One of our top clients, a well-established Japanese company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, is currently looking for a Data Governance Lead to drive company-wide data governance and accelerate data-driven decision-making and AI adoption.
This is a fully remote position, and you can work from anywhere in Japan.Foreign employees are also allowed to work remotely from their home country for up to six months per year.Originally known for its strong foundation in consumer digital services, the company has successfully expanded into high-impact domains such as Healthcare, Fintech, Digital Content, and Education/DX, providing a wide range of services used by millions of consumers.
As data becomes an increasingly important strategic asset, the company is strengthening its organization to ensure that data is not only properly governed and protected, but also effectively leveraged to create business value.
This role will lead cross-functional data governance initiatives across multiple businesses and group companies, working closely with management, business teams, engineers, legal, and security stakeholders.
You will play a key role in establishing the frameworks, processes, and organizational culture required to support trusted data-driven decision-making and the growing use of AI and Generative AI across the organization.
About the Role
We are looking for a Data Governance Lead responsible for designing and driving company-wide data governance strategies, policies, and operating models.
Rather than focusing only on compliance and data protection, this position aims to create an environment where high-quality, trusted data can be safely and effectively used for business decision-making, new services, and AI initiatives.
You will work across organizational boundaries to establish data ownership, improve data quality and discoverability, develop governance processes, and promote a stronger data-driven culture.
Responsibilities
Data Strategy & Governance
- Develop and drive company-wide data governance policies, roadmaps, and operating models
- Define roles and responsibilities for data owners, data stewards, and other key stakeholders
- Design decision-making and governance processes across multiple business units and group companies
- Establish frameworks that balance effective data utilization with appropriate governance and risk management
Data Quality & Data Management
- Identify opportunities to leverage data based on business needs and support their implementation
- Promote data standardization, metadata management, data catalogs, and master data management
- Define data quality metrics and establish processes for monitoring, visualization, and continuous improvement
- Create mechanisms that enable stakeholders to make decisions based on reliable and consistent data
- Improve data discoverability, accessibility, and usability across the organization
AI & Generative AI Governance
- Establish policies for data quality, access control, privacy, and accountability for AI and Generative AI use cases
- Design governance processes that enable innovation while appropriately managing data and AI-related risks
- Collaborate with business and technical teams to connect emerging technologies and AI use cases with tangible business value
- Support the development of trusted data foundations required for future AI initiatives
Compliance & Risk Management
- Develop data usage, consent management, and data lifecycle policies in accordance with applicable privacy regulations
- Collaborate with legal, security, and business teams on data-related risk assessments and mitigation
- Support audits and develop internal guidelines and governance standards
- Monitor governance processes and continuously improve their effectiveness
Cross-functional Leadership & Data Culture
- Drive initiatives involving management, business, planning, engineering, legal, and security stakeholders
- Promote education and awareness around data governance and responsible data utilization
- Help establish a company-wide data-driven culture
- Identify operational challenges and continuously improve governance processes
Why Join
Data is becoming a critical business asset supporting decision-making, product development, service improvement, and AI adoption.
In this position, you will have the opportunity to go beyond traditional compliance-focused data governance and build mechanisms that allow the organization to generate real business value from its data.
You will be able to:
- Contribute directly to company-wide data strategy and data-driven transformation
- Balance data protection and governance with business growth and innovation
- Work with data across diverse businesses, including healthcare and consumer digital services
- Help establish the data foundations and governance required for next-generation AI and Generative AI
- Collaborate directly with management, business teams, engineers, legal, and security stakeholders
- Build governance mechanisms such as data ownership, data catalogs, quality management, and consent management from an early stage
- Play a central role in developing a sustainable data-driven culture across the organization
Requirements
Must-have Skills
- Professional experience in Data Governance, Data Management, or Data Platforms
- Experience planning and driving cross-functional projects involving both business and technical stakeholders
- Strong stakeholder management, communication, and coordination skills
- Knowledge of data quality, data standardization, metadata management, or related data management practices
- Ability to work proactively, identify organizational challenges, and drive initiatives independently
- Japanese: business level
Preferred Skills
- Knowledge or practical experience with DAMA-DMBOK, CDMP, or related data management frameworks
- Experience establishing or operating data owner / data steward models or data governance organizations
- Knowledge of privacy regulations, consent management, information security, and data protection
- Experience working with healthcare data or managing data across multiple services or group companies
- Experience implementing or operating data catalogs, Master Data Management (MDM), or data quality management tools
- Knowledge or experience with Microsoft Fabric, Azure, Databricks, or similar modern data platforms
- Experience designing or operating AI / Generative AI governance frameworks
- Experience working in English in a professional environment
Ideal Candidate Profile
We are looking for someone who:
- Thinks proactively and takes ownership of initiatives
- Is interested in continuously learning new technologies and data management practices
- Enjoys collaborating across different teams and functions
- Can translate business challenges into practical data governance initiatives
- Has a strong sense of responsibility and execution toward achieving organizational goals
Benefits
Benefits Employment Type:
Full-time
Working Hours:
Flextime system (no core time)
Work Style:
Fully remote
Salary and Conditions:
Up to 6.5 million yen
Salary: 650万円
