Data Governance Specialist

About the Department

The Data Governance Specialist supports the MBTA’s Data Resource Group by coordinating enterprise-wide data cataloging, master data management, data quality, and data governance initiatives. This role manages the contextual data infrastructure needed to deliver accurate, trusted, and accessible data, overseeing cataloged data assets and scalable processes that improve data ingestion and usability across the organization. Working within the Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC), the Specialist helps design, implement, and maintain governance policies, standards, and frameworks that ensure data quality, integrity, and security. The position collaborates with data stewards, architects, and analytics teams to drive consistent data definitions, lineage, and catalog adoption, and monitors compliance, identifies improvement opportunities, and provides guidance on data-related issues to enable timely, data-driven decision-making across the MBTA.

Position Duties

• Data Catalog and Metadata Management:
  1. Configure and maintain the Data Catalog to automate metadata harvesting and data lineage tracking.
  2. Increase adoption of governed and cataloged data assets by business users.
  3. Collaborate with business units to define and manage metadata standards.
  4. Ensure data assets are well-documented, searchable, and accessible for analytics and business users.
• Data Governance and Stewardship Enablement: 
  1. Support Cloud Data Governance and Catalog (CDGC) to operationalize governance frameworks.
  2. Coordinate with data owners and stewards to ensure role clarity, stewardship workflows, and data certification processes.
  3. Monitor governance KPIs and create dashboards/reports on governance adoption.
• Data Quality Management: 
  1. Develop measurable data quality metrics across key departments. 
  2. Define, customize and configure Informatica Data Quality rules and institute consistent monitoring processes.
  3. Partner with business data owners and stewards to define data quality dimensions, thresholds, and remediation workflows.
  4. Provide insights and alerts for inconsistent data, data anomalies and integrity issues.
• Master Data Management:
  1. Assist in configuring and maintaining Informatica MDM for key divisions and departments (Operations, Administration, Safety and Capital data assets).
  2. Create a single, reliable "master" record for core business entities.
  3. Reduce duplication and inconsistencies through effective MDM practices.
  4. Ensure MDM integration with downstream operational systems, BI systems and analytics, 
• Collaboration and Evangelism: 
  1. Act as the bridge between Technology, Analytics teams, and business data owners and stewards to promote trusted data usage.
  2. Provide training and guidance to data owners, stewards, and analysts on leveraging Informatica tools.
  3. Champion adoption of data governance, metadata, and quality practices across the MBTA.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations.   See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions. 


Supervision

• No direct reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science, Information Management, Business Analytics, or related field.
• Two (2) years of experience with Informatica Data Catalog, Data Quality, Data Governance, Metadata Management, Master Data Management (MDM), and Data Marketplace.
• Two (2) years of experience in data governance, data management, or a related field. 
• Strong understanding of metadata management, data quality, governance, and master data concepts.
• Experience working with data stewards, data owners, and cross-functional teams to operationalize governance frameworks.
• Familiarity with relational databases, cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure, or Snowflake), and API integration.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to translate technical capabilities into business value. 
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve data governance issues.
• Knowledge of data management technologies and tools.

Substitutions

• A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement. 
• An associate’s degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience. 
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.

Other Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science, Information Management, Business Analytics, or related field.
• Three (3) years of experience with Informatica Data Catalog, Data Quality, Data Governance, Metadata Management, Master Data Management (MDM), and Data Marketplace.
• Five (5) years of experience in data governance, data management, or a related field.
• Informatica certifications (IDMC Data Governance, Data Quality, MDM, or Catalog).
• Experience in public sector, transportation, healthcare, or regulated industries.
• Familiarity with Tableau, Power BI, or other Business Intelligence platforms.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Data Management Professional, Certified Data Governance Professional).

Benefits

Employment Benefits at the MBTA

Full-Time Employees:

The MBTA offers comprehensive benefits packages. Types of benefits offered at the MBTA are subject to the union affiliation / Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of the position to which you apply. Benefits that may apply to your position include the following:

• Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life (basic and supplemental), and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Vacation, Personal Days, Sick Leave, and Holidays
• Retirement: Pension or deferred compensation 401(a), plus MBTA contributions
• Complimentary pass for travel on the MBTA transit system (bus, train, ferry, and Commuter Rail)
• Tuition Reimbursement (up to $10,000 per year)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for student loans
• Commuter Choice Parking Program: Pre-tax benefits for parking
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Pre-tax benefits for healthcare-related expenses
• Discounted tickets for concerts, movies, travel / vacation, etc. via TicketsAtWork.com
• Shopping discounts via GovX.com
• Verizon and AT&T service discounts
• And more...

Disclaimer:

The above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the MBTA, which may or may not apply to a specific position. This summary is not a contract and is not meant to change the provisions of union contracts or Authority policies and does not establish a binding practice. Please contact the assigned Recruiter directly or email [email protected] for more information.

The MBTA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerMassachusetts Bay Transportation AuthorityAddress 10 Park Plaza

Boston, Massachusetts, 02116 Phone(617) 222-3200
Website https://www.mbta.com