Senior Data Governance Specialist

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Rituals is looking for a Senior Data Governance Specialist to translate business reality into practical data governance practices, acting as a bridge between business teams and the central governance function. You’ll co-develop the governance framework, onboard data owners, run training, and champion a data minded culture across a global retailer. To succeed, bring 5+ years in data governance or related areas, an HBO/WO degree, strong knowledge of data ownership, quality, metadata and classification, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. Emphasize hands-on experience with governance tooling and change management, plus examples of measurable improvements you drove. Apply via our website with a tailored note; email applications are not considered, expect a recruiter contact within 10 days, and be prepared for interviews and an online assessment at Rituals Amsterdam.

Job Description

As our Senior Data Governance Specialist, you play a key role in helping Rituals manage data as a strategic asset. You translate business knowledge into practical and effective data governance practices, ensuring governance frameworks, tooling, and ways of working are aligned with real business needs, processes, and systems.

In this role, you act as an important bridge between business teams and the central data governance function. You help strengthen the data ownership model, support data quality improvements, and contribute to a culture where accountability, transparency, and governance-minded thinking are embedded across the organisation.

You are part of the Control & Analytics Department and the Central Data Governance Team, reporting to the Head of Reporting & BI. You will work closely with colleagues across all business departments and the Tech & Data Department.

YOUR ACCOUNTABILITIES

As Senior Data Governance Specialist, you will:

• co-develop and validate the data governance framework, tooling, and organisational structure together with the Data Governance Implementation Manager
• ensure governance initiatives are practical, business-focused, and aligned with operational processes
• use your knowledge of products, processes, and systems to guide decisions around data definitions, classifications, ownership, and governance structures
• support the onboarding and continuous development of data owners across the organisation
• organise training sessions and help build a strong data governance community
• provide constructive feedback on governance design and tooling to improve feasibility, usability, and adoption
• act as a data governance ambassador, creating engagement and buy-in from stakeholders at all levels
• collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to support the end-to-end adoption of data governance practices

In this role, your impact is significant. You contribute directly to the successful implementation and adoption of data governance policies, frameworks, and tooling across Rituals. By bringing practical business input into governance strategy and design, you support Rituals’ long-term data ambition while helping improve data quality, reduce risk, and strengthen organisational readiness.

Qualifications

You are a strong connector who understands both business reality and the value of good data governance. You know how to bring people along, challenge ideas constructively, and translate complexity into practical actions. You are comfortable working across functions and levels, and you enjoy building structure, ownership, and long-term impact.

You also have:

• an HBO/WO (Bachelor/Master) degree, preferably in Business Administration, Data Science, or Information Management
• at least 5 years of relevant work experience
• experience in data management, data governance, and change management
• practical knowledge of data governance topics such as data ownership, data quality, metadata, and classification
• strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and educate stakeholders at all levels
• strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and the confidence to challenge ideas constructively
• experience in training, facilitation, and community building
• stakeholder engagement skills that help drive cultural and behavioural change
• familiarity with data management tools, business processes, and systems; this is a plus
• be open to gain strong knowledge of Rituals’ products, services, systems, and internal culture

This is an exciting opportunity to play an important role in shaping and embedding data governance across Rituals. You will work in a highly visible position with broad exposure across the business, where your expertise will help connect people, processes, and data in a meaningful way.

If you are passionate about strengthening data ownership, improving governance adoption, and building a more data-aware organisation, this role offers the opportunity to make a real and lasting impact.

Additional Information

YOUR PATH TO A NEW CAREER 

Grow with us! The next steps are: 

• Apply via our website (please make sure you meet the requirements and tell us why you apply) 
• Our recruiter will contact you within 10 working days. 
• An introductory meeting at at our Central Head Office in Amsterdam follows.  
• You do an online assessment. 
• You have the second interview at our Central Head Office in Amsterdam. 
• In the event of a positive outcome, you will receive a proposal with the terms of employment. 

Any questions? Recruitment is happy to speak to you via  [email protected]. Please note that applications via e-mail are not taken into consideration.