Data & AI Governance Partner

Southern Water Worthing Southern Water is recruiting for the role of Data \& AI Governance Partner. This role helps shape how data and AI are managed, shared and reused across the organisation. It focuses on practical governance, better decisions and responsible innovation. Role details * Location: Worthing * Job type: Full time * Salary: £55,000 * Closing date: 17/09/2026 What you’ll do * Embed data and AI governance policies, standards and processes into everyday ways of working. * Support the use of Microsoft Purview and Databricks Unity Catalogue to improve discovery, ownership, classification and lineage. * Work with Data Owners, Data Stewards, Platform Engineers, BI Engineers and business teams to make governance practical and useful. * Help improve data quality, data model governance and lifecycle management. * Support responsible data sharing, open data governance and controlled reuse of trusted data products. * Help ensure AI-related data and assets are used responsibly, with appropriate transparency, accountability, safeguards and oversight. * Produce clear reporting and insight for senior stakeholders and governance committees. * Identify opportunities to simplify, improve and strengthen governance processes and tools. What they’re looking for * Experience supporting or implementing a data governance framework, operating model or set of governance processes. * A good understanding of data governance principles, such as data ownership, stewardship, metadata, data quality, cataloguing, lineage and lifecycle management. * The ability to translate complex requirements into clear, practical guidance. * Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills. * A collaborative approach and confidence working across business, data and technology teams. * An interest in responsible data sharing, open data, data reuse and AI governance. * A continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to spot opportunities and suggest practical solutions. * The ability to produce clear documentation, reports, standards or governance materials. Additional role information * Experience with Microsoft Purview, Databricks Unity Catalogue or similar data catalogue/governance tools is helpful. * Knowledge of DAMA-DMBOK or other data management frameworks is helpful. * Understanding of UK GDPR, data protection or information security principles is helpful. * A relevant qualification or certification, such as Microsoft Purview, CDMP or a related information/data management qualification, is helpful.