The Director of Enterprise Data Operations leads NiSource's end to end data operating model—governing, enabling, and running the capabilities that make trusted, well managed data available for analytics and operations. This role owns the enterprise data governance framework and the cloud data strategy, operationalizes stewardship and master/reference data, curates the enterprise catalog/metadata, and partners with engineering and architecture to industrialize data ingestion and curation through the data lake. The Director builds a high performing, inclusive team; prioritizes the enterprise ingestion backlog; establishes measurable service levels for data quality, availability, and cost; and partners closely with Business Unit leaders and the IT Transformation team to accelerate value while maintaining strong security and compliance.
Essential Functions
Strategy & Operating Model
Own the enterprise data strategy and data governance/enablement framework (people, process, policy, technology) across on prem, cloud, and edge environments.
Lead a Center of Excellence that scales best practices for data engineering, architecture, quality, and stewardship.
Governance, Stewardship & Quality
Define and operationalize data ownership and stewardship roles with clear decision rights and accountabilities.
Establish and continuously improve enterprise data quality practices, including CDE identification, controls, monitoring, and defect remediation.
Lead master data and reference data management to drive consistency across operational and analytical systems.
Catalog, Metadata & Literacy
Build and curate the enterprise data catalog/business glossary and lineage to enable one stop data discovery and shared definitions.
Advance data literacy and adoption through standards, coaching, and enablement of business and technical communities.
Data Lake & Pipeline Operations
Partner with IT to design and operate the data lake and industrialized ingestion/curation pipelines; manage and prioritize the enterprise ingestion backlog.
Set and meet SLOs/SLAs for throughput, availability, cost, and reliability; optimize performance and resource utilization.
Risk, Security & Compliance
Ensure appropriate classification, access, privacy, and retention controls; align with cybersecurity, legal, and regulatory requirements.
Proactively identify and manage operational risks; drive remediation plans and continuous improvement.
Program Delivery & Vendor Management
Lead or oversee large, cross functional programs and third party engagements; ensure scope, schedule, budget, and value realization.
Benchmark against utilities and broader industry to inform roadmap, standards, and tooling decisions.
Leadership & Culture
Recruit, mentor, and develop a high performing, diverse team; foster a culture of safety, accountability, learning, and change adoption.
Build coalitions in a matrixed environment; serve as a trusted advisor to business and technology leaders to accelerate data driven decisions.
Required Qualifications For Position
Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Engineering, or related field.
10+ years total experience
3+ years of direct leadership experience building and managing high performing teams.
Proven success owning enterprise data initiatives (data quality, integration/management, metadata/catalog, stewardship, MDM/RDM or related) and delivering outcomes at scale.
Strong program/project leadership with a track record driving cross functional IT/Business transformation and analytics enablement in a matrixed organization.
Working knowledge of data lake architectures and cloud data platforms; familiarity with blob/object storage, databases, ingestion/ETL/ELT patterns, and data modeling.
Demonstrated ability to set priorities and manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment; skilled at stakeholder management, negotiation, and influence.
Excellent executive communication skills, including management reporting and the ability to translate between business, functional, and technical audiences.
Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position
Advanced degree in Data Science, Math, MBA, or other related field.
Hands-on experience with governance/catalog/MDM technologies (e.g., Microsoft Purview, Collibra, Alation, Informatica) and enterprise data modeling.
As a public utility, NiSource is required to provide continuous service to customers at all times. To ensure we fulfill that obligation, employees may be required to work outside their normal work hours and perform tasks outside of their normal responsibilities in support of emergency operations.
Work Authorization
Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
Workplace Connection
Value inclusion within your day to day responsibilities by respecting others perspectives/convictions, engaging others opinions, creating a safe environment where people, ideas, and opinions are valued within your Team/Customers and external partners.
Respect the unique lived experiences within your Team/Customers and external work partners by valuing different world views, challenges, and cultures that represents all walks of life and all backgrounds.
Treat others with respect and consideration. Actively participate in creating and contributing to a positive work environment.
Equal Employment Opportunity
NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), genetic information, citizenship status, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.
By applying, you may be considered for other job opportunities.
ADA Accommodations
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact OneHR at OneHR@nisource.com or 1-888-640-3320
Safety Statement
Promote a safe work environment by actively participating in all aspects of our employee safety program. Report any unsafe conditions and take actions to prevent personal injuries. Support our interdependent safety culture by ensuring the safety of your co-workers. Stay focused on the task at hand and promote productivity through good work habits.
E-Verify
NiSource participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program. As part of this process, we provide the following notices to all job applicants: These documents inform you of your rights and responsibilities under U.S. law. You can view or download them using the links below:
Salary Range*:
$160,100.00 - $240,100.00
*The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity
Posting Start Date:
2026-05-15
Posting End Date (if applicable):
NiSource (NYSE: NI) helps energize the lives of its nearly 4 million natural gas and electric customers across six states. Our local utilities – Columbia Gas and NIPSCO – ensure that customers receive safe, reliable and affordable natural gas and electric service each and every day. Our business plan is focused on proactively investing in our energy infrastructure – approximately $1.4 billion a year – to ensure we meet and improve upon our customer commitments for the next 100 years.
We employ more than 7,000 of our neighbors who are actively engaged in the communities we’re privileged to serve, making them great places to live and call home. NiSource is headquartered in Merrillville, Indiana – about 35 miles from Chicago – and we maintain a significant corporate presence in Columbus, Ohio. Our utility operations also span Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
