Data Governance Specialist

Position Overview

Join a pioneering aerospace initiative based in Dubai as a Data Governance Specialist, working onsite with a competitive tax-free salary, relocation benefits, and full healthcare coverage. This greenfield project offers a unique chance to establish rigorous data governance frameworks from the start without legacy challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and uphold the programme’s data classification framework across all systems with an emphasis on technical enforcement.
• Oversee data residency and sovereignty controls ensuring all data is correctly stored and accessed within appropriate jurisdictions.
• Create and enforce data retention policies aligned with regulatory and programme requirements.
• Support governance for Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS) and prevent unauthorized cross-border data transfers.
• Conduct regular governance audits, address any discrepancies through remediation plans, and educate staff on compliance obligations.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, IT, Security, and Quality departments reporting to the Manager of Data, Analytics & AI.

Initial 90 Days Goals

• Deploy the data classification framework on primary systems utilizing automated classification tools.
• Confirm data residency conforms to sovereign boundaries and access controls are effectively managed.
• Establish and integrate retention policies across data categories using the EDMS and file storage systems.
• Complete the first governance audit and design remediation strategies.
• Deliver comprehensive data governance training with completion tracking for initial team members.

Year One Milestones

• Achieve full data classification for all programme data.
• Maintain zero instances of data residency violations.
• Automate retention policies across all significant data categories.
• Resolve all governance audit findings within 30 days.
• Ensure organization-wide completion of data governance training.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum eight years’ experience in data governance, information management or compliance roles.
• At least three years backing data governance in defence, aerospace, or other sovereign data environments.
• Proven track record in implementing organizational data classification frameworks with enforcement and auditing expertise.
• Hands-on knowledge of data residency, sovereignty controls, automation in retention management, and EDMS governance.
• Understanding of risks linked to data sovereignty failures with a balanced approach to compliance and operational smoothness.
• Preferred experience with certification-grade data handling, automated classification tools, and cross-border data transfer controls.

Compensation and Work Location

The role is full-time and office based in Dubai offering a competitive tax-free salary package, a relocation allowance, and comprehensive healthcare coverage.