DATA MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

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Data Managers are responsible for helping organisations manage, improve and use their data more effectively.

They often sit at the centre of data governance, data quality, data ownership, reporting processes, documentation, compliance and day-to-day data operations. Depending on the organisation, a Data Manager may lead a team, own data standards, improve data processes, support governance frameworks or make sure business-critical data is accurate, accessible and trusted.

This Data Manager job description guide is designed to help employers define the role clearly and help candidates understand the responsibilities, skills and experience commonly expected in data management jobs.

A Data Manager is responsible for managing data processes, standards, quality and governance across an organisation.

The role can involve setting data policies, improving data quality, supporting data ownership, managing reporting processes, documenting data assets and helping teams use data consistently and responsibly.

Data Managers often work closely with data governance teams, data analysts, data engineers, business intelligence teams, compliance teams, technology teams and senior stakeholders.



The exact responsibilities can vary depending on the size and maturity of the organisation. In some businesses, a Data Manager may be hands-on with data quality, reporting and documentation. In larger organisations, the role may focus more on governance frameworks, data ownership, stakeholder management and team leadership.

A Data Manager may be responsible for:

• managing data processes, standards and documentation
• improving data quality, accuracy and consistency
• supporting data governance frameworks and policies
• defining data ownership and stewardship responsibilities
• monitoring data quality issues and agreeing remediation plans
• maintaining data dictionaries, glossaries and metadata
• supporting master data management processes
• helping teams understand and use data correctly
• managing reporting, dashboards or business intelligence processes
• working with data engineers and analysts to improve data flows
• supporting compliance, privacy and regulatory requirements
• improving how data is captured, stored, shared and maintained
• leading data management projects or improvement initiatives
• managing data management, governance or quality teams
• communicating data issues, risks and opportunities to stakeholders

A strong Data Manager usually combines data governance knowledge, operational discipline, stakeholder management and practical data understanding.

Common Data Manager skills include:

• data governance
• data quality
• data stewardship
• metadata management
• master data management
• data standards and documentation
• reporting and analytics understanding
• SQL or data querying knowledge
• data lineage
• data catalogues
• business process understanding
• stakeholder management
• regulatory and compliance awareness
• privacy and data protection understanding
• project management
• communication
• problem-solving
• leadership
• commercial awareness
• attention to detail
  
  

The exact skill set will depend on the role. A hands-on Data Manager may need stronger reporting, SQL and data quality experience. A senior Data Manager may need stronger governance, leadership, operating model and stakeholder management experience.

Data Managers may work with a range of tools depending on the organisation’s data environment, reporting platforms and governance maturity.

Common tools and technologies may include:

• Data governance and catalogues: Collibra, Alation, Microsoft Purview, Informatica, Atlan
• Data quality: Informatica Data Quality, Talend, Experian Data Quality, Great Expectations, Soda
• Master data management: Informatica MDM, Semarchy, Reltio, Profisee
• Reporting and BI: Power BI, Tableau, Looker, Qlik
• Databases and querying: SQL, SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL
• Cloud and data platforms: Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, Snowflake, Databricks, BigQuery, Redshift, Synapse
• Documentation and workflow: Confluence, Jira, SharePoint, Excel
• Privacy and compliance: OneTrust, data protection and information governance tools
  
  

It is usually better to separate essential data management experience from desirable platform, governance or reporting tool knowledge.

There is no single route into data management.

Some Data Managers come from data governance, data quality, analytics, reporting, business intelligence, operations, compliance, information management or technology backgrounds.

Employers commonly look for experience in:

• managing data quality, governance or data operations
• improving data processes, standards or documentation
• working with data owners, stewards and business stakeholders
• understanding reporting, analytics or business intelligence processes
• using SQL, BI tools or data management platforms
• supporting regulatory, compliance or privacy requirements
• managing data issues, risks and remediation plans
• leading projects, initiatives or teams
• communicating data concepts to non-technical stakeholders
  
  

For senior Data Manager roles, employers may also look for experience designing governance frameworks, building data operating models, leading teams, managing budgets, influencing senior stakeholders and supporting wider data strategy.

We are looking for a Data Manager to help manage, improve and govern business-critical data across the organisation.

The successful candidate will work with data, technology, compliance and business teams to improve data quality, strengthen data processes and help ensure data is accurate, accessible and trusted.

You will be responsible for supporting data governance, managing data quality activity, improving documentation, working with data owners and helping teams use data consistently and responsibly.

Key Responsibilities

Manage data processes, standards and documentation.

Improve data quality, accuracy and consistency.

Support data governance frameworks and policies.

Define data ownership and stewardship responsibilities.

Monitor data quality issues and agree remediation plans.

Maintain data dictionaries, glossaries and metadata.

Support master data management processes.

Help teams understand and use data correctly.

Manage reporting, dashboards or business intelligence processes.

Work with data engineers and analysts to improve data flows.

Support compliance, privacy and regulatory requirements.

Improve how data is captured, stored, shared and maintained.

Lead data management projects or improvement initiatives.

Communicate data issues, risks and opportunities to stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience

Experience in data management, data governance, data quality, analytics, reporting or information management.

Understanding of data governance, data quality and data ownership.

Experience improving data processes, standards or documentation.

Experience working with business stakeholders, data owners or data stewards.

Understanding of reporting, analytics or BI processes.

SQL, BI or data querying experience.

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Understanding of privacy, compliance or regulatory requirements.

Desirable Skills

Experience with data governance or data catalogue tools such as Collibra, Alation, Microsoft Purview, Informatica or Atlan.

Experience with data quality or master data management tools.

Experience with cloud or data platforms such as Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, Snowflake, Databricks or BigQuery.

Experience managing data management, governance or quality teams.

Experience building data ownership, stewardship or operating models.

Experience supporting data strategy, transformation or regulatory programmes. 

Data Manager salaries and day rates can vary depending on location, seniority, industry, regulatory environment, technical depth, leadership responsibility and whether the role is permanent or contract.

Employers should benchmark salary before going to market, especially for roles requiring governance leadership, master data management, regulatory knowledge, data quality expertise, cloud platform experience or senior stakeholder management.

Candidates will often consider the full package, not just base salary. Remote flexibility, bonus, pension, benefits, team structure, data maturity, career progression and leadership support can all influence whether a role is attractive.



KDR can support employers with salary benchmarking and market insight before a search begins.

Hiring a Data Manager starts with understanding what kind of data management challenge the organisation needs to solve.

Before going to market, employers should be clear on:

• whether the role is focused on governance, quality, reporting, operations, MDM, stewardship, compliance or leadership
• what data problems the person needs to improve
• whether the role is hands-on, strategic or a blend of both
• which tools and platforms are essential
• what level of stakeholder influence is required
• whether the role includes team management
• how mature the organisation’s data environment is
• what salary or day rate range is realistic
• how the hiring process will assess practical data management ability

KDR helps organisations hire Data Managers across permanent, contract and senior roles. We can support role definition, candidate search, shortlist creation, interview coordination, salary advice and offer management.

Data Managers can move in several directions as their experience grows.

Some progress into Senior Data Manager, Data Governance Manager, Head of Data Management, Head of Data Governance, Director of Data or Chief Data Officer roles. Others move towards data quality, master data management, data architecture, analytics leadership, information governance or data strategy.

A typical career path may include:

Data Analyst, BI Analyst, Data Quality Analyst, Data Steward or Reporting Analyst

Data Manager

Senior Data Manager

Data Governance Manager

Head of Data Management

Head of Data Governance

Director of Data

Chief Data Officer



Career progression often depends on governance knowledge, stakeholder influence, leadership ability, understanding of data platforms and the ability to improve how data is managed across the organisation.