Data Governance Consultant

Data, research IT, and digital infrastructure are critical foundations for advancing science, innovation, and societal impact. In this context, we are seeking a Senior Data Governance Consultant: a senior role for someone who can maintain an overview of complex issues, provide direction for implementation, and ensure that Deltares’ data strategy is effectively integrated into the data platform. Does that sound interesting?

What to expect as a Senior Data Governance Consultant

At Deltares, research is the core of our data. It follows the FAIR principle, is available to internal and external users, and is scalable for HPC, cloud, and AI. You will be responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the Deltares data platform. You will ensure that the established data strategy, data governance (DAMA DMBOK), architecture, and infrastructure come together in working solutions that are used by the organization. The key question in your role is: how do we make this a reality, with lasting quality and coherence? In short, this is a challenging role in which you, so to speak, are in charge of implementing Deltares’ data vision.

Tasks:

• Translate the data strategy and governance frameworks
• Ensure data governance by design, explicitly based on the DAMA DMBOK principles
• Serve as the point of contact for platform and governance issues and escalations
• Proactively contribute insights and implement measures to further mature the data strategy
• Excellent training opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Working together

In this unique role, you will serve as a coordinating and connecting force, without formal hierarchical oversight. You move effortlessly between strategic frameworks, technical depth, and organizational reality. You will be part of the Innovations, Projects, and Data team. You will collaborate extensively with data engineers, DataOps, Data Owners, Data Stewards, and infrastructure engineers.

What we expect from you as a Senior Data Governance Consultant

You enjoy working with complex data landscapes and optimizing their design. In addition, we ask for:

• At least 5–7 years of relevant experience as a data architect, cloud/data engineer, or technical lead in a complex, preferably research- or knowledge-intensive environment.

Technical and subject-matter expertis:

• Demonstrable experience with multi‑cloud and hybrid environments (Azure, AWS, on‑prem)
• Knowledge of research data infrastructures, such as:
  • data repositories
  • data catalogs and metadata systems
  • data sharing services and API architectures
  • data lifecycle management (from experiment to archive)

Experience with:

• geospatial data infrastructures (STAC) and/or OGC standards (preferred)
• HPC environments and integration with cloud and AI compute (desirable)

Familiarity with architecture methodologies such as TOGAF and ArchiMate

Why work at Deltares?

You’ll be working in an inspiring environment that encourages innovation and professional development. In addition, your contributions will have a direct impact on research and advisory services addressing complex issues such as climate change, drought, and flooding.

In addition, Deltares offers:

• 34 vacation days based on a 40-hour workweek, ABP pension, wellness budget, mobility budget, and reimbursement for healthcare costs.
• Deltares offers a 12-month contract with the intention of converting it into a permanent contract. Our starting salary for a senior level 17 position is €5,200 gross per month based on a 40-hour workweek. The maximum salary in this scale is €8,012. Salary placement is based on your experience.
• A flexible work environment that prioritizes work-life balance. This position is available for 32 to 40 hours per week.
• And much more, described in detail on our career website.

This position is based in the Netherlands. Working remotely from another country is not possible.