Description

We've made a lot of progress since opening the doors in 1942, but one thing has never changed - our commitment to serve, heal, lead, educate, and innovate. We believe that every award earned, every record broken and every patient helped is because of the dedicated employees who fill our hallways.

At Ochsner, whether you work with patients every day or support those who do, you are making a difference and that matters. Come make a difference at Ochsner Health and discover your future today!

The Data Governance Principal plays a strategic role in shaping how healthcare data is defined, organized, and trusted across the enterprise. This senior position is responsible for developing and implementing the frameworks, standards, and processes that ensure our data is accurate, accessible, compliant, and meaningful to the business.

Working closely with analytics, technology, and business leadership, the Principal will lead the development of the Enterprise Data Catalog, business glossary, and metadata management standards. This role also partners with the Data Management and Architecture teams to strengthen data quality practices and define measurable KPIs for improvement.

This is a full-time individual contributor role (remote with occasional travel to New Orleans) that influences enterprise data strategy through governance, stewardship, and enablement.

This position can be remote

What you will do

• Serve as the primary operational and technical owner for the Enterprise Data Catalog and lead its evolution, managing ongoing platform curation, metadata ingestion schedules, updates, and quality control.

• Support the implementation of roadmap for the catalog, including milestone planning, new feature evaluation, upgrades, and coordination of technical needs with IT and platform vendors.

• Oversee the development and maintenance of the Business Glossary, including research, stakeholder review, and governance through the Executive Steering Council.

• Create and support a process for certification of data and analytics assets

• Promote adoption and engagement through user enablement initiatives, such as training materials, webinars, workshops, and one-on-one support for business and analytics users.

• Create and maintain reports using Alation Analytics (or similar tools) to measure catalog usage, engagement, and content completeness.

• Implement governance frameworks for data asset categorization and access management to improve discoverability, reuse, and compliance.

• Partner with Data Management teams to establish data quality metrics, measurement processes, and improvement plans.

• Support and enable data stewardship, developing communities of practice and guidance for stewards across departments.

• Lead periodic governance and access audits to ensure proper data use, compliance, and portfolio optimization.

• Measure and communicate program effectiveness, providing regular updates and recommendations to executive stakeholders.

• Publish a monthly Data Governance newsletter summarizing decisions, progress, and upcoming initiatives.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of healthcare data, regulations, and workflows (minimum 3 years in healthcare).

• Solid understanding of privacy, security, and compliance standards (e.g., HIPAA, HITRUST, etc.).

• Proven ability to influence at multiple organizational levels and communicate complex data concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

• High emotional intelligence and facilitation skills to navigate competing priorities and drive consensus.

• Excellent written communication and documentation skills.

Technical Proficiencies

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.

• 1-3 years of experience utilizing and managing a metadata governance platform (i.e. Alation, Collibra, Atlan, etc)

• At least 1 year of experience in data quality management.

• 1-3 years of SQL (ability to pull simple queries and understand code)

• Exposure to cloud-based data platforms (specifically Snowflake or DataBricks)

• 1+ years of experience with business intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Sigma).

• 3 years of experience writing and interpreting SQL queries.

• Experience with scripting or API integration (Python preferred) for automation or metadata management tasks.

• Familiarity with data quality management concepts and tools.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Proficiency in using computers, web-based applications, and software, including but not limited to Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information clearly and professionally.
• Excellent judgment, decision-making, delegating and leadership skills.
• Analytical skills and logical through process in order to formulate practical solutions to problems.
• Positive interpersonal skills and ability to effectively and professionally work with people from all backgrounds.
• Ability to travel throughout and between facilities.
• Ability to work variable schedule, such as nights, evenings, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, etc.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns.

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sedentary Work - Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Normal routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid or tissue and as part of their employment, incumbents are not called upon to perform or assist in emergency care or first aid.

The incumbent has no occupational risk for exposure to communicable diseases.

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply Today!

Ochsner Health does not consider an individual an applicant until they have formally applied to the open position on this careers website.

Please refer to the job description to determine whether the position you are interested in is remote or on-site. Individuals who reside in and will work from the following areas are not eligible for remote work position: Colorado, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.

Ochsner Health endeavors to make our site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website, or if you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact our HR Employee Solution Center at 504-842-4748 (select option 1) or careers@ochsner.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.