Director, Global Data Operations

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Director of Data Operations Job Description

What this job involves

As Director of Data Operations at JLL, you will lead strategic initiatives that transform how data governance and operations drive business outcomes across the organization. Reporting to the Senior Director of Data Governance & Quality, you will create and execute annual strategic plans with measurable KPIs — spanning operational SLAs, vendor performance, budget variance, audit remediation cycle time, and team capability metrics — working closely with central teams to ensure alignment with broader CDO and enterprise objectives.

You will orchestrate complex execution of high-quality work across multiple teams, focusing on business outcomes that improve operational efficiency, compliance posture, and data trust. You will build leadership capability within your team and enable your direct reports and peers to manage stakeholders effectively and independently. You will own critical operational functions including end-to-end vendor management and procurement, audit coordination, budget consolidation and oversight, and will serve as the designated HR operations lead for the Data organization in partnership with the People Partner team. This position requires a leader who can balance strategic vision with tactical execution, champion the adoption of emerging technologies within a governance context, and shape team culture to align with organizational goals and JLL values.

What your day-to-day will look like

Enterprise Data Governance Leadership

• Lead a team of 3–4 data governance professionals within the Enterprise Data Governance organization, developing their leadership capabilities, managing performance, and building a succession-ready talent pipeline for critical roles
• Own the full lifecycle of data governance policy and standards, and enforcing adoption across data domains and business units
• Represent the EDG team in cross-functional governance councils, data forums, and steering committees, ensuring governance requirements are surfaced and operationalized across teams and domains
• Partner with the InfoSec team on data-related compliance and security matters, including data access governance reviews, privacy compliance assessments (GDPR, CCPA), and data controls aligned to technology audit requirements
• Develop and implement frameworks and methodologies for addressing novel data governance challenges, establishing shared best practices that scale across the organization

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute annual strategic plans and roadmaps for the Data Operations domain with clearly defined, measurable KPIs — including operational SLAs, vendor performance scorecards, budget variance targets, and team development metrics — aligned with CDO and enterprise objectives
• Create frameworks and methodologies for addressing novel data challenges and establish shared best practices across the Data organization
• Accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies (including AI and machine learning) within your teams, and establish governance policies that define responsible, effective use in support of business goals

Operational Ownership

• Own the end-to-end procurement process for the Data organization, including vendor evaluation, contract negotiation, and renewal processes, ensuring optimal cost management and value delivery
• Serve as the primary audit liaison for the Data organization, acting as the main point of contact for all audits touching the data team — including technology controls audits, data access governance reviews, privacy compliance assessments, and SOX IT general controls — and coordinating audit responses and remediation efforts
• Lead annual Data organization budgeting processes, consolidating indirect and business line budgets, and facilitating monthly budget reviews with finance and business stakeholders

People & Culture

• Serve as the designated HR operations lead for the Data organization, partnering with the People Partner to manage annual performance reviews, promotion cycles, compensation processes, and succession planning
• Build leadership capability across the Data Operations and EDG teams through structured development programs, individual coaching, and identification of succession-ready talent for critical roles
• Shape team culture to align with organizational goals, JLL values, and leadership behaviors, fostering a high-performance, inclusive environment across your direct and extended teams
• Enable team members to manage stakeholders effectively and independently, building cross-functional influencing capability at all levels of the team

Required qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in data operations, data governance, or related disciplines, with demonstrated expertise in managing large-scale data and governance initiatives
• 5+ years of people management experience leading multiple teams, including experience managing other managers and building high-performing organizations
• Demonstrated experience owning or operationalizing data governance programs, including policy development, standards enforcement, and stewardship model design
• Proven experience managing vendor relationships, procurement processes, and contract negotiations with technology providers, including demonstrated success in cost optimization
• Strong financial acumen with experience developing and managing multi-million dollar budgets, conducting variance analysis, and presenting budget recommendations to senior leadership
• Experience serving as a liaison for internal and external audits, including data privacy audits, data access governance reviews, or technology controls assessments
• Demonstrated ability to lead HR processes at scale, including performance management, promotion cycles, and talent development programs across technical organizations
• Proven track record of developing and executing strategic plans with measurable business outcomes, including demonstrated improvements in operational efficiency, compliance posture, or data quality
• Strong understanding of business processes supported by multiple products or services within a single domain, with the ability to identify trends and develop strategic solutions
• Experience establishing operating frameworks and governance models that scale across cross-functional stakeholder environments

Preferred qualifications

• Familiarity with data management frameworks such as DAMA DMBOK, with working knowledge across data governance, data quality, and metadata management knowledge areas
• Experience with data contracts, metadata management platforms, or enterprise data catalog tooling (e.g., Unity Catalog, Collibra, Alation, Privacera)
• Experience leading data transformation initiatives in commercial real estate, property technology, or related industries
• Professional certification in procurement, contract management, or vendor management (e.g., CPSM, CPCM)
• Track record of developing multi-year succession plans for critical roles and implementing cross-functional development programs that retain top talent
• Experience with financial planning and analysis (FP&A) processes, including forecasting, scenario planning, and ROI modeling for technology investments
• Demonstrated thought leadership through publications, speaking engagements, or contributions to industry forums on data operations, data governance, or emerging data technologies
• Experience evaluating and selecting enterprise data platforms, including vendor assessment, build-vs-buy analysis, and multi-year technology roadmapping

This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Expected compensation for this position

167,000.00 – 204,000.00 USD per year

Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location

Remote –New York, NY

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health.

Some of these benefits include

• 401(k) plan with matching company contributions
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care
• Paid parental leave at 100% of salary
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing.

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