Senior Data Governance Consultant

Senior Data Governance Consultant

Enterprise Data Inventory & Classification Engagement

The consultant will execute across four workstreams in parallel:

1 - Plan & Current State Review

• Mobilize quickly; confirm objectives, scope, and ways of working with the CLIENT team
• Review current-state data governance documentation and prior proof-of-concept (POC) results
• Interview CLIENT subject matter experts to capture institutional knowledge and requirements gaps

2 - Requirements & Tool Evaluation Matrix

• Define business and functional requirements for a data classification and inventory platform
• Build a weighted tool evaluation matrix covering functionality, scalability, cybersecurity/DLP fit, and cost
• Establish coverage criteria for both structured and unstructured data environments

3 - Vendor Bake-Off Support

• Confirm the shortlist of two finalist vendors appropriate for CLIENT's environment
• Support the head-to-head bake-off using real CLIENT data
• Score and compare results against the evaluation matrix to determine best fit

4 - Classification Profiling & Recommendation

• Develop data classification profiles and classification type definitions for applications beyond the Project
• Contribute to the strategic platform recommendation with supporting cost estimates
• Support development of an implementation plan and sequenced 2027 deployment roadmap

Required Qualifications

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in data governance, data management, or information architecture roles
• Demonstrated hands-on experience leading data inventory and classification engagements in enterprise environments
• Prior experience in highly regulated industries; healthcare or health insurance strongly preferred
• Proven track record executing vendor evaluations, bake-offs, and technology selection processes for data governance platforms
• Experience developing data classification frameworks, policies, and handling strategies

Technical Skills

• Deep familiarity with data classification and discovery tools (e.g., Microsoft Purview, Varonis, BigID, Collibra, Alation, or comparable platforms)
• Proficiency assessing structured data (databases, data warehouses, data lakes) and unstructured data (file shares, email, collaboration platforms)
• Ability to build and apply weighted evaluation matrices for technology selection
• Understanding of data security posture management (DSPM) and DLP integration considerations
• Experience with data lifecycle management concepts and governance operating models

Soft Skills & Engagement Qualities

• Operates effectively in a client-directed model; takes guidance from the CLIENT program lead and executes with limited oversight
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to produce clear, executive-ready deliverables independently
• Collaborative and responsive; accustomed to working alongside internal client teams and stakeholders
• Manages time well against a compressed timeline with a hard August milestone

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with HIPAA, state-level privacy regulations, and healthcare data handling requirements
• Experience with data classification in the context of cybersecurity or CISO-sponsored programs
• Relevant certifications: CDMP, CIPP, CIPM, or equivalent data governance or privacy credentials