The Data Governance and Security (DGS) Lead is responsible for coordinating and maturing the data governance framework across Digital Farming Solutions (DFS) and Bayer Crop Science (BCS). The role partners with Cyber Security Risk Management (CSRM), Legal/Patents/Compliance (LPC), Data Privacy, Cybersecurity Foundations (CSF), IT Engineering, and other business units to ensure secure, compliant, and effective use of DFS data assets—including FieldView. 

This role focuses on coordination rather than execution, ensuring that governance is implemented consistently across Engineering, Science, and business stakeholders. The Lead safeguards DFS interests, aligns DFS practices with Bayer’s global governance policies, and acts as a connector to senior and global counterparts. The position also holds decision rights for FieldView data governance and serves as DFS’s primary point of contact for USDA-related work. 

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

The primary responsibilities of this role are: 

• Program Leadership & Governance 

• • Lead the DFS Data Governance Program in alignment with Bayer and BCS global policies, adapting rather than creating independent DFS-specific policies. 

• • Oversee integrity, classification, usability, and security of governed data assets. 

• • Hold decision rights for FieldView data governance and guide other DFS data domains by connecting teams to regional/global governance contacts. 

• • Coordinate implementation of data minimization frameworks, which are executed by Engineering and Science, ensuring alignment and compliance across groups. 

• Policy, Compliance & Risk Management 

• • Conduct and coordinate data risk assessments and support corrective actions. 

• • Interpret and clarify data policies, working closely with CSF, IT, Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, and product teams. 

• • Reinforce governance through audits, awareness, and consultation rather than punitive measures. 

• • Protect DFS interests by ensuring commitments to DTIT are appropriately scoped and do not overextend DFS resources or introduce avoidable risk. 

• • Serve as the primary DFS point of contact for USDA-related regulatory work, approvals, and data-sharing communication. 

• Data Sharing Review & Governance Committees 

• • Oversee Bayer-established processes for secure and compliant data-sharing evaluations, including Individual Grower Data. 

• • Coordinate the Data Governance Sharing Committee, which includes Legal, Data Privacy, Compliance, Cybersecurity, Data Governance, and IT Engineering, ensuring each function evaluates business risk and recommends action plans. 

• • Manage committee escalations to the CSP team prior to USDA submission when required. 

• Collaboration, Influence & Stakeholder Engagement 

• • Act as a trusted partner and connector between DFS and CSF, negotiating exceptions, resolving policy questions, and ensuring alignment. 

• • Influence senior stakeholders by articulating risk, business needs, and governance considerations clearly and effectively. 

• • Identify data domains, appoint domain leads, owners, and stewards, and support their governance responsibilities. 

• • Promote data governance literacy and adoption across DFS through education, communication, and cross-functional partnership. 

• Execution, Measurement & Continuous Improvement 

• • Define and track KPIs and governance metrics to evaluate and improve program maturity. 

• • Support functional teams in addressing governance gaps and improving processes. 

• • Drive continuous improvement of governance practices across DFS by fostering collaboration, consistency, and cultural adoption. 

WHO YOU ARE 

Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following: 

Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field 

• 12+ years in privacy, data protection, security, risk management, compliance, or related fields 

• Knowledge of major privacy laws and regulations (state, federal, international) 

• Experience with auditing frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, PCI DSS, COBIT, ITIL, BS 10012, SAS 70) 

• Understanding of U.S. and global data-governance regulatory landscapes 

• Strong communication skills across organizational levels 

• Foundational project/program management experience 

Preferred: 

• Experience designing and reporting governance KPIs for senior leadership 

• Strong program/project management in governance or risk contexts 

• Leadership experience in governance, privacy, or compliance 

• Experience advising technical teams on policy interpretation 

• Experience in regulated environments such as Bayer Crop Science or similar 

• Familiarity with data lifecycle management, classification, and governance tooling 

Employees can expect to be paid a salary of approximately $150k-215k. Additional compensation may include a bonus or incentive program (if relevant).  Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, sick leave, etc..  This salary (or salary range) is merely an estimate and may vary based on an applicant’s location, market data/ranges, an applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors. 

This posting will be available for application until at least 4/21/26.