Why Join Us?
Alliance Automotive Group (AAG) is a leading automotive parts distributor serving independent aftermarket clients across Europe, with operations in 9 countries including France, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Poland.
As part of Genuine Parts Company, a global leader in automotive and industrial parts distribution, you will join a dynamic, international organization committed to growth, innovation, and operational excellence.
Role Purpose
The Head of Data Governance defines, leads, and implements the enterprise-wide data governance strategy to ensure data quality, compliance, security, accessibility, and business value creation across the organization.
Within a pan-European retail/distribution environment, this role drives the standardization of data governance practices across countries, business units, and functions.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Governance
* Define and maintain the enterprise data governance strategy
* Establish data governance frameworks, policies, standards, and RACI models
* Lead data governance councils and steering committees
Data Quality & Management
* Define enterprise data quality standards and KPIs
* Oversee data quality remediation and continuous improvement initiatives
* Lead master data management governance practices
Data Ownership & Operating Model
* Define and operationalize Data Owner, Data Steward, and Data Custodian roles
* Drive adoption of governance operating model across business domains
* Ensure accountability for data ownership within business functions
Compliance, Risk & Security
* Ensure compliance with relevant regulations (GDPR, AI Act, etc.)
* Partner with Security, Privacy, and Risk teams
* Oversee data classification and protection standards
Metadata & Data Catalog
* Implement and manage data catalog, lineage, and metadata frameworks
* Ensure critical data assets are documented and traceable
Transformation & Change Management
* Foster data culture and governance awareness across the enterprise
* Deliver training and enablement programs
* Lead organizational change related to data governance adoption
Candidate Profile
Experience
* 10+ years in data management / governance / strategy
* Strong experience in retail / FMCG / distribution / supply chain
* Experience in international / multi-country environments
Technical Skills
* Deep knowledge of data governance frameworks (DAMA-DMBOK, DCAM)
* Expertise in MDM, Data Quality, Metadata Management
* Hands-on experience with Collibra, Alation, Informatica, Ataccama, Purview
* Solid understanding of modern data architectures / cloud data platforms
Soft Skills
* Strong cross-functional leadership and executive influence
* Excellent structuring and prioritization abilities
* Strong communication and change management skills
* Business-oriented and pragmatic mindset
Typical KPIs
* % of data domains under formal governance
* Critical data quality scores
* Data catalog coverage/completeness
* % of appointed/active Data Owners and Stewards
* Reduction in data incidents/compliance issues