Woolworths

• Auckland (Ponsonby & Favona office locations) with hybrid working
• Permanent role
• Lead a talented team on high impact data governance initiatives

We strive to create better experiences together for a better tomorrow for our customers and team,  bringing the best of Woolworths Group and Quantium together to make data driven decisions. By partnering with Quantium, a world-class data science and advanced analytics business we’re excited about the future as we unlock the power of data to reimagine retail.

Through this partnership, we’ve created a new business called wiq who will harness the best of Woolworths Group and Quantium to reimagine retail by solving the most complex problems using data and analytics. As a team, we leverage Agile ways of working to help our team develop their skills while also making sure our team is focusing on solving the most complex problems for both our customers and team.

What you’ll do | Hei mahi

The purpose of the wiqNZ team is to unlock the power of data to imagine retail, which contributes to making Kiwis’ lives a little better every day. We work closely with all WWNZ business units, as well as with the broader WIQ team. 

The Data Excellence Lead at Woolworths New Zealand is a pivotal role focused on maximizing the power of data through ensuring its safety, trustworthiness, and compliance with privacy requirements. This role involves a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on guidance, and cross-functional collaboration

You’ll drive the advancement of WWNZ’s data governance across both operational and analytical data. This involves increasing awareness of NZ dataset and system maturity, collaborating with Group Data Management and business owners to embed robust data quality and risk management capabilities. You'll lead and coordinate the development and execution of strategies, policies, and best practices for the efficient management of data assets throughout their lifecycle.

This isn't a solitary effort; a crucial part of your role will be acting as a conduit across the Group. You'll ensure issues and opportunities are raised and prioritized, support is coordinated, and best practices are adopted by engaging with relevant Guilds and functional teams. You'll also guide and mentor a team of data excellence analysts and partner with business stakeholders, engineering, and analytics professionals to understand priorities and design pragmatic solutions that align with our data principles.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Data Quality and Ownership: Act as the subject matter expert for data quality, driving improvements and establishing frameworks for data ownership and stewardship across WWNZ. You'll work directly with the Data Engineering team to embed quality principles into platform and data product development.
• Strategy and Standards: Implement and maintain WWNZ Data Standards, Practices, and Policies, ensuring they align with Group Data Management, technology, privacy, and risk strategies.
• Privacy and Regulation: Lead the management of PII data, including its classification and access rights, to minimize risk related to privacy and regulations.
• Partner with the Privacy & Customer Trust COE to drive the adoption of new capabilities through focused training, change management, and communication strategies for key initiatives (e.g., PIA, Privacy by Design).
• Lead and mentor the Data Excellence team: Provide line management, professional coaching, and mentorship to team members.
• Communicate effectively: Provide updates on milestones, challenges, and data improvement recommendations to senior leadership and data domain owners.
• Ensure technical solution quality: Work with the wiqNZ Engineering team and Group Data Management to ensure technical solutions meet data quality and governance requirements.
• Establish and lead frameworks for data documentation. This includes managing key data assets (what is critical and meaningful for the business unit), a business glossary, data lineage (where is it sourced from), and defining ownership and stewardship responsibilities.

What you’ll bring | Hei koha

We’re looking for an experienced data governance professional, with a blend of technical capability alongside proven communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams.

• Extensive Data Governance Experience: 5-10 years dedicated to data governance, with a proficient and practical understanding of methodologies, principles, and practices in data management and governance.
• IAPP, DAMA certification is beneficial but not essential,  as are other related studies in privacy, governance, ethics
• Experience in PIA methodologies and privacy by design
• Expertise in Data Quality: Strong ability to identify and prioritize data quality issues, recommend best practices, and collaborate on swift resolutions for technical, operational, and organizational data problems. 
• Problem Solving: Possesses excellent analytical and problem-solving skills for complex data analysis.
• Transformation & Agile: Experience in transformation and change management, coupled with a strong understanding of Agile principles for efficient delivery.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, enabling effective representation in Group forums and the ability to convey complex ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Adaptability & Critical Thinking: Ability to think creatively and critically, thriving in fast-paced, dynamic, and sometimes ambiguous work environments.

What you’ll experience | Ngā Huanga

Our Team Members are at the heart of everything we do and we’re always looking for ways to support your career journey and reward great work:

• A commitment to flexibility through a hybrid working model which combines time spent at a support office or hub and time working from home, supporting both in-person connection and balancing the flexibility that remote working provides for our teams
• High-impact role supporting our teams who enrich our communities. 
• A global business with endless career possibilities around every corner and across every discipline – with valuable exposure to a vast and exciting business network.
• A range of programs to help you prioritise and manage your wellbeing, including 24/7 access to the Sonder app.
• A progressive and competitive leave policy that gives you more space for what matters to you.  
• Team discounts across our range of Woolworths Group brands you know and love and a robust rewards program that celebrates and incentivises purpose-driven work.

Endless possibilities with the Woolworths Group  

We’re a proud part of the Woolworths Group – 200,000+ bright minds, passionate hearts and unique perspectives working together connected by a shared Purpose – ‘to create better experiences together for a better tomorrow.’ 

Here you’ll be supported and empowered to explore new ideas, make brave commitments and innovate better ways to meet the food and everyday needs of more than 24 million customers every week. Backed by a culture of genuine care, a flexible approach to work and the support to grow your career and make a meaningful impact, the possibilities for what we can achieve together are endless.

Everyone belongs at Woolworths Group | No Woolworths tātou

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are key to realising our purpose of better together for a better tomorrow. We recognise the value our team’s diversity brings to our business, customers, and communities and that teams with diverse experiences and backgrounds enrich our group and are better able to innovate and solve problems. As one of the largest employers in Australia and New Zealand, we aim to create a truly inclusive workplace where everyone feels that they belong, can be their best selves, and reach their full potential.

We encourage all candidates to apply; please let us know in your application if we can support you with any adjustments in the hiring process.