Description and Requirements The Team You Will Join The Enterprise Data Governance and Responsible Use of Data and AI Department is part of the Data and Analytics Organization (DnA) within GTO. Our mission is to implement an enterprise-wide model for the governance of data at MetLife to ensure consistency of usage and a high level of confidence in data-driven analytics and decision-making capabilities. To achieve this, we are partnering with other Data and Analytics (DnA) teams, Technology, and our business and functional partners to build and deploy the next generation data capabilities for MetLife as we head into our New Frontier strategy!
The Opportunity The Data Governance Principal is a senior practitioner that provides program and operational oversight for the enterprise data governance function. This role supports the Director of Data Governance to manage day-to-day governance operations, drives structured change management across business and technical teams, and supports in coordinating strategy, communications, and delivery.
This position ensures that governance activities, policies, standards, and oversight processes operate smoothly, on time, and with clear alignment to the organization's data strategy.
Success in this role requires strategic thinking, executive communication, and technical fluency across the data lifecycle. The Data Governance Principal is responsible for enabling policy strategy, leadership, collaborating closely with executives, auditors, and cross-business teams in an environment where every contribution is respected, and every perspective is heard.
How You'll Help Us Build a Confident Future (Key Responsibilities) - Partner closely with the Data Governance Director to support governance strategy, planning, and organizational alignment.
- Lead planning and execution of data governance projects, roadmaps, and workstreams.
- Prepare executive-ready presentations, dashboards, materials, and decision support content for leadership and councils.
- Coordinate recurring governance rituals (Data Governance Forum, Steward Community of Practice, policy review cycles).
- Coordinate cross-functional teams including Data Owners, Stewards, Platform, Security, Legal, Compliance, Architecture, and Analytics.
- Track progress on governance initiatives such as data governance improvements, metadata capture, framework documentation, catalog adoption, and policy implementation.
- Support intake and prioritization of governance requests, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals.
- Serve as a trusted advisor and proxy for the Director when appropriate in meetings, planning sessions, and communications.
- Develop and execute change management strategies for data governance initiatives, including stakeholder analysis, communication planning, training design, and reinforcement.
- Create clear, accessible communications that drive understanding and adoption.
What You Need to Succeed (Required Qualifications) - 6-10 years of experience in project management, data governance, data management, business process improvement, or related fields.
- Bachelor's Degree required.
- Proficiency with reporting tools (examples include Power Point, Excel, SQL, Databricks, Azure, Alteryx, etc).
- Demonstrated leadership in enterprise policy development and cross-functional programs.
- Experience with organizational change management.
- Strong understanding of data governance concepts (DAMA-DMBOK, DCAM), metadata, lineage, quality, cataloging, risk/control methodologies, and/or stewardship models.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Skills - Certifications such as PMP, Prosci, Scrum Master, ITIL, CDMP
- Prior experience leading audits, remediation programs, or regulatory responses.
- Technical fluency across data lifecycle, metadata, lineage, access, retention, and quality.
Location Expectation: This is a hybrid role
requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in office.
The expected salary range for this position is $105,400 - $158,050. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.
Benefits We Offer Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!
About MetLife Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces , as well as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For , MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law ("protected characteristics").
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
$105,400 - $158,050
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