Principal, Data Governance & Management

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

·       Runner First  

We act in the best interest of the runner

·       Word is Bond 

We do what we say we’ll do

·       Champion Heart  

We give our all in everything we do  

·       There is no “I” in Run

We stay generous with our humanity

·       Keep Moving

We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement — because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.   

Your Job:

Data fuels everything from strategic decision-making to the creation of innovative solutions for our customers. Our Data Governance team plays a pivotal role in ensuring this valuable resource is accurate, secure, and ethically managed. As part of our mission to become a truly data-driven organization, we’re building a world-class data governance program to establish trust in data, drive business growth, and protect our enterprise. This is your opportunity to lead the charge, setting the foundation for a function that will empower our business for years to come.

The Principal, Data Governance & Management will design, lead, and oversee the enterprise-wide data governance program. You will develop policies, standards, and processes to ensure high-quality, secure, and compliant data that aligns with business goals. You’ll collaborate across departments to establish a culture of accountability and ownership around data while providing leadership to a growing team of governance professionals. Key deliverables include creating and operating a data governance framework, building a data stewardship network, operationalizing data policies, and driving adoption of governance principles across the organization. In this role, you’ll partner closely with business leaders, IT, and analytics teams to create a sustainable program that balances business agility with risk management. Additionally, you’ll oversee governance-related vendor and budget management, ensuring cost-efficient, scalable solutions.

If you are passionate about driving enterprise transformation through innovative data practices and exceptional leadership, this role offers the chance to define the future of data governance in our organization. Join us and make a lasting impact!

• People Management:
• Lead, manage, and direct a team of governance professionals, providing mentorship and career development opportunities
• Hold self and team members accountable for work assignments, delivery, and adherence to timelines
• Data Management & Governance:
• Participate in the building of, and lead the execution of, a long-term data governance strategy aligned with enterprise priorities
• Define, maintain / evolve, and own the organization’s data governance framework, including policies, standards, and operational processes
• Own and convene data governance groups, driving alignment and adherence across business and technology leaders
• Plan and oversee the community of data stewards, equipping them with resources, training, and guidance to fulfill their roles effectively
• Partner with legal, compliance, and risk management teams to ensure adherence to data privacy regulations and ethical guidelines
• Define roles and responsibilities across the organization for data ownership and stewardship accountability
• Stakeholder & Change Management:
• Trusted advisor to leadership, providing regular updates and actionable insights on the program’s progress and outcomes
• Influence and engage stakeholders at all levels to adopt and champion data governance principles
• Foster a change management mentality to accelerate adoption of governance policies and processes
• Communicate the business value of data governance to stakeholders, tailoring messaging to resonate with different audiences
• Lead workshops, training sessions, and presentations to educate teams on governance principles, tools, and standards
• Performance Measurement & Continuous Improvement:
• Define and track metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and maturity of data governance initiatives
• Establish a feedback loop to regularly assess and refine governance policies, processes, and tools.
• Perform periodic audits and assessments to ensure compliance with governance policies and standards
• Stay informed about emerging governance practices and innovate by integrating lessons learned from internal and external sources
• Technology Enablement and IT Collaboration:
• Collaborate with the data engineering, integrations team, and application owners to align governance requirements, policies with data pipelines, storage, and processing workflows
• Evaluate, recommend, implement, and manage tools and technologies, such as data catalogs, metadata management platforms, data observability tools, and data quality solutions, to automate workflows and support governance objectives
• Ensure governance-related tools and technologies integrate seamlessly with existing enterprise systems
• Budget & Vendor Management:
• Own and manage the budget for data governance initiatives, ensuring efficient use of financial resources
• Evaluate and oversee external vendor relationships, ensuring alignment with governance goals.
• Provide strategic recommendations for investments in new tools and technologies, ensuring scalability and ROI
• Operate against planned budget to ensure department and company goals are met; escalate variations early to ensure appropriate mitigations are put in place
• Key Accountabilities:
• Manage the day-to-day work of direct reports and provide leadership to the team
• Data governance program operates without friction and consistently
• Metrics / KPIs defined, measured, monitored, and communicated to ensure the effectiveness and maturity of the data governance program
• Embed data governance into the organization’s culture and daily operations
• Educating the organization at large on data governance and management principles
• Lead efforts to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with data management and usage

• Bachelor’s degree in information management, business, data science, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience required
• 10+ years in data governance, data management, or a related field, including 5+ years in a leadership role
• 7+ years in direct people management including work allocation and professional development
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, influencing executive stakeholders, and driving cultural change. Excellent interpersonal skills that inspire and build trust resulting in effective working relationships across the company
• Deep understanding of governance frameworks (e.g., DAMA-DMBOK), metadata management, data catalog / marketplace, and data quality tools
• Ability to plan, define, and own governance roadmaps that balance compliance with business needs
• Strong ability to analyze complex data challenges and direct practical, scalable solutions while communicating effectively with non-technical audiences
• Experience with budget ownership and vendor evaluation to maximize program impact
• Always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details and help wherever necessary
• Embraces and lives the Brooks values!

Compensation: The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $165,928 - $265,505 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  

Other:

Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families!

Benefits- including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance.

Paid Time Off- Brooks offers generous time off including five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, paid sick and parental leave.

Bonus-in addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.

Perks- including product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.

Location- You will spend 3 days per week in our Seattle offices, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person.

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.