
- Models (TOMs) for Data Management functions
- Define organisational structures, roles, responsibilities, and governance forums.
- Develop data policies, standards, and procedures.
- Change & Adoption
- Drive organisational adoption of governance practices.
- Support data literacy and data culture initiatives.
- Facilitate training and awareness programmes.
Your Expertise:- Essential
- 10+ years of experience in Data Management, Data Governance, Data Strategy, or related fields.
- Proven consulting experience delivering enterprise data initiatives.
- Experience engaging with executive and board-level stakeholders.
- Demonstrated success implementing Data Governance frameworks within large organisations.
- Experience developing enterprise Data Strategies and operating models.
- Strong understanding of data management disciplines and industry best practices.
- Preferred Industry Experience
- Financial Services
- Insurance
- Telecommunications
- Retail
- Public Sector
- Healthcare
Qualifications:
- Essential
- Bachelor's Degree in:
- Information Systems
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Business Information Management
- Related Discipline
- Preferred
- Honours Degree or Postgraduate Qualification
- MBA (advantageous)
Certifications:
- Essential
- DAMA DMBOK / Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) or equivalent DMBOK-aligned qualification
- Highly Desirable
- DAMA Certification (CDMP)
- DCAM (Data Management Capability Assessment Model)
- TOGAF
- COBIT
- Certified Information Management Professional (CIMP)
- Data Governance & Stewardship Certifications
- Privacy Certifications (POPIA/GDPR)
Key Competencies:
- Technical & Functional
- Data Governance Framework Design
- Enterprise Data Strategy
- Data Management Frameworks
- Data Quality Management
- Metadata Management
- Master Data Management (MDM)
- Data Architecture Principles
- Data Risk & Compliance
- Data Operating Models
- Data Maturity Assessments
- Regulatory Compliance
- Consulting Competencies
- Executive Stakeholder Engagement
- Strategic Advisory
- Business Transformation
- Workshop Facilitation
- Presentation Skills
- Programme Delivery
- Relationship Management
- Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Thinking
- Influence and Negotiation
- Change Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Decision Making
- Mentoring and Coaching
Key Deliverables:
- The successful consultant will be expected to:
- Develop enterprise Data Strategies.
- Design and implement Data Governance frameworks.
- Establish governance operating models and stewardship structures.
- Conduct Data Maturity Assessments.
- Define data management policies, standards, and procedures.
- Facilitate executive stakeholder workshops.
- Drive regulatory compliance and risk management initiatives.
- Build sustainable data management capabilities within client organisations
Other information applicable to the opportunity:
- Contract position (Hybrid)
- Location: Cape Town
- Seniority: Senior Consulting / Advisory Level
Why work for us?
Want to work for an organization that solves complex real-world problems with innovative software solutions? At iOCO, we believe anything is possible with modern technology, software, and development expertise. We are continuously pushing the boundaries of innovative solutions across multiple industries using an array of technologies.?
You will be part of a consultancy, working with some of the most knowledgeable minds in the industry on interesting solutions across different business domains.?
Our culture of continuous learning will ensure that you will have all the opportunities, tools, and support to hone and grow your craft.?
By joining IOCO you will have an open invitation to developer inspiring forums. A place where you will be able to connect and learn from and with your peers by sharing ideas, experiences, practices, and solutions.?