Data Manager
Job description, Salary, Resume, and Interview Questions
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHAT DOES A Data Manager DO?
Data Managers play a critical role in transforming organizational needs into effective data strategies by overseeing the collection, organization, and utilization of data to support informed decision-making and business optimization. They collaborate closely with stakeholders across departments—including business, analytics, and IT teams—to ensure data integrity, establish governance frameworks, and align data initiatives with strategic objectives.
Successful Data Managers possess a deep understanding of data architecture, regulatory requirements, and best practices in data management. They excel at problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and communicating complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences. These professionals are analytical, detail-oriented, and results-focused, with a strong commitment to ensuring data is accurate, accessible, and leveraged to drive business performance and long-term success.
AVERAGE SALARY FOR
Data Managers
Salaries can vary depending on factors such as geographical location, experience, educational background, and industry sector.
$96,516
Data Manager Job Descriptions
Below are four types of Data Manager job descriptions, detailing the range and expectations of the role:
Job Description:
We are seeking a Technical Data Manager to lead the development and maintenance of scalable data pipelines, ensure data accuracy, and support analytics and engineering teams. This role requires a strong technical background and a deep understanding of data architecture and infrastructure.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with data engineers to design, build, and optimize data pipelines.
- Define data models and ensure consistency across systems.
- Monitor data flow and resolve infrastructure or integration issues.
- Implement best practices for data processing and ETL workflows.
- Ensure alignment between data infrastructure and business goals.
- Support the deployment of data platforms and cloud-based storage solutions.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
- Proven experience with SQL, Python, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
- Strong knowledge of data warehousing and data lake architectures.
- Familiarity with tools like Apache Airflow, dbt, or Snowflake.
- Experience working in Agile or DevOps environments.
Job Description:
We are looking for a Data Governance Manager to develop and enforce policies that ensure the integrity, security, and compliance of enterprise data. This role will be central to establishing a data governance framework and collaborating with cross-functional teams to maintain high data standards.
Responsibilities:
- Define and implement data governance policies, procedures, and standards.
- Maintain a data catalog and ensure consistent data definitions across the organization.
- Oversee data quality management initiatives and issue resolution.
- Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Security teams to uphold regulatory standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
- Lead data stewardship programs and support metadata management.
- Conduct regular audits to ensure policy compliance.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Management, Business, or a related field.
- Experience in data governance, compliance, or data quality roles.
- Familiarity with data privacy regulations and risk management practices.
- Strong documentation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Knowledge of tools like Collibra, Alation, or Informatica is a plus.
Job Description:
We are hiring an Analytics Data Manager to lead the delivery of business intelligence solutions by managing data assets and analytics platforms. This role will bridge technical and business teams to ensure accurate, timely, and actionable insights.
Responsibilities:
- Manage end-to-end data analytics processes, from source to dashboard.
- Collaborate with analysts and business stakeholders to define reporting needs.
- Ensure data quality and availability for dashboards and reports.
- Oversee data visualization tools and data marts.
- Lead initiatives to automate and optimize reporting workflows.
- Train end users on tools and data interpretation best practices.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, or Business Analytics.
- Experience with BI platforms like Power BI, Tableau, or Looker.
- Strong SQL and data modeling skills.
- Ability to translate business questions into analytical solutions.
- Background in managing cross-functional analytics projects.
Job Description:
We are seeking a Data Compliance Manager to ensure that enterprise data practices meet all legal, regulatory, and internal policy requirements. The role involves close collaboration with legal, security, and data teams to manage data risk and maintain trust.
Responsibilities:
- Monitor data handling practices for compliance with laws (e.g., CCPA, GDPR, HIPAA).
- Lead assessments of data-related risks and implement mitigation plans.
- Establish access control policies and auditing procedures.
- Develop internal training and documentation around data compliance.
- Conduct regular reviews of vendor data-sharing agreements and third-party risk.
- Partner with IT to maintain secure storage, transfer, and deletion protocols.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Law, Cybersecurity, Data Management, or related field.
- Experience in data compliance, legal risk, or data privacy roles.
- Deep understanding of data protection regulations and frameworks.
- Strong communication and policy development skills.
- Familiarity with GRC tools and data classification systems.
Candidate Certifications to Look For
Consider the following certifications and qualifications when evaluating candidates:
The CDMP is considered the gold standard for data management professionals. It validates a broad understanding of data governance, data quality, metadata, architecture, and more—perfect for strategic-level data managers.
This certification is ideal for Data Managers working in cloud environments. It focuses on building data processing systems, maintaining data pipelines, and enabling data-driven decision-making in GCP.
CIMP is customizable and lets you specialize in areas like data governance, data quality, or master data management. It’s great for Data Managers who want to deepen expertise in a specific domain.
HOW TO HIRE A Data Manager
Securing a skilled Data Manager requires a strategic approach to identifying professionals with strong technical expertise and problem-solving skills. Here are key strategies to help you hire top talent:
Comprehensive Job Descriptions: Clearly articulate the responsibilities, qualifications, and skills required for the role to attract candidates who meet the specific needs of your organization.
Data Manager Competency Assessments: Use practical evaluations such as data quality audits, data governance scenario analysis, database design exercises, data integration case studies, and data reporting/dashboard creation tasks to assess candidates’ ability to translate business needs into actionable data solutions.
Focus on Detail Orientation: During interviews, ask questions designed to gauge candidates’ attention to detail and their approach to minimizing errors in their work.
Highlight Opportunities for Growth: Emphasize any potential for career advancement or skill development within the organization to attract candidates who are looking for long-term opportunities.
Leverage IT-Specific Platforms: Post job listings on platforms that specialize in IT roles, such as those focused on systems engineers, network administrators, and cloud specialists, to access a broader pool of qualified technical candidates.
Data Manager Interview Questions
- How do you ensure accuracy when gathering data requirements, defining data models, or managing cross-functional data initiatives?
- Describe your experience working with technical teams. How do you communicate with data engineers or developers who work with tools like SQL, Python, or ETL pipelines?
- What strategies do you use to manage competing data priorities, such as ensuring data quality, responding to reporting requests, and coordinating data infrastructure improvements?
- Can you share an example of identifying and resolving a critical data issue that impacted decision-making or business performance?
- How do you stay organized when managing multiple data projects, tracking metrics across teams, and ensuring timely data deliverables?
- Describe a challenging data initiative you led. What was your role, and how did your decisions influence the outcome?
- How do you ensure data privacy, security, and compliance—especially when working with cloud-based storage, sensitive user information, or third-party data sources?
- What’s the most complex aspect of managing enterprise data, and how do you address it to ensure data remains reliable and useful for stakeholders?
- How do you approach data validation and quality assurance when preparing datasets for analytics, reporting, or operational use?
- What steps do you take to stay updated on the latest data management tools, trends in data governance, and evolving industry best practices?
THREE EASY WAYS TO COMPLETE YOUR tech TEAM
CompuForce can assist you in finding the right Data Manager for your team. Here are three ways to complete your tech team:
- Utilize CompuForce, a specialized tech staffing agency.
- Post your job on leading tech job boards.
- Leverage your professional network in the tech sector. CompuForce offers access to a network of pre-screened and qualified tech professionals.
NEED HELP HIRING A Data Manager
Discover how CompuForce can elevate your hiring process with tailored staffing solutions. Contact us today to experience a partnership that transforms your recruitment strategy and connects you with top-tier talent.
