Working Life

Data Stewardship is not just an IT function -  it's a business function. The primary responsibility of a Data Steward is to make sure that the data of the enterprise is business worthy. To be an effective and efficient Data Steward, you must understand the inner workings of the business - they are inseparable skills.

Data Stewards understand the data in an enterprise better than anyone else and are essential to any analytics-driven organisation. With the emergence of BIG DATA, the role has evolved to become more formalised and diverse.

It's a broad job role, incorporating processes, policies, guidelines and responsibilities for administering organisations' data in compliance with business and regulatory obligations.

Every bit and byte of data generated across any business is important. It's the Data Stewards job to ensure that data sources are properly accounted for, protected, stored and maintained. Their particular responsibility stems from an understanding of the business domain and the interaction of business processes with other data needs.

Different types of Data Steward roles are evolving such as:

-Operational Data Steward - defines how data will be gathered, managed and used by the organisation and responsible for integrity of data usage.

-Communicating new and changing business requirements; communicating issues and problems.

A Data Steward ensures that there are documented procedures and guidelines for data access and use. Data Stewards work with data custodians, database/warehouse administrators and other related staff to plan and execute an enterprise-wide data governance, control and compliance policies.

Knowledge and Skills 

Programming Expertise: Data Stewards love data, but to get into the inner workings of data you must understand the programming involved. A comprehensive knowledge of at least some of the primary languages used is necessary - i.e  Python, Perl, PHP, C/C++, Java among others.

Database Proficiency: experience working with various SQL-based systems including (but not limited to) Oracle RDBMS, Informix, Sybase, IBM DB2, MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL and others will add weight to your skillset and resume. Understading of the particularities of queries, DML, DDL, transaction controls, data types, DCL and procedural extensions if necessary.

Data Modeling: Data Stewards are not Data Modelers, but they interact with them often in meetings and when working on Data Governance and Master Data Management initiatives throughout the enterprise. An understanding of features such as ORM diagrams, modeling applications like ERwin, and the differences between conceptual, logical and physical schema is helpful.

Data Warehouse Concepts: It is necessary to understand and have experience with OLAP (and its variations), data integrity, ETL platforms, ODS, OLTP, schema and bottom-up versus top-down designs among others. Real world Data Warehousing experience is highly preferred.

Understanding of Non-Relational Systems: The Big Data onslaught on enterprises has changed the landscape of Data Management forever, so everyone is the field is working to get better skill sets in dealing with Big Data and Unstructured Data. A solid background in the various NoSQL systems has become a prime requirement for many Data Management jobs, including Data Steward. A clear understanding of MapReduce, BigTable implementations, Memcache, sharding, distributed computing techniques, and the differences in the multitude of products on the market today including Hadoop/HBase, Cassandra, Redis, among others.

Technical Writing: There is a belief that high levels of logical thought (a necessity for any Data Management job) somehow presupposes and inability to express oneself clearly (and creatively) with the written word. Luckily, such a belief is only a stereotype and thus not always true. Hone your skills as a writer, which includes the clear expression of ideas, good grammar, the ability to invoke interest in the reader, and your path to landing a good Data Steward position will increase. Data Stewards must be able to write; it’s an essential part of their skill package. They are frequently the intermediaries between the IT and Business Departments, and the ability to express yourself clearly so that both sides of the enterprise understand the message will increase your usefulness by magnitudes.

Business Acumen: Data Stewards are the SMEs of the business in terms of data; Data Stewards understand the data in an enterprise often better than anyone else; Data Stewardship is not an IT function it is a business function. The primary responsibility of a Data Steward is to make sure that the data of the enterprise is business worthy. To be an effective and efficient Data Steward you must understand the inner workings of the business, they are inseparable skills.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

A bachelor degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, MIS, Mathematics or related field is typically required for this job role. Most of the top jobs require a Master’s Degree, and/or 3-5 years of relevant experience. Courses or additional training in areas such as professional data management, professional information management, and business skills are also valued.

Training for Data media analysts may be on-the-job or via alternatives in Skillnet, higher education, Springboard HCI. The company may organise short off-the-job courses for trainees.

Springboard courses

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business, office admin, management, digital media.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: creative digital media, data analytics, software development, digital marketing, sales, media studies, marketing.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Sales, ICT Software Developer.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: digital media, sociology, media, communication, arts and media studies, advertising and marketing communications, digital marketing with analytics, data science and analytics, computing, data analytics and big data, business analytics.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: arts and media, creative digital media, computer science, data analytics, business analytics, data analytics, data science, analytics, digital marketing, art design, media, research, communication.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Irish Analytics Institute

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €115k

Salaries vary by employer, duties, role, experience, and location.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Morgan McKinley/ CPL / Prosperity.ie / Lincoln / Sigmar/ Azon/ Brightwater/ Osborne/ Archer/ Clark

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: IT business analysts; architects and systems designers; Web design and development professionals; Information technology and telecommunications professionals n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The negative average annual employment growth rate over the five-year period for this occupation is partly related to changes in the LFS in 2017; however, employment has declined annually since 2020. Those employed were primarily male, working full-time and held third-level qualifications. The share of non-Irish citizens employed far exceeded the national average (41% compared to 19% nationally).

Despite the decline in employment, over 3,500 new employment permits were issued in 2022 across a range of roles including IT analysts/engineers (cloud, security, systems, network, test), There was a high volume of mentions in the Recruitment Agency Survey for network/security and site reliability engineers while vacancies for software testers were cited as difficult to fill by employers in the Skills for Growth data, particularly for those with cybersecurity, cloud computing and HTML skills. The number of online job adverts declined by 12% in 2022, predominantly due to the fall in postings for systems analysts which alone accounted for nearly half the total decline in ICT job postings in 2022.

Despite falling employment numbers, strong demand remains evident across the indicators in key areas such as network/cloud and security engineering. The move to remote working since the onset of the pandemic, along with the war in Ukraine, have increased the prevalence of cybersecurity threats39 with demand for these skills likely to persist. The fall in online vacancy advertisements indicates a slowing in demand but shortages remain, at least in the short-term.

• The Analytics Institute of Ireland

  • [email protected]
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• Smart Futures

  • Discover Science & Engineering, Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin, 2
  • Click Here

• COMREG Communcations regulator

  • 018049600
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here