Job Description

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 https://uscjobs.sc.edu. 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.