Data & AI Governance Specialist

You want your work to matter. You want to shape how data and AI are used in a company that builds on a global scale. In this role, you make sure innovation moves forward with care, clarity and confidence. You help teams use data and AI in a way that is safe, responsible and ready for the future.

The position

As a Data & AI Governance Specialist, you play a key role in defining and implementing the practical governance of data and AI at Van Oord. You provide expert guidance to business units by translating policies and frameworks into processes, comprehensive instructions, and effective tools (“policy as code”) that facilitate safe and efficient use of data and AI.

You operate at the intersection of regulation, technology, and business. Your efforts help ensure that AI initiatives scale responsibly, avoid redundancy, and consistently comply with both internal policies and external regulations such as the EU AI Act.

Your impact

You make governance real and usable. You guide teams so they can move forward with confidence, knowing they meet the right standards while still innovating.

In this role you will:

• Support data ownership, stewardship, and accountability according to the Van Oord Data Governance Framework approved by ExCom.
• Assist with implementing AI governance, including registering use cases, classifying risks, and overseeing lifecycle management.
• Help monitor data quality through dashboards and validation checks for migrations and operational systems such as IFS and Workday.
• Provide expertise on data and AI governance tools (Microsoft Purview), including registries, catalogues, and data quality monitors.
• Promote awareness and build capability by developing guidelines, conducting training, and engaging stakeholders.
• Serve as a trusted advisor for both business and technical teams on responsible AI practices, data management, and governance requirements.

Your workplace

You become part of a collaborative environment where knowledge is shared openly and ideas are welcomed. You work closely with other teams within Data & AI: Data & AI Products and Data & AI Platform. Additionally, you work closely with colleagues from IT, Legal, Security, Sustainability, and various business stakeholders. Together, you build solutions that are not only technically strong, but also trusted and future proof. You get the freedom to take ownership, bring new ideas and make a visible impact across the organisation.

About you

• 5+ years experience in data management/data governance field, with strong understanding of principles such as data & AI ownership, data quality and lifecycle management
• Experience in translating policies and frameworks into tooling and platforms, enabling policy as code
• Experience with Microsoft Purview is a plus
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to establish trust across different levels of the organisation
• Ability to take ownership, work independently and explain difficult concepts in simple terms

We offer

In this role, you take ownership of how data and AI shape the future of Van Oord, with the trust and support to make real impact.

• Attractive travel allowance (€0.31 per km) and home working allowance (€2.45 per day)
• 32 holidays (of which a maximum of 7 are collective)
• Variable bonus, partly dependent on company results
• Attractive pension scheme
• Option for collective health insurance (Van Oord pays for your supplementary package)
• Extensive development opportunities, including a comprehensive online academy via Goodhabitz
• Communities to join, such as Young Van Oord, Van Oord Women, and the Van Oord staff association
• Various events and sports activities, such as skiing, sailing weekends, cycling, and motorcycling

‘Show what you can do and where your ambition lies, and you’ll get every opportunity to act on it. That’s something I’m proud of!’

Renske , Category Manager Engineering