Data Governance Lead

MDW Associates is seeking a Data Governance Lead to establish and maintain governance for MDW-supported data and analytics platforms. This role ensures analytics capabilities are requirements-driven, traceable, tested, and managed through structured governance and change control processes. The Data Governance Lead works closely with Program Management, IT, data engineers, and analysts to maintain reliable, secure, and auditable analytics environments. This position is fully remote, with a preference for candidates within commuting distance of Redstone Arsenal, AL.

The Data Governance Lead may perform a combination of some or all of the following duties:

Platform Governance and Control:

• Develop and maintain governance frameworks including SOPs, roles (RACI), approval workflows, and documentation repositories.
• Ensure platform configurations and operating procedures are controlled and properly documented.

Requirements, Traceability, and Acceptance:

• Facilitate and document analytics requirements including data sources, transformations, outputs, access, and retention.
• Maintain traceability from requirements through implementation, testing, and approvals.

Change Control and Release Governance:

• Manage intake, review, and approval of platform changes such as new data feeds, pipeline updates, and dashboard modifications.
• Conduct impact assessments and coordinate controlled releases while maintaining configuration baselines and release logs.

Verification & Documentation:

• Develop verification plans and review evidence for high-impact changes.
• Maintain version control and documentation for analytics artifacts, datasets, dashboards, and procedures.

Incident Management:

• Investigate data quality issues, pipeline failures, reporting discrepancies, and access problems.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Audit Support:

• Maintain documentation and evidence supporting governance, traceability, and controlled change management.
• Support internal and external audits and reviews.

Tools / Environment:

• Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Ticketing/workflow systems for change and incident management
• Analytics and BI platforms, cloud data services, and data pipeline tools

Required Experience/Skills:

• Experience governing software, analytics, or data systems in regulated or audit-sensitive environments.
• Strong documentation discipline and experience with change control processes
• Experience performing incident investigation and root cause analysis.
• Familiarity with analytics delivery environments (dashboards, pipelines, data quality controls) preferred.

Company Description

Incorporated in 2012, MDW is a small business headquartered in McLean, VA with offices in Huntsville, AL. We provide Federal government clients with consulting, management services, advisory and assistance services, decision support, strategic planning, process planning and improvement, task execution and metrics analysis. Our mission is to make our clients more successful by providing honest assessments, exceptional analysis, prudent advice, direct communication, and hard work.

Our core capabilities include:

• Strategic Planning
• Cost Estimating
• Budget Programming and Justification
• Budget Execution
• Acquisition Management
• Financial Systems Support & Integration

MDW Associates, LLC ("MDW") is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, covered veteran status, mental or physical disability, pregnancy or any other unlawful basis unrelated to the ability to do the job. MDW seeks to employ talented, ethical, and entrepreneurial-minded persons. Our applicants and employees are protected from discrimination as required by Federal law.

Additional Information

We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits and compensation package for our employees, including but not limited to:

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Group Life Insurance/Long Term Disability/Short Term Disability
• Retirement/401(k)
• Flexible Leave Policy