We're Hiring!

Data Governance Manager

Reporting to: Senior Lead | Location: Office/Hybrid | Full-time – 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Are you passionate about data governance and making sure organisations can trust the information they use? Do you enjoy turning complex data, privacy and governance requirements into clear, practical ways of working?

At Dogs Trust Ireland, you'll play a key role in establishing and embedding an effective data governance framework that ensures our data is appropriately owned, understood, accurate, secure, consistent and managed throughout its lifecycle. You'll help create the standards, policies and accountability needed to enable trusted data to support operational, strategic and evidence-based decision-making.

Working across business teams, IT and colleagues across the wider Dogs Trust group, you'll provide strategic oversight of data governance, privacy, data quality and responsible data use. You'll help strengthen how data is managed across the charity, while supporting the effective use of data, reporting, AI and emerging technologies.

What you'll be doing:

     Leading the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Dogs Trust Ireland's data governance framework and supporting the evolution of the organisation's data strategy

     Developing and maintaining policies, standards and governance arrangements covering data ownership, stewardship, quality, information management, protection, retention, metadata, reporting and responsible use of data and AI

     Providing governance oversight and assurance, working with business and technical owners to ensure policies and standards are implemented effectively

     Supporting the successful implementation and adoption of new data technologies, tools and methodologies to improve insights and reporting capabilities

     Keeping the organisation up to date with emerging trends, tools and best practice in data governance, including AI governance considerations

     Resolving data definition conflicts and balancing data gathering, data subject rights and customer experience

     Creating and implementing data structures, data framework models and SharePoint arrangements in line with best practice

     Providing strategic oversight of data privacy and protection, including risks associated with sensitive donor, customer, volunteer and staff data

     Working with IT, information security and business stakeholders to ensure data governance and information-handling requirements support security and privacy objectives

     Leading data quality frameworks, monitoring data quality metrics and driving continuous improvement to ensure data is accurate, reliable, complete and fit for purpose

     Developing KPIs, dashboards and reporting tools to provide senior management and key stakeholders with clear, accessible and actionable insights on performance, outcomes and impact

     Establishing governance standards for the creation, collection, classification, storage, sharing, retention, archiving and disposal of organisational data, while supporting data inventories, business glossaries and data catalogues

We're looking for someone who has:

     Significant practical experience in data governance, data management or information governance within a complex organisation

     Demonstrable experience developing and embedding data governance frameworks, policies, standards and operating models

     In-depth knowledge and practical understanding of EU GDPR, the Irish Data Protection Act 2018 and relevant Irish data protection and privacy requirements

     An understanding of UK data protection requirements where applicable to wider Dogs Trust group activities

     Proven ability to advise management teams on complex data governance and management challenges and turn these into proportionate, actionable improvement plans

     Strong digital and data literacy, with an understanding of modern data platforms, reporting environments and information management technologies

     Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to explain complex governance and regulatory requirements clearly to technical and non-technical audiences

     Experience applying privacy and data protection principles within projects, technology change and organisational processes

     A proactive, collaborative approach to building relationships and solving problems across business and technical teams

     A commitment to the aims, objectives and values of Dogs Trust Ireland

     A full Irish driving licence with access to your own transport, with travel required to Head Office in Dublin and other locations around Ireland

     A relevant professional qualification or certification in data governance, data management, information governance or data protection, such as DAMA Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP), or equivalent

It would be great if you also have:

     Experience implementing Data Owner and Data Steward operating models

Experience of data cataloguing, metadata management, data quality or governance tooling

     Experience working across organisational or international boundaries, particularly where UK and EU/Irish data requirements intersect

     An understanding of emerging governance considerations relating to AI and advanced analytics

     Experience working within the charity, not-for-profit or similarly mission-driven sector

Why Join Us?

     The opportunity to shape how data is governed and managed across Dogs Trust Ireland

     A role with strategic influence, supporting trusted data and evidence-based decision-making across the organisation

     The opportunity to work collaboratively with business teams, IT and colleagues across the wider Dogs Trust group

     The chance to strengthen data quality, privacy, security and responsible data use across a charity dedicated to improving the lives of dogs and the people who love them

     The opportunity to help Dogs Trust Ireland respond to emerging developments in data, technology and AI.

Ready to use your data governance expertise to help create a better world for dogs and the people who love them?

Apply now by sending your CV and Cover Letter to recruitment@dogstrust.ie

Closing Date for Applications is 1^st November 2026

Dogs Trust Ireland CLG is an Equal Opportunities Employer