Global Data Steward

About WPP

WPP partners with the world’s top brands by integrating media intelligence, data solutions, creative services, production, enterprise solutions, and strategic consulting through our unified marketing platform, WPP Open. Operating in over 100 markets globally, we blend global presence with local expertise to drive transformational growth for our clients. Our success is driven by fostering a culture of creativity, inclusiveness, and continuous learning, ensuring opportunities for professional advancement.

Role Overview

We are inviting applications for a meticulous and experienced Global Data Steward based in Chennai, India, to support the global Master Data Management (MDM) initiative at WPP Media. This critical role involves maintaining the accuracy and integrity of WPP Media’s key master data domains such as Clients, Media, and Suppliers, through hands-on use of our AI-supported MDM platform, Matrix.

Key Responsibilities

• Thoroughly review, validate, and approve AI-generated mapping suggestions within the Matrix MDM tool.
• Ensure AI recommendations accurately reflect actual business entities without causing duplication, fragmentation, or improper hierarchies.
• Adhere to global standards, naming conventions, and data architectures consistently.
• Assess and authorize new master data entries across multiple core domains.
• Proactively engage with local markets and finance teams to complete mappings, resolve data inconsistencies, and correct inadequate submissions.
• Firmly challenge and reject data mappings lacking completeness or correctness.
• Manage end-to-end stewardship processes ensuring no delays in data handling or approvals.
• Continuously provide feedback to enhance AI-assisted mastering and operational efficiency.
• Champion data quality, uniformity, and enterprise-wide usability of master data.
• Collaborate with Local Data Stewards, Finance, Product, and Platform teams to align on governance standards and expectations.
• Enforce data governance protocols, approval workflows, and escalate complex issues appropriately.
• Maintain transparent, auditable documentation for all stewardship decisions.

Candidate Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in Master Data Management, data stewardship, governance, or quality roles preferably within a global, multi-market context.
• Deep understanding of master data principles including golden records, canonical entities, entity hierarchies, and data deduplication.
• Familiarity with MDM systems and formal approval workflows; experience with custom-built tools is a plus.
• Confidence working with and critically evaluating AI-aided or rule-based data mappings.
• Highly organized, with a strong drive to uphold data quality standards by assertively engaging stakeholders.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a strategic mindset for long-term, cross-domain data quality.
• Ability to assertively decline or request revisions when data quality or completeness is inadequate.
• Proficient communication skills to effectively interface with business, finance, and technical teams.
• Experience working under formal governance frameworks and decision-making authorities is advantageous.

Recommended Competencies

• Understanding stewardship responsibility layers, decision authorities, and escalation procedures.
• Valuing audit readiness, traceability, and data consistency over rapid processing.
• Strong stakeholder management skills to follow up and escalate to ensure timely completion of data mappings.
• Balancing collaborative interaction with firmness to maintain momentum on master data objectives.
• Applying consistent quality standards across multiple master data domains.
• Active ownership mindset to prevent data backlogs, reduce rework, and minimize negative downstream effects.

Company Culture and Benefits

At WPP, we foster an open and inclusive environment that embraces diverse perspectives and new ideas. We embody optimism and confidence in our innovative approach to work, constantly pushing boundaries and pioneering excellence. Joining WPP means collaborating with passionate professionals on meaningful projects that influence major industry players globally.

We provide a hybrid working model with approximately four days per week onsite, but are open to discussing flexibility to accommodate individual needs. WPP is an equal opportunity employer committed to respectful and inclusive practices, ensuring every employee has the opportunity to thrive.

Additional Information

Please note that all recruitment data handling abides by WPP’s privacy policy.