We are seeking an experienced Data Governance Lead to provide Trust-wide leadership for data governance, data quality, metadata management and information standards. This senior specialist role will design, implement and continuously improve the Trust’s Data Governance strategy & capability, ensuring data is trusted, secure, well-managed and fit for purpose. Working closely with clinical, operational, digital, analytics and information governance teams, you will embed effective governance into data platforms, reporting, AI solutions and operational processes. You will play a key role in enabling safe, compliant and effective use of data to support patient care, service improvement and strategic decision-making.
Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received.
Provides Trust-wide leadership for data governance across clinical, operational, and corporate domains.
Accountable for the development and implementation of data governance frameworks, including data ownership, stewardship, quality, standards, lineage, and metadata.
Influences how data is collected, processed, analysed, and shared across the Trust and partner organisations.
Leads on governance for enterprise data platforms (e.g. Microsoft Fabric).
No direct budgetary responsibility but significant influence over investment decisions, priorities, and controls relating to data and analytics.
Line management or professional leadership responsibility for data governance specialists or analysts, where applicable.
We manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed, covering one of the largest geographical areas of any NHS trust in the country. Leading in innovation and quality – opening a state of the art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. Do you want to work in one of the best performing NHS organisations in England? Work in an organisation that supports its staff and focuses on staff experience as much as it does the experience of its patients? You can live and breathe in an area that has the cleanest air, cost effective living, great nightlife, some of the best schools with a wealth of history available on your doorstep. Sound too good to be true? Well it isn’t, this is what you get when you work for Northumbria Healthcare, this is the Northumbria Way! Please read ‘applicant guidance notes’ before submitting your application.
The Data Governance Lead will provide Trust-wide leadership for data governance, data quality, metadata management and information standards. The postholder will design, implement and continuously improve the Trust’s Data Governance Framework, ensuring data is trusted, secure, well-governed and fit for purpose.
Working closely with clinical, operational, digital, analytics and information governance teams, the role will embed governance into data platforms, reporting, AI solutions, operational processes and decision-making. The postholder will act as the Trust’s senior specialist for data governance, providing expert advice on data ownership, stewardship, quality, definitions, lineage, metadata, standards and appropriate data use.
Main responsibilities include leading the development of data governance policies, standards and procedures; improving data quality and assurance processes; supporting the creation and maintenance of data catalogues and metadata; defining clear data ownership and stewardship arrangements; and advising on governance controls for modern data platforms and analytics services.
The role will also involve influencing senior stakeholders, chairing governance forums, supporting audit and assurance activity, and promoting a culture of shared accountability for high-quality data. The postholder will provide compassionate and inclusive leadership, enabling colleagues across the Trust to use data safely, effectively and confidently.
