Data Steward

Job Overview

The Data Steward plays a critical role in managing and ensuring the quality, integrity, and security of organizational data within IT and operations environments. This position involves collaborating closely with data owners, IT teams, and business units to establish data governance standards, monitor compliance, and support data lifecycle management. The Data Steward is responsible for maintaining accurate metadata, resolving data issues, and facilitating data accessibility while adhering to regulatory requirements and industry best practices. This role requires a detail-oriented professional who can balance technical knowledge with strong communication skills to support data-driven decision-making across the organization.

Organizational Impact

The Data Steward plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and security of organizational data, which is foundational to informed decision-making and operational efficiency. By maintaining high-quality data standards and facilitating compliance with regulatory requirements, this role supports the organization’s strategic objectives and risk management efforts. In the operations and IT context, the Data Steward enables seamless data governance across departments, enhancing collaboration and driving data-driven initiatives that improve service delivery and operational performance.

Key Systems

A Data Steward typically works with data governance platforms, master data management (MDM) systems, and data quality tools such as Informatica, Collibra, or Talend. They also utilize enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems like SAP or Oracle, customer relationship management (CRM) software such as Salesforce, and data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI. Additionally, familiarity with database management systems (DBMS) including SQL Server, Oracle DB, or cloud-based solutions like AWS and Azure data services is essential. Task and project management tools such as Jira or Microsoft Project may also be used to coordinate data stewardship activities.

Inputs

A Data Steward typically receives a variety of data-related inputs including raw datasets, data quality reports, compliance guidelines, data governance policies, and requests for data access or corrections. These inputs often arrive through enterprise data management systems, email communications, collaboration platforms, and direct requests from business units or IT teams. The role requires reviewing data from multiple sources such as operational databases, data warehouses, and external data feeds, ensuring that the information aligns with organizational standards and regulatory requirements.

Outputs

The outputs of a Data Steward include validated and cleansed datasets, data quality improvement reports, updated data governance documentation, and compliance audit records. They also generate data access permissions, issue resolution summaries, and training materials for data users. These deliverables are typically shared via enterprise data platforms, email, and collaboration tools, ensuring stakeholders across IT and operations have reliable, accurate, and compliant data to support decision-making and operational efficiency.

Activities

- Manage and maintain data quality and integrity across various IT and operational systems.

- Define and enforce data governance policies and standards in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

- Monitor data usage and compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

- Collaborate with data owners and IT teams to resolve data issues and discrepancies.

- Conduct regular audits and data validation exercises to ensure accuracy and completeness.

- Support data lifecycle management including data creation, storage, archiving, and deletion.

- Facilitate training and awareness programs on data governance best practices.

- Document data definitions, metadata, and data lineage to support transparency and traceability.

- Assist in the implementation of data management tools and technologies.

- Provide reports and insights on data quality metrics to senior management.

Recommended Items

- Comprehensive data governance framework documentation tailored to IT and operations.

- Training modules on data stewardship principles, data privacy regulations, and compliance standards.

- Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for data quality monitoring and issue resolution.

- Templates for data quality reports, audit checklists, and data issue tracking logs.

- Access to data management and governance software tools.

- Guidelines on regulatory requirements relevant to data handling and protection.

- Onboarding materials detailing company-specific data architecture and systems.

- Collaboration platforms for cross-departmental communication and issue escalation.

Content Example

- Data quality reports and dashboards tracking accuracy, completeness, and consistency of datasets

- Data governance policies and standards documentation tailored to IT and operations environments

- Metadata catalogs and data dictionaries defining data elements, lineage, and usage guidelines

- Issue logs and remediation plans for data anomalies or compliance gaps

- Training materials and communication briefs for data users on stewardship responsibilities and best practices

- Audit and compliance reports related to data handling and regulatory adherence

- Data access request forms and approval workflows ensuring secure and appropriate data usage

Sample Event-Driven Tasks

- Responding to data quality alerts triggered by automated monitoring systems indicating anomalies or inconsistencies

- Investigating and resolving data discrepancies reported by business units or IT teams during operational processes

- Updating data governance documentation and policies following changes in regulatory requirements or internal standards

- Coordinating with IT to remediate data security incidents or unauthorized access attempts detected by security systems

- Reviewing and approving data access requests when new projects or operational needs arise

- Participating in root cause analysis sessions after data breaches or compliance audit findings

- Collaborating with data owners to implement corrective actions after data validation failures during system integrations

Sample Scheduled Tasks

- Conduct weekly data quality audits to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency across enterprise data systems.

- Prepare and distribute monthly data governance reports to stakeholders highlighting data issues, resolutions, and compliance status.

- Schedule and lead regular data stewardship meetings with cross-functional teams to review data policies and address ongoing data management challenges.

- Perform routine validation of data entries in key operational databases to comply with regulatory standards and internal policies.

- Update and maintain metadata repositories and data dictionaries on a bi-weekly basis to reflect current data definitions and usage.

- Coordinate quarterly training sessions for data users on data governance best practices and compliance requirements.

- Monitor and report on adherence to data privacy regulations and corporate data security protocols on a scheduled basis.

Sample Infill Tasks

- Collaborate with IT teams to develop and refine automated data quality monitoring tools and dashboards.

- Participate in cross-departmental projects aimed at improving data integration and interoperability across systems.

- Review and update data stewardship policies and procedures to align with evolving industry standards and regulatory changes.

- Engage in professional development activities such as webinars, certifications, or workshops focused on data governance, data privacy, and emerging data management technologies.

- Assist in the design and implementation of data remediation plans for identified data quality issues.

- Conduct benchmarking studies to compare organizational data governance practices with industry leaders and recommend improvements.

- Support the creation of user guides and training materials to enhance data literacy across the organization.