Data Steward Program Manager

Posting Number

STA00953PO25

Job Family

Operational Analysis

Job Function

Business Intelligence

USC Market Title

Business Intelligence Manager

Link to USC Market Title

Job Level

P3 - Professional

Business Title (Internal Title)

Data Steward Program Manager

Campus

Columbia

Work County

Richland

College/Division

Division of Information Technology

Department

IT Enterprise Applications

State Pay Band

7

Approved Starting Salary

$65,539

Advertised Salary Range

$65,539 - Salary is commensurate with experience

Location of Vacancy

Columbia, SC (on-site)

Part/Full Time

Full Time

Hours per Week

37.5

Work Schedule

Standard working schedule: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm, with 1 hour for lunch. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the Division of IT.

Basis

12 months

Job Search Category

Information Technology

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

We're looking for a Data Steward Program Manager to lead the university's data stewardship program—advancing data quality, governance, and accessibility across campus. You'll guide how institutional data is defined, shared, and protected, ensuring it supports strategic goals and regulatory standards.

As part of our Analytics & Data Governance team in the Division of IT, you'll collaborate with data stewards, business units, and governance committees to strengthen data integrity and promote a culture of accountability and transparency.

What You'll Do

• Lead and grow the university's Data Stewardship Program.
• Partner with data stewards, IT, and governance leaders to improve data quality and accessibility.
• Develop and maintain data glossaries, definitions, and stewardship documentation.
• Coordinate training and engagement for data stewards across departments.
• Track program outcomes and report progress to university leadership.
• Champion data governance tools and best practices that support collaboration and compliance.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent education, certification, or training).
• Knowledge of data governance principles, stewardship frameworks, and compliance standards (FERPA, HIPAA).
• Strong skills in communication, facilitation, and project management.
• Proficiency with data governance and collaboration tools (e.g., Collibra, Purview, Smartsheet).

Bonus Points For

• Master's degree in Data Governance, IT, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education or large enterprise data environments.
• Certifications like CDMP, DCAM, PMP, or Agile.
• Familiarity with tools like Collibra, Informatica, or Microsoft Purview.

Why Join USC?

At the University of South Carolina, you'll be part of a collaborative team committed to supporting world-class education, research, and service. This role offers the opportunity to shape how applications serve our university community and directly impact the student, faculty, and staff experience.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

Requires a bachelor's degree in a job-related field and 3 or more years of job-related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job-related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Data Governance, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
• Experience working in higher education or a large, complex organization.
• Familiarity with data governance tools such as Collibra, Informatica, or similar platforms.
• Certification in data governance (e.g., CDMP, DCAM) or project management (e.g., PMP, Agile).

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of data governance principles, stewardship frameworks, and data lifecycle management.
• Understanding of institutional data policies, privacy, and compliance standards (FERPA, HIPAA, etc.).
• Experience coordinating data stewardship programs, training, or certification initiatives.
• Ability to develop and maintain data definitions, glossaries, and stewardship documentation.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills to engage Data Stewards and Trustees across divisions.
• Skilled in project management, tracking progress, and reporting program outcomes.
• Proficiency with data governance and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Purview, Collibra, Smartsheet).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and documentation abilities.
• Ability to translate data governance concepts into practical, actionable guidance.
• Capacity to build relationships and promote a culture of data accountability and transparency.

Job Duties

Job Duty

Program Development & Oversight

• Design, implement, and manage the university's Data Stewardship Program to support institutional data governance.
• Develop and maintain policies, standards, and procedures related to data stewardship, classification, and quality.
• Collaborate with university leadership to establish data ownership and accountability frameworks.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

30

Job Duty

Stakeholder Collaboration & Training

• Serve as the primary liaison between data stewards, data custodians, and IT professionals.
• Provide guidance and training to data stewards and business units on data governance policies, roles, and responsibilities.
• Organize workshops, training sessions, and informational materials to enhance awareness and understanding of data governance principles.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

25

Job Duty

Data Quality & Compliance Monitoring

• Establish and maintain data quality metrics, processes, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of institutional data.
• Work with compliance teams to ensure adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations regarding data privacy and security (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA, GDPR).
• Assist in audits and risk assessments to evaluate compliance with data governance policies.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

20

Job Duty

Process Improvement & Technology Integration

• Collaborate with IT teams to integrate data governance tools and solutions within enterprise systems.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements to enhance data governance and stewardship practices.
• Support the implementation of metadata management and data cataloging initiatives to improve data discoverability and usability.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

15

Job Duty

Reporting & Communication

• Develop and present reports on data stewardship program progress, compliance status, and data quality trends to executive leadership and governance committees.
• Maintain documentation on data stewardship activities, program impact, and best practices.
• Communicate updates on data governance initiatives to stakeholders across the university.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

10

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive

No

Hazardous weather category

Non-Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies

1

Desired Start Date

Job Open Date

12/05/2025

Job Close Date

01/18/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by January 18, 2026.

Quicklink for Posting

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.