Data Governance Management Consultant - City of Toronto, Toronto

The Opportunity

Join the City of Toronto's Parks & Recreation division, one of the largest divisions dedicated to maintaining our common grounds and natural spaces where Torontonians connect, play, and explore. As a Management Consultant specializing in Data Governance within the Research and Analytics team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our services.

This unique opportunity involves providing expert consulting services to senior management and key stakeholders. Your focus will be on driving Parks & Recreation priorities, aligning them with broader corporate goals in areas such as data strategy development and planning, business planning, performance measurement reporting, and business process re-engineering. You will contribute to organisational design, program review, and service improvement, fostering significant change management across the division and the City organisation.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

As a Management Consultant (Data Governance), your daily activities will involve a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on implementation, and collaborative engagement across various data initiatives. You will be instrumental in fostering a data-driven culture and ensuring robust data management practices.

• Lead the development and implementation of frameworks, policies, and procedures for Parks & Recreation data governance.
• Conduct research and consultations to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and organisational priorities in data management.
• Provide consulting services on data governance, integration, and analytics, actively promoting a data-driven culture.
• Advise senior leadership on data policies and performance strategies, driving divisional goals through strategic planning and data accountability frameworks.
• Conduct assessments and prepare reports on organisational effectiveness and data governance maturity.
• Develop systems and tools to support informed decision-making and reporting for senior management and the City Council.
• Ensure effective collaboration with internal branches to maintain accurate metadata documentation and manage risks related to policy and data collection.
• Lead and/or support cross-departmental teams in developing and implementing policies, operational improvements, and internal controls.
• Manage data strategy and data accountability, advising on data management projects to ensure alignment with divisional goals and budgets.
• Build cooperative relationships within and outside the organisation to ensure successful project delivery and foster innovation.
• Guide day-to-day work, mentor, and coach teammates in data-related practices.
• Research and analyse trends in data governance, providing expert advice on new techniques and their applicability to organisational goals.
• Maintain professional connections to stay updated on industry best practices in data management and analytics.
• Represent the division in meetings, networks, and events, presenting data-driven insights and fostering discussion.
• Provide subject matter expertise to internal and external stakeholders, contributing to informed decision-making and strategic development.
• Understand and translate the relationship between business accountability and data accountability.

Qualifications

We are seeking a thought leader with deep expertise in data policy, analytics, and management. You should possess a strong understanding of data governance and architecture, coupled with extensive experience in leading the development of policies, strategies, and frameworks. Excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills are essential for engaging diverse stakeholders across Parks & Recreation and the broader City organisation.

• A degree in computer science, geography, engineering, data analytics, political science or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Considerable experience leading data governance, data strategy development, or data management planning with a strong understanding of data integration, data architecture, and data analytics.
• Considerable experience executing business process transformation and developing strategies, frameworks or roadmaps related to various aspects of data governance.
• Considerable experience in project management, relationship management, and balancing a variety of stakeholder interests (i.e. political, community, and City staff).
• Experience in coaching and mentoring staff in business analytics, metadata documentation, and data governance principles.
• A creative collaborator, who is able to manage ambiguity, adapt to a changing workload and demonstrate composure under pressure/stressful conditions.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to multitask, effectively prioritise responsibilities and produce results.
• Excellent written, oral, and visual communication skills with an ability to convey complex concepts to lay audiences at all levels in the organisation.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in handling matters of confidential, proprietary or sensitive nature as they relate to other senior staff, public and personnel matters.
• Strong analytical, conceptual, problem-solving/negotiation and the ability to generate creative alternatives to identified issues.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills to execute/manage multiple and competing deadlines, and to facilitate the implementation of projects within established timeframes.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to establish positive working relationships, manage through influence, develop solutions, drive change and interact and communicate effectively with divisional and agency staff.
• Strong team leadership skills in mentoring, coaching, and facilitating an environment in which team members can thrive.