Data Governance (Data Stewardship, Privacy & Protection) Senior Manager

EY Ireland – Senior Manager, Data Governance (Data Stewardship, Privacy & Protection)

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Function: Risk Management (Internal)

Contract Type: Full-time

The Opportunity

EY Ireland is seeking an experienced Senior Manager in Data Governance to join its Risk Management function, leading the delivery of integrated data governance capabilities across data stewardship, data privacy, and data protection.

This role will be central to ensuring EY Ireland manages data as a trusted strategic asset, balancing value enablement (including AI and analytics) with robust governance, regulatory compliance, and data risk management.

You will operate in alignment with EY’s Data Stewardship Office (DSO) model, supporting the coordination of first-line data risk and control activities and ensuring consistent implementation of data protection policies across the firm.

Your Key Responsibilities

Lead Internal Data Governance Frameworks

• Implement enterprise-wide data governance frameworks encompassing:
• Data ownership and stewardship models
• Data quality, metadata, and lineage management
• Governance processes including monitoring, reporting, and controls
• Translate global frameworks, policies and standards into practical, scalable operating models within EY Ireland
• Support the development of consistent governance approaches across service lines and CBS functions

Integrate Data Stewardship, Privacy & Protection

• Drive alignment across:
• Data stewardship (accountability, lifecycle governance)
• Data privacy (GDPR and regulatory compliance)
• Data protection (security and risk control frameworks)
• Support implementation of integrated data risk frameworks, working across first-line operations and second-line Risk Management functions

Data Privacy & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead and enhance EY Ireland’s data privacy governance approach, including:
• GDPR compliance and personal data handling frameworks
• Data classification and appropriate handling of sensitive data
• Oversight of data usage in line with regulatory and ethical requirements
• Enable responsible use of data in AI and emerging technologies, in line with policy and regulatory expectations

Data Protection & Risk Management

• Oversee the effective operation of data protection and security controls, including:
• Access management and data segmentation
• Data retention, encryption, and secure disposal
• Data risk identification, mitigation, and monitoring
• Collaborate with Information Security and Technology teams to ensure alignment with enterprise security policies and standards
• Oversee the firm’s data incident management processes, including:
• Leading the response to data breaches, including notification to the Data Protection Commission (DPC) and affected parties
• Maintaining and testing the data breach response plan and ensure lessons learned are implemented

Governance, Oversight & Reporting

• Establish and maintain governance forums, reporting, and performance metrics for data governance and data risk
• Provide reporting and insights on data governance effectiveness, risks, and compliance
• Support internal reviews, monitoring activities, and regulatory readiness

Internal and External Stakeholder Engagement & Enablement

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders across service lines and enablement functions
• Drive awareness, adoption, and cultural change in relation to data governance and data risk
• Support the development of training, guidance, and playbooks to embed governance practices across EY Ireland
• Lead and / or support communications and reporting to external stakeholders

Skills and Attributes for Success

• Ability to bridge strategy and execution, translating governance frameworks into operational practice
• Strong leadership capability across risk, legal, technology, and business teams
• Experience driving organisation-wide change and accountability frameworks
• Strong communication and influencing skills with senior internal stakeholders
• Proven ability to effectively liaise with a broad range of external stakeholders including regulators, clients and suppliers

To Qualify for the Role, You Must Have

• Significant experience (typically 8–12+ years) in:
• Data governance / data management
• Data privacy (e.g. GDPR programmes)
• Data protection / information security
• Proven track record delivering enterprise-scale data governance or data risk initiatives within complex organisations

Critical Requirement: Technical + Operational Expertise

This role requires a balanced mix of technical depth and highly practical operational delivery capability.

Technical capability

• Experience with data governance tooling
• Strong understanding of:
• Data architecture, data models, and lineage
• Data classification, tagging, and data quality frameworks

Operational delivery experience

• Demonstrated experience embedding governance into live organisational processes
• Designing and / or embedding and operating:
• Governance processes and controls
• Data risk frameworks and reporting structures
• Driving adoption, accountability, and behavioural change across functions
• Candidates must demonstrate the ability to move from governance design to sustained operational execution within the firm.

Ideally, You’ll Also Have

• Experience in AI governance or data governance in AI-enabled environments
• Familiarity with professional services or complex matrix organisations
• Relevant certifications (e.g. CIPP/E, CIPM, CDMP, CISSP)
• Familiarity with ISO 27001, data governance frameworks, and risk management practices

About EY 

As a global leader in Assurance, Tax, Transaction and Advisory Services, we’re using the finance products, expertise, and systems we’ve developed to build a better working world. That starts with a culture that believes in giving you the training, opportunities, and creative freedom to make things better. Whenever you join, however long you stay, the exceptional EY experience lasts a lifetime. 

What working at EY offers 

We offer a competitive remuneration package. Our comprehensive benefits package includes support for flexible working and career development, and with FlexEY you can select benefits that suit your needs: covering holidays, health and well-being, insurance, savings and a wide range of discounts, offers and promotions. 

 Plus, we offer: 

• Support and coaching from some of the most engaging colleagues around. 

• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career. 

• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that’s right for you. 

All our employees are given a benefits package which they can tailor to suit their individual preferences. Our range of benefits include: 

• Hybrid Working 

• Pension/Discounted Health Insurance 

• Web Doctor 

• Purchase of Additional Annual Leave 

• Free Gym Membership 

• Travel Pass 

• Maternity & Paternity Leave 

• Bike to Work Scheme 

• Referral Bonuses & Recognition Awards 

• Tech MBA paid by EY 

EY is committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We strive to achieve the right balance for our people, enabling us to deliver excellent client service whilst allowing you to build your career without sacrificing your personal priorities. While our client-facing professionals can be required to travel regularly, and at times be based at client sites, our flexible working arrangements can help you to achieve a lifestyle balance. 

Career Progression 

• When you join EY, you will be supported to ensure that you are enhancing your skills from day one. 

• Continuous learning, where you can develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next. 

• As you grow and develop here, you’ll discover opportunities to help customise your career journey, so that it’s as unique as you are - success is defined by you, we will provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way. 

• Transformative leadership, we will give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs. 

• Diverse and inclusive culture, you will be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs. 

• We have embraced Hybrid working at EY adding greater flexibility and autonomy to the roles of our employees. 

Inclusion & Diversity 

We hold a collective commitment to foster an environment where all differences are valued and respected, practices are equitable and everyone experiences a sense of belonging: Inclusion, diversity, and equity are part of who we are at EY. We believe that the highest-performing teams maximize the power of different perspectives and backgrounds. These teams are both diverse and inclusive and are willing to invite and learn from other perspectives. Our ability to include various viewpoints into our mindsets, behaviours and operations is fundamental to driving innovation, building strong relationships, and delivering the best solutions for our clients. 

We recognise the strength that comes from having a diverse workforce and building a culture where we support all our people to achieve their potential. You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations are offered at every stage of our recruitment process. 

If you can confidently demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible. 

Join us in building a better working world. That’s Why, EY. 

Apply now. 

IMPORTANT: Where Agency assistance is required, our Talent Team will engage directly with suppliers. CVs / Profiles should not be shared directly with Hiring Managers. Unsolicited CVs / Profiles supplied to EY by Recruitment Agencies will not be accepted for this role.