Permanent Full Time

We are looking for a Data Governance Specialist to support and advance enterprise data governance practices at Canada Life. This role plays a key part in ensuring that data is governed, protected, and accessible, while enabling the business to confidently use data as a strategic asset.

As part of the Enterprise Data Governance team, you will work closely with business and technology stakeholders to operationalize governance practices across data access, data usage, retention & disposition, privacy, and metadata management. This is a hands-on role with growing ownership, where you will contribute to both execution and continuous improvement of governance capabilities.

What you will do

• Support and contribute to the development, maintenance, and evolution of data governance policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures, particularly across data access, usage, retention, and privacy.
• Execute and promote data governance adoption across the enterprise, partnering with business units, data stewards, and technology teams.
• Support and enforce data retention and disposition practices, ensuring compliance with Quebec Law 25 and enterprise policies.
• Contribute to the design and monitoring of data access, data usage, data retention controls, ensuring appropriate handling of sensitive and regulated data.
• Support data cataloging and metadata management activities, ensuring data assets are properly documented, classified, and discoverable.
• Work with stakeholders to maintain and enhance data catalog tools (e.g., Informatica, Collibra, Microsoft Purview), including business glossary, lineage, and metadata enrichment.
• Support privacy and data protection practices, including data classification, handling standards, and de-identification where required.
• Participate in defining requirements and onboarding use cases for the Connected Data Platform, enabling access to trusted data.
• Identify, analyze, and support remediation of data governance risks, issues, and gaps, particularly related to access, usage, and lifecycle.
• Provide guidance and hands-on support to stakeholders, translating governance requirements into clear, actionable practices.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, data governance processes, and stakeholder adoption.

What you will bring

• 3-6 years of experience in data governance, data management, or a related discipline.
• Strong working knowledge of core data governance domains, including:
• Data access and data usage
• Data retention and disposition
• Data privacy and protection
• Metadata management and data cataloging
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks, such as Quebec Law 25, PIPEDA, OSFI B-13 and OSFI E-21.
• Hands-on experience with data catalog tools such as Informatica, Collibra, or Microsoft Purview.
• Experience supporting metadata management, including business glossary, lineage, and data classification.
• Familiarity with handling sensitive data (PII / Protected data) and related governance controls.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both business and technical stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Reliability Status Security Clearance - this can only be completed with candidates who receive an offer of employment. This is a personal security status that is required as a condition of employment before an employee can gain access to Protected B information, assets or work sites as outlined by the Government of Canada website. The cost of submitting these checks will be covered by Canada Life.

What will set you apart

• Experience in financial services or insurance.
• Exposure to data lifecycle management frameworks (retention schedules, disposition controls).
• Experience supporting privacy, compliance, or risk programs.
• Data governance certification (e.g., CDMP, DGSP).

The base salary for this position is between $80,400 - $130,400 annually. This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation ( i.e. annual bonus, commission etc). If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, your recruiter will be able to discuss additional details of our total rewards program with you.

Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Requisition ID: 6369

Category: Digital Technology

Location: