Job Description

The Head of Data Engineering & Data Governance will play a key role in driving the architecture, implementation and governance of scalable, secure and high quality data solution. The role bridges two essential areas:

• Data Engineering (building scalable, efficient data pipelines and platforms), and
• Data Governance (ensuring data quality, compliance, and enterprise-wide trust in data).

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, ensure alignment between data engineering and governance policies, and support our transformation towards a modern Azure-based Lakehouse architecture with Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, and Denodo.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Strategy
  • Lead and grow teams accross Engineering and Governance
  • Define standards and strategies for enterprise-wide data processing and data governance
  • Act as a bridge between IT, data stewards, business users, and executive stakeholders
  • Collaborate closely with the CDO, architects, and business units to execute the data projects.

• Data Engineering Excellence
  • Design, build, and optimize robust data pipelines and Lakehouse architecture (Databricks, Azure).
  • Ensure data harmonization, transformation, and modeling aligned with reporting and analytics needs.
  • Oversee infrastructure performance, cost-efficiency, and secure deployment practices.
  • Drive implementation of DevOps/CI-CD practices (Terraform, GIT, ADO pipelines).

• Data Governance & Quality
  • Lead the implementation of Aperam's Data Governance Framework.
  • Own the corporate data catalog, data classification, lineage, and metadata management.
  • Define and enforce data quality standards, policies, and lifecycle rules.
  • Support business stewards in managing reference/master data and ensuring compliance.

• Risk, Compliance and Security
  • Ensure data security, privacy, and compliance with regulations (e.g., GDPR).
  • Embed information security strategy into data governance practices.
  • Recommend risk mitigation strategies for data usage and access.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Expertise:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills-able to engage stakeholders across all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a structured approach.
• Exceptional writing and documentation skills to create clear policies, standards, and specifications.
• Ability to embed data governance within business processes and systems.
• Capacity to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
• Adaptability, flexibility, and collaboration with technical and non-technical teams.

Required skills:

• Basic understanding of data systems, system architecture, and data warehouses.
• Experience in requirements gathering for data systems.
• Knowledge of data lifecycle management, data modeling, and master data management.
• Ability to define and document business requirements.
• Familiarity with database principles and terminology.
• Exposure to large-scale technical projects.
• Understanding of data governance frameworks and protocols.
• Strong interviewing and active listening skills to extract key information.

Desired skills:

• Certification or qualification in data governance or information management.
• Experience in records management or information management disciplines.
• Understanding of financial and accountancy terminology.
• Knowledge of IT security and data protection principles.
• Experience with system testing and test script development.
• Familiarity with Agile project management methodologies.
• Experience using Agile project management tools (e.g., Pivotal Tracker).

Willingness to travel to Aperam offices and other required locations.

About Us

Aperam is a global leader in stainless, electrical, and specialty steels, as well as recycling and renewables, serving customers in over 40 countries. Our business is structured into four segments: Stainless & Electrical Steel, Services & Solutions, Alloys & Specialties, and Recycling & Renewables.

We have a flat stainless and electrical steel production capacity of 2.5 million tonnes in Brazil and Europe, and we lead in alloys and high-value specialty products. Our industrial network includes 16 production facilities across Brazil, Belgium, France, the United States, India, and China. Aperam operates an integrated distribution, processing, and services network, with a unique ability to produce low-carbon stainless and specialty steels using biomass, stainless steel scrap, and high-performance alloys scrap.

Through BioEnergia, we produce charcoal from our own FSC®-certified forests, and with ELG - Aperam Recycling, a global leader in stainless steel and high-performance alloys recycling, we place sustainability at the core of our business, enabling our customers to thrive in the circular economy.

Join us and be part of a dynamic team where technology and innovation meets industrial transformation. Your talent and energy will help drive smarter, more sustainable solutions for a global company committed to be a leading value creator in the circular economy of infinite, world-changing materials.

Visit https://www.aperam.com/ to learn more - and let's build what's next, together.