Data Catalog and Data Governance Specialist

This is a remote position. Nextlink is seeking an experienced **Data Catalog & Customer Data Governance Consultant** to support the development and operationalization of enterprise data catalog and metadata management capabilities while strengthening data governance practices across the organization. The consultant will play a key role in establishing a fit-for-purpose data catalog framework, improving metadata management, defining data ownership and stewardship models, and implementing governance processes for the **Customer Domain** in alignment with ongoing **Master Data Management (MDM)** and **Customer Relationship Management (CRM)** initiatives. The role will contribute directly to improving data quality, data literacy, AI readiness, and the overall value realization of organizational data assets. ## Key Responsibilities ### 1. Data Catalog Assessment & Requirements Gathering - Assess current-state data catalog, metadata management, and data governance capabilities. - Conduct stakeholder interviews and workshops with business and technical teams. - Identify critical data assets, metadata requirements, stewardship needs, and ownership gaps. - Analyze customer data creation, maintenance, and consumption processes. - Document key data flows, systems, dependencies, risks, and improvement opportunities. - Gather and prioritize business requirements for data catalog and governance initiatives. ### 2. Data Catalog & Metadata Management - Develop and recommend a practical enterprise data catalog strategy. - Define priority data catalog use cases and adoption roadmap. - Establish metadata management standards, taxonomy, classification, and onboarding criteria. - Support implementation of metadata management best practices, including: - Business Glossaries - Data Lineage - Metadata Standards - Data Asset Documentation - Identify and document AI-ready metadata use cases and responsible AI opportunities. - Drive adoption of data catalog capabilities across business and technical communities. ### 3. Customer Data Governance Framework - Support the establishment and operationalization of enterprise data governance. - Define data domains, ownership structures, stewardship models, and accountability mechanisms. - Develop a comprehensive Customer Data Governance Framework. - Define roles and responsibilities for: - Data Owners - Data Stewards - Data Custodians - Business Users - Technical Teams - Govern and standardize key customer concepts including: - Customer Lifecycle - Customer Journey - Customer Experience - Customer Interactions - Customer Value - Ensure alignment with CRM and MDM initiatives. ### 4. Data Quality, Compliance & Audit Support - Support data quality improvement initiatives. - Contribute to governance, compliance, and audit activities. - Prepare governance documentation, assessments, evidence, and recommendations. - Identify data quality issues and recommend remediation approaches. - Support regulatory and organizational compliance requirements. ### 5. Data Literacy & Change Enablement - Support the design and delivery of the organization's Data Literacy Program. - Develop and deliver: - Training Materials - Workshops - Presentations - Awareness Campaigns - Governance Guides - Promote data culture and adoption of governance practices. - Drive stakeholder engagement and organizational change initiatives. ### 6. Strategic Advisory Support - Provide analytical and operational support to the CDO and Data Office. - Contribute to strategic initiatives related to: - Data Governance - Data Management - Data Culture - Data Transformation - AI Readiness - Perform additional analyses and initiatives as assigned by the CDO. ### Requirements ## Required Qualifications ### Education - Bachelor's degree in Information Management, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Business Analytics, or a related discipline. - Relevant certifications in Data Governance, Data Management, Metadata Management, or MDM are an advantage…