Data & AI Governance Lead - Purview / M365

The Data & AI Governance Lead (Contract) is responsible for establishing the foundational data governance capability at handing over a fully operational governance function to a permanent Data Governance Manager at the end of the contract.
Inside IR35 - start 22nd of June 2026Rate is based on level of experience but as a guide a comfortable range is £800 to £1200 per day
- Establish minimum viable Data & AI Governance Framework (aligned to DMBOK-DAMA principles)- Establish formal Data Ownership & Stewardship frameworks- Establish & Run the Data & AI Governance Forum- Identify Data Domains & Critical Data- Evaluate and activate Microsoft Purview (E5) for M365 data- Support governance readiness for M365 Copilot- Define governance KPIs and deliver structured handover
This is a time-boxed, outcome-focused role, accountable for standing up the working governancecomponents required to support:
- Clear data ownership and stewardship accountability- Effective governance collaboration and decision-making- Activation of Microsoft Purview (E5) as a governance enabler- A safe and governed rollout of M365 CopilotThe role does not own long-term data strategy or business-as-usual operations.
Scope & operating context- Operates as a hands-on governance lead, not a delivery team- Works across data & AI, security, M365, and business domains- Focused on enablement and guardrails for federated ownership, not central control
The role does not own long-term strategy, enterprise-wide completeness, or business-as-usual operations. Success is measured by what is live, adopted, and ready to scale by month 6.
Skills & Experience:Essential- Demonstrable experience establishing data governance in large organisations- Practical experience with Microsoft Purview (or equivalent)- Strong understanding of data ownership, stewardship, and federated models- Experience working across M365, security, and business teams- Strong stakeholder engagement across technical and business teams
Highly desirable- Experience supporting M365 Copilot or AI enablement- Experience working in federated or domain-led data models- Background in regulated or infrastructure-heavy environments
Contractor profile & approach- Pragmatic, delivery-focused, and outcome-driven- Comfortable operating with incomplete information- Avoids over-engineering or "perfect" frameworks- Leaves behind working capability, not just documentation
What Success Looks Like at Contract end- M Group has a credible, functioning data governance foundation- Microsoft Purview is actively supporting visibility and control- M365 Copilot can be deployed with confidence in data safety- The organisation is set up to scale governance sustainably