Data Governance Lead

Employment Type: Full-time Regular

City: Calgary, AB (YYC)

Posting Open Date: 03/26/2025

Posting Close Date: 04/08/2025 (Please note the posting will close at 11:59pm MST)

This is a hybrid work position in Calgary Alberta and requires in-person collaboration at the WestJet Campus (22 Aerial Place NE) 3 days per week. This provides flexibility the remaining 40% of the work week. This hybrid work plan allows for critically important learning, collaboration and networking with our colleagues. Specific days in the office are agreed upon by the team.

Why WestJet:

Every WestJet journey has the potential to enrich lives; a career with us is no exception.

WestJet arrived on the Canadian airline scene in 1996 and changed the industry for the better. We made air travel more affordable for Canadians and now we're going global.

Join us, this is where your career story takes off.

Overview of Role:

WestJet is seeking a Data Governance Lead to drive and execute our data governance roadmap with a team of analysts. This individual exhibits a high standard of excellence, enjoys challenges, and is delivery focused and results-driven. You will be responsible for defining, implementing, and embedding data governance best practices across the enterprise, ensuring WestJet's data is well-managed, secure, and valuable.

This role requires a strategic thinker who can build and implement frameworks while also being hands-on with delivery. You will work closely with business leaders, data stewards, and technology teams to establish data governance policies and operationalize data governance processes.

This role requires a highly motivated self-starter with strong leadership, facilitation, and communication skills. If you enjoy solving complex problems, working across business and technology teams, and shaping the future of enterprise data, this is the role for you. The starting base salary for this role is from $115,000 to $135,000, dependent on qualifications and experience.

Key Deliverables Include:

• Own and drive WestJet's data governance roadmap, ensuring alignment with business and regulatory requirements, and ensuring we are delivering business and technology value.
• Lead the integration and onboarding of a recently-acquired vacations organization to the WestJet enterprise Data Governance program.
• Design, implement, and enhance the Data Governance Framework, including policies, procedures, and standards.
• Deliver data stewardship, data access, and data management frameworks to ensure data integrity and accessibility.
• Lead the implementation of data cataloging and business glossary solutions.
• Establish and improve Reference and Master Data Management (RDM/MDM) practices.
• Develop change, communications, and roll-out plans for Data Governance initiatives, ensuring high business adoption and value achieved.
• Drive business engagement by becoming a trusted partner across all business units.
• Build and implement data literacy programs to improve understanding and adoption of data governance across the enterprise.
• Develop and manage relationships with data stewards, data owners, and executive sponsors to ensure governance adoption.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to a team of Data Governance analysts.
• Lead Scrum ceremonies like Sprint Planning and daily Stand Ups to ensure the work that we commit to is delivered on time and of high quality.
• Hold yourself and the team accountable to deliver on commitments.
• Turn roadmap initiatives into actionable work items with well curated details and acceptance criteria.
• Partner closely with Data Quality team ensuring DG and DQ are in lockstep across strategy and delivery.
• Partner with GRC, Cybersecurity, Legal, and Compliance teams to ensure governance aligns with security and regulatory policies.
• Review and quality-check upcoming enterprise projects to ensure data governance and management policies are considered and adhered to.
• Partner with external third-parties to ensure that data shared externally follows all Data Governance and other data policies.

Experience & Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in data governance, data management, or data strategy roles.
• Experience creating, owning, and executing on data governance roadmaps.
• Proven experience designing, building, and implementing Data Governance frameworks in an enterprise setting.
• Deep understanding of data stewardship, data access models, policies and procedures, metadata management, RDM/MDM, business glossaries, and data catalogs.
• Demonstrated ability to drive buy-in and adoption of governance initiatives across business and technology teams.
• Experience with process or product rollouts, communications, and change management.
• Exceptional communication and facilitation. Ability to translate complex governance concepts into clear, valuable terms.
• Experience curating data assets and executing on operational aspects of data governance.
• Experience engaging with all levels of an organization. From individual contributors to management to executive.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills. Ability to balance governance requirements with business needs.
• Highly analytical and strategic. Ability to define long-term goals while managing immediate priorities.
• Leadership experience, including mentoring and guiding other team members.
• Adaptable and comfortable working with complex organizational dynamics.
• Self-starter with a high standard of excellence and a passion for data governance.
• Experience working with Microsoft Purview, or alternatively other data catalog solutions.
• Experience working with data in various systems such as Snowflake, ADLS, SQL, SaaS DBs, and vendor DBs.
• Experience working with data in data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Experience assessing, documenting, and improving data governance policies and procedures.
• Experience leading Agile teams to deliver on common goals and features.
• Knowledge of Scrum framework and experience leading Sprint Planning, Backlog Grooming, Daily Standups, and Retrospectives.
• Experience using Azure DevOps for work management.

• Experience breaking down large initiatives into Epics, Features, and Stories with strong descriptions and acceptance criteria.Experience working with highly sensitive data spanning PII, PCI, and PHI. Experience working privacy laws and regulations such as GDPR, PIPEDA, CCPA, HIPAA, APPR.
• Experience building automated workflows and processes.
• Experience in the airline industry.
• Data Governance experience through a merger or acquisition.
• Experience building Sharepoint pages.
• Hands-on experience with SQL and/or Python.
• Certifications in Data Governance and privacy (CDMP, DCAM, CIPP, etc.)

The benefits of being a WestJetter:

WestJet provides all WestJetters with a competitive total rewards package. On top of that, we offer:

• A fun and friendly culture with colleagues who work together to win
• Travel privileges for you and your family, effective from your start date
• Savings and Benefit programs that are flexible to meet your specific needs

Think we are a fit? Apply now!

About WestJet Group of Companies

Together with WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships.

Our Safety Promise

At WestJet, the safety and security of our people and our guests is a core value and at the heart of what we do. As safety and security is a shared responsibility, it is expected that you will use safe work practices to ensure your well-being and the safety of others.

WestJet recognizes that the use of Alcohol and Drugs can adversely impact a safe work environment and the well-being of others including guests, suppliers and the public, as well as place WestJet's operations at risk. All roles that are identified as safety sensitive are required to pass a Pre-Employment Alcohol and Drug Test as per WestJet's Alcohol and Drug Policy.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We embrace what makes us each unique, and what makes us uniquely WestJet - and that is our people. WestJet is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates our differences by way of diversity, equity, and inclusion. As an equal opportunity employer, we want to you bring your full self to work and feel appreciated for your contributions.

At WestJet, we welcome unique skills, experiences, and backgrounds - if you're passionate and excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single qualification in the posting. We are committed to inclusivity, equity, and accessibility in the selection process. If you require an accommodation during the recruiting process, please let our Talent Acquisition team know.

We thank all applicants for their interest in WestJet; however, only those candidates who are selected will be contacted.

For more information about everything WestJet, please visit WestJet.com.

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