Data Governance Lead at Sun International

Job Description

• Sun International is building a modern data and AI platform using Kafka, Databricks Lakehouse with Unity Catalog, and an AI-driven knowledge layer. Operating across gaming, hospitality, and online betting, the environment is complex and highly regulated. 
• We’re hiring a Data Governance Lead to establish and embed governance as a core foundation of the platform.
• This includes defining data ownership, standards, classification, quality frameworks, and ensuring consistent policy enforcement across the business. This role is for someone who sees governance as critical to trust and scalability not a compliance exercise and has the experience to implement it effectively in a fast-evolving data environment.

Core behavioural Technical / proficiency competencies:

• Data Governance & Compliance
• Metadata & Catalog Management
• Data Quality & Lineage
• Security & Access Control
• Data Architecture & Streaming Governance
• AI/ML Governance
• Databricks Unity Catalog, RBAC, Azure, Apache/Kafka
• Ownership & Accountability
• Execution Focus
• Analytical & Systems Thinking
• Stakeholder Management & Influencing
• Decision-making
• Adaptability & Continuous Improvement
• Collaboration & Integrity

Job Requirements

• B degree in IT, Data Science, Software Engineering, or related field
• 8+ years in data governance/management; 3+ years in lead/principal roles
• Hands-on with data catalog/governance tools (Unity Catalog, Purview, etc.)
• Experience implementing data ownership/stewardship across multiple business units
• Strong knowledge of data classification in regulated environments
• Familiarity with data quality frameworks and remediation processes
• Regulatory knowledge: POPIA, PCI-DSS, FICA, gambling regulations
• Ability to liaise with technical and business stakeholders

Advantages:

• Experience with Databricks Unity Catalog (schemas, access, lineage, sharing)
• Knowledge of South African gaming or financial services regulations
• Familiarity with data mesh/federated governance models
• Understanding AI governance, including LLM data controls
• DAMA-DMBOK, CDMP, or equivalent certification
• Experience with Kafka Schema Registry or similar integration governance