Data Governance Manager

Working for Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR), a leading multi-family real estate investment trust (REIT), means being part of a community and striving to provide the best in apartment living, speaking boldly about new ideas for innovation, and inspiring creativity in the ways we work together. Our portfolio of high-quality properties in urban growth markets – New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles – provides homes where people most want to live, work and play. We've got the best people in the business, and our experience shows in our dedication to our residents and in how much we value each other as colleagues. That’s why our employees say they are proud to work at Equity, a company that gives our residents a place where they can Live Remarkably and offers a culture where our employees have the opportunity to make their mark.

As a Data Governance Manager, you will work closely with a multidisciplinary Agile team to develop and implement a holistic Data Governance Framework, ensuring the integrity, security, and quality of our data assets. This framework will include robust policies and standards, driving compliance and data privacy across the organization. Your efforts will empower business owners, data engineers, and BI developers to make informed, data-driven decisions while safeguarding sensitive information.

The ideal candidate is a Data Governance Manager with a strong background in Data Engineering and Program Management. They have experience crafting and enforcing data governance policies that ensure data quality and security. They are Agile practitioners, possess strong problem-solving skills, collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, and are dedicated to establishing a culture of data stewardship and accountability.

• Strategically Focused and Detail-Oriented: You excel at developing comprehensive strategies while paying meticulous attention to detail in execution and implementation.
• Clear and Persuasive Communicator: You possess the ability to articulate complex concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring alignment and understanding.
• Methodical Organizer: You effectively manage multiple initiatives, ensuring all aspects of the framework are implemented seamlessly and on schedule.
• Results-Driven: You are committed to achieving high standards, continually driving improvements and fostering a culture of excellence.
• Collaborative Integrator: You work effectively with business owners, data engineers, and BI engineers, fostering cross-functional collaboration to achieve shared goals.
• Data-Savvy Analyst: Your proficiency in SQL enables you to work with data at a granular level, ensuring data integrity and quality. You can analyze data effectively, using your skills to support governance initiatives and translate findings into actionable insights for the organization.

• Collaborate with users, domain experts, and key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive Data Governance Framework, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies and standards for data quality, security, and privacy, including the creation of SQL tests and automated checks to ensure data integrity.
• Work closely with data engineers, BI engineers, and business owners to integrate governance best practices into data workflows, including the development of data quality dashboards for monitoring and reporting.
• Lead initiatives to evaluate and implement tools and processes that support data governance, such as data cataloging and lineage tracking, enhancing overall data management and stewardship.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to data and analytics professionals, promoting adherence to governance standards and practices through hands-on support and code reviews.
• Foster collaboration and integration across teams to ensure a cohesive approach to data governance, driving strategic outcomes and operational efficiency.

• Bachelor’s degree in Analytics, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related analytical field; a Master’s degree is a plus.
• Experience assessing overall data capabilities of an organization to develop and mature a data governance program.
• 3+ years of experience in Program Management with a focus on data-driven projects, including leading cross-functional teams and managing project timelines and deliverables.
• Proficiency in SQL, with 3+ years of experience writing and optimizing SQL queries, including the development of SQL-based data quality tests and validations.
• Experience in data governance or data management roles, with a strong understanding of data quality, security, and privacy principles.
• Experience working with data engineering teams to implement data governance practices within ETL pipelines and data workflows, including the creation of data quality dashboards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex business requirements into technical solutions and governance policies.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to create clear and concise documentation and effectively convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with Agile methodologies and tools (e.g., JIRA), with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to changing priorities.
• Python experience is advantageous, especially for automating data governance processes and enhancing data quality checks.