Data Governance and Protection Analyst

Data Governance & Protection Analyst Overview Applied Materials has an exciting opportunity to join the Legal & Compliance Organization in a highly visible role supporting the Enterprise Data Protection program. This role will help advance enterprise data protection capabilities by designing, implementing, and continuously improving scalable solutions that safeguard sensitive and regulated information while enabling business innovation. The ideal candidate will partner closely with Legal, Information Security, business stakeholders, data owners, and technical teams throughout Applied to strengthen data discovery, governance, classification, sensitivity labeling, metrics, automation, and user adoption across structured and unstructured data environments. Key Responsibilities Develop and support strategy, implementation, and continuous improvement of scalable enterprise data protection capabilities including data discovery, classification, and handling practices. Enable AI-enabled agents, workflow automation, and analytics solutions with appropriate teams and tools. Partner with business groups to understand business processes and implement practical data governance, classification, and protection requirements. Develop, maintain, and operationalize sensitivity labeling, classification taxonomy, and data handling frameworks to enable accurate identification, management, and protection of sensitive data. Develop advanced analytics, metrics, dashboards, executive-ready reporting and automation to help monitor performance and provide insights on data protection posture, classification, and tagging effectiveness. Serve as a bridge between technical teams, business stakeholders, Legal, Information Security, data owners, and risk and compliance partners to translate requirements into practical operating models, controls, and program deliverables. Support user education, change management, and adoption of data classification and handling policies to ensure employees understand how to label, manage, and protect sensitive information appropriately. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Program Management, Risk Management, Information Management, Data Governance, Information Security, or a related field. Minimum 4–7 years of relevant experience in data governance, data protection, cybersecurity, technical program management, data management, or a related field. Experience supporting enterprise data protection, data classification, sensitivity labeling, information protection, or data governance programs. Ability to partner effectively with cross-functional stakeholders at all levels of the organization, including business, Legal, Information Security, technical, and compliance teams. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and business judgment skills, with the ability to translate complex requirements into practical program plans and operational processes. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, anticipate objections, and tailor messages for technical, business, and executive audiences. Strong presentation, data visualization, dashboarding, and PowerPoint skills, with the ability to develop executive-ready reporting and insights. High integrity, sound judgment, attention to detail, pragmatism, and willingness to take initiative in managing sensitive information and cross-functional priorities. Preferred Qualifications Advanced degree in a related field Experience with Congruity 360, Microsoft Purview or similar tools Programming, scripting, automation, analytics, or technical implementation experience preferred for roles focused on workflow automation, AI-enabled solutions, or enterprise-scale technical controls. ## Qualifications ### Education: Doctorate Degree ### Skills ### Certifications: ### Languages: ### Years of Experience: 2 - 4 Years ### Work Experience: ## Additional Information ### ### Shift: 10-Day 8-Hr (United States of America) ### ### Travel: Yes, 10% of the Time ### ### Relocation Eligible: No ### Referral Payment Plan: None Salary Range: $175,000.00 - $241,000.00 The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable. For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement. Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.