Chief Data Officer

The Chief Data Officer will spearhead the development and institutionalization of the National Data Strategy, ensuring robust data governance frameworks that promote secure, responsible, and effective data use. This role involves establishing practical stewardship arrangements across various institutions while respecting the ongoing control and responsibilities of designated data custodians. The successful candidate will collaborate with multiple stakeholders to drive data sharing, interoperability, and adoption, while maintaining a strong focus on governance and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead the National Data Strategy and associated governance frameworks by translating strategic priorities into actionable policies, standards, and implementation plans.
- Define and enforce data ownership, stewardship arrangements, classification, quality, metadata, lineage, retention, and lifecycle standards, ensuring clear responsibilities and assurance mechanisms are in place.
- Coordinate efforts with ministries, provinces, regulators, and data custodians to facilitate secure data sharing and address barriers to interoperability and adoption.
- Collaborate with the Department of Public Information (DPI) and technology leaders to establish data exchange requirements, reference architectures, and shared registries, while maintaining focus on governance and stewardship.
- Develop proposals related to open data initiatives, controlled access, sensitive data handling, and cross-border data arrangements in partnership with Legal, Security, and other relevant authorities, adhering to applicable regulations and approvals.
- Partner with the AI Office to ensure data readiness, provenance, quality, and appropriate use of datasets that support AI systems.
- Build and lead the data governance team and institutional capabilities, establish maturity assessments, adoption metrics, and reporting mechanisms for data quality and governance risks.

Required Qualifications

- A Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Public Policy, or a related field is required. A relevant Master’s degree is preferred. All qualifications must meet the applicable recognition and equivalence standards set by the PDA.
- A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in data governance, architecture, strategy, or transformation, including senior leadership roles.
- Proven track record of establishing and embedding data governance frameworks across multiple business units, institutions, or jurisdictions, with demonstrable improvements in data quality, sharing, or utilization.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and providing strategic advice to executive decision-makers on data policy, investment, privacy, and operational trade-offs.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

- Experience leading complex data governance or transformation projects within consulting, professional services, or technology advisory environments is highly desirable. Equivalent leadership experience in public institutions, technology companies, regulated organizations, or specialist firms will also be considered.
- Familiarity with public-sector data stewardship, federated data exchange models, and the application of international data governance standards is advantageous.
- Strong competencies in data strategy and governance, stewardship, interoperability, privacy-aware design, institutional negotiation, change leadership, and executive judgment are essential for success in this role.

Applications are welcomed for a period of 15 days from the date of publication, with ongoing review until the position is filled. This is a unique opportunity to lead national efforts in data governance and strategy at a senior level, contributing to the secure and effective use of data across institutions.