Interview Guide for

IT Governance Manager

This comprehensive IT Governance Manager interview guide provides a structured approach to identifying candidates who can effectively manage IT governance frameworks, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance. Designed to uncover both technical expertise and leadership capabilities, this guide will help you select a candidate who can align IT governance with your organization's strategic goals while navigating complex regulatory requirements.

How to Use This Guide

This interview guide serves as a framework to help you conduct effective interviews for the IT Governance Manager role. To get the most out of it:

Customize: Adapt questions and competencies to align with your specific organizational needs and culture.
Collaborate: Share this guide with everyone involved in the interview process to ensure consistency and alignment.
Structure: Follow the structured interview format to obtain comparable data across all candidates.
Probe deeply: Use follow-up questions to move beyond surface-level answers and gain insight into actual behaviors and experiences.
Score independently: Have each interviewer complete their assessments before discussing candidates to prevent bias.

For more guidance on making the most of your interviews, check out our resources on how to conduct a job interview and why you should use structured interviews when hiring.

Job Description

IT Governance Manager

About [Company]

[Company] is a forward-thinking organization committed to leveraging technology to drive business success while maintaining the highest standards of security and compliance. We value innovation, integrity, and excellence in all aspects of our operations.

The Role

As the IT Governance Manager at [Company], you will play a critical role in ensuring the effective and compliant management of our IT systems and processes. Reporting to the [Reporting Manager Title], you will develop and implement governance frameworks that protect our assets while enabling business growth and innovation. Your expertise will help us navigate complex regulatory requirements while maintaining operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop, implement, and maintain a robust IT governance framework aligned with industry standards and our strategic goals
Define and document IT policies, procedures, and standards to ensure consistent and effective IT operations
Establish and manage IT governance processes, including change management, incident management, risk management, and vendor management
Identify, assess, and mitigate IT-related risks to protect our assets, data, and reputation
Ensure IT compliance with relevant regulatory requirements and internal policies
Monitor and report on IT governance performance, risks, and compliance status
Collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to ensure alignment on IT governance matters
Lead or participate in projects to implement process improvements and enhance IT governance effectiveness

What We're Looking For:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field (Master's degree is a plus)
5+ years of experience in IT governance, risk management, or compliance
Strong understanding of IT governance frameworks (e.g., COBIT, ITIL, ISO 27001)
Experience with IT audit processes and procedures
Excellent knowledge of IT risk management principles and practices
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills
Ability to balance technical expertise with business needs
Relevant certifications such as CGEIT, CRISC, CISM, or equivalent are highly desirable

Why Join [Company]

At [Company], we believe that effective IT governance is foundational to our success. You'll join a team committed to excellence and have the opportunity to make a significant impact on our organization's security, compliance, and operational effectiveness.

Competitive compensation package: [Pay Range]
Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision insurance
Professional development opportunities and certification support
Collaborative and innovative work environment
[Other benefits specific to company]

Hiring Process

We've designed our hiring process to be thorough yet efficient, allowing us to make timely decisions while getting to know you well:

Initial Screening: A 30-minute conversation with our recruiter to discuss your background and interest in the role.
IT Governance Framework Assessment: A practical exercise where you'll demonstrate your approach to IT governance challenges.
Chronological Interview: A deeper conversation about your relevant professional experiences with the hiring manager.
Competency-Based Interview: Focused discussion around key competencies including risk management, compliance, and stakeholder engagement.
Final Interview (Optional): Additional conversation with senior leadership team members.

Ideal Candidate Profile (Internal)

Role Overview

The IT Governance Manager plays a vital role in establishing and maintaining the framework that ensures IT activities support business goals while managing risk and complying with regulations. This position requires a blend of technical knowledge, business acumen, and interpersonal skills to effectively develop policies, implement controls, and engage stakeholders across the organization. The ideal candidate will balance governance rigor with practical, business-enabling approaches.

Essential Behavioral Competencies

Risk Management & Compliance - Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate IT-related risks while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and internal policies. Demonstrates thorough understanding of compliance frameworks and can translate complex requirements into practical controls.

Strategic Thinking - Capability to align IT governance initiatives with organizational objectives and industry standards. Can anticipate future governance needs based on technology and regulatory trends, and develop proactive approaches.

Communication & Stakeholder Management - Excellence in conveying complex governance concepts to diverse audiences and building strong relationships across all organizational levels. Can influence without direct authority and gain buy-in for governance initiatives.

Problem Solving & Decision Making - Ability to analyze complex governance challenges, evaluate options, and implement effective solutions. Makes sound decisions based on incomplete information and balances risk with business needs.

Leadership & Continuous Improvement - Demonstrates leadership in driving governance initiatives and mentoring others. Consistently identifies opportunities to improve processes and stays current with evolving best practices and regulatory changes.

Desired Outcomes

Governance Framework Implementation - Develop and implement a robust IT governance framework aligned with industry standards and company strategic goals within the first 6 months, with 100% documentation completion and stakeholder approval.

Risk Mitigation - Reduce IT-related compliance gaps and risks by 30% within the first year through systematic assessment, prioritization, and mitigation strategies.

Policy Enhancement - Establish effective IT policies and procedures that improve operational efficiency by 20% while maintaining strong controls and compliance.

Stakeholder Engagement - Build strong partnerships with key stakeholders across the organization, achieving at least 85% satisfaction ratings regarding IT governance initiatives and communications within the first year.

Ideal Candidate Traits

Strategic thinker who can balance governance requirements with business needs
Excellent communicator who can translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences
Detail-oriented with strong analytical capabilities and organizational skills
Proactive problem-solver who anticipates and addresses potential issues
Collaborative leader who builds relationships across organizational boundaries
Change agent comfortable with driving improvements in established processes
Resilient professional who maintains composure when facing resistance or challenges
Continuous learner who stays current with evolving governance frameworks and technologies
Ethical practitioner with high integrity and commitment to organizational values

Recruiting Screening Interview

Directions for the Interviewer

This initial screening interview aims to quickly identify candidates with the potential to succeed in the IT Governance Manager role. Focus on relevant experience, understanding of key governance concepts, and essential skills that indicate a good fit. This early assessment will help determine which candidates should progress to subsequent interviews.

Keep the conversation conversational but focused. Pay attention to how candidates articulate complex technical concepts and their approach to governance challenges. Look for evidence of strategic thinking, stakeholder management experience, and a balance between governance rigor and business enablement. Be sure to leave 5-10 minutes at the end for candidate questions.

Directions to Share with Candidate

We'll spend about 30 minutes discussing your background, experience with IT governance, compliance, and risk management, and your approach to key challenges in this domain. I'll ask about your relevant experience and how you've handled governance situations in the past. We'll have time at the end for any questions you might have about the role or our organization.

Interview Questions

Tell me about your experience with IT governance frameworks and how you've implemented them in previous roles.

Areas to Cover

Specific frameworks the candidate has worked with (COBIT, ITIL, ISO 27001, etc.)
Scale and scope of implementation projects
Approach to customizing frameworks to meet organizational needs
Challenges faced and how they were overcome
Results and benefits achieved from implementation

Possible Follow-up Questions

How did you determine which framework was most appropriate for the organization?
What stakeholders did you engage with during the implementation process?
How did you measure the success of the implementation?
What would you do differently in future implementations?

Describe how you've managed IT-related risks in previous roles. What was your approach to risk assessment and mitigation?

Areas to Cover

Methodologies used for risk identification and assessment
Process for prioritizing risks and developing mitigation strategies
Experience with risk registers and risk management tools
Examples of successfully mitigated risks
Communication of risk information to leadership and stakeholders

Possible Follow-up Questions

How did you balance risk mitigation with business needs and constraints?
Can you share an example of a particularly challenging risk situation and how you handled it?
How did you maintain ongoing risk monitoring?
What metrics did you use to track risk management effectiveness?

How have you ensured compliance with regulatory requirements in your IT governance work?

Areas to Cover

Specific regulations the candidate has experience with
Methods for staying current with changing requirements
Processes for implementing and validating compliance controls
Experience with compliance reporting and audit preparation
Approach to addressing compliance gaps or findings

Possible Follow-up Questions

How do you translate complex regulatory requirements into practical controls?
Can you describe your experience preparing for or supporting IT audits?
How have you handled situations where compliance requirements conflicted with business objectives?
What tools or techniques have you found most effective for tracking compliance status?

Tell me about your experience developing IT policies and procedures. What is your approach to creating effective governance documentation?

Areas to Cover

Process for developing and updating governance documentation
Methods for ensuring policies are clear, comprehensive, and actionable
Approach to gaining stakeholder buy-in for new policies
Experience with policy management tools or systems
Examples of policy improvements and their impact

Possible Follow-up Questions

How do you ensure policies remain current and relevant?
What techniques have you used to improve policy adoption and adherence?
How have you handled resistance to new or changed policies?
Can you share an example of a particularly successful policy implementation?

Describe your experience working with stakeholders at different levels of an organization to implement governance initiatives.

Areas to Cover

Approach to identifying and engaging key stakeholders
Communication strategies for different audience types
Methods for gaining buy-in and support
Examples of overcoming resistance or objections
Building and maintaining stakeholder relationships

Possible Follow-up Questions

How have you handled situations where stakeholders had conflicting priorities?
What techniques have you found most effective for communicating complex governance concepts?
Can you share an example of successfully influencing without authority?
How do you balance governance requirements with stakeholder needs?

What do you see as the most significant IT governance challenges facing organizations today, and how would you address them?

Areas to Cover

Current knowledge of governance trends and challenges
Strategic thinking and forward-looking perspective
Understanding of emerging technologies and their governance implications
Balanced approach to governance that enables rather than restricts
Innovative ideas for addressing complex challenges

Possible Follow-up Questions

How do you stay current with evolving governance trends and requirements?
How does cloud computing, AI, or other specific technologies impact governance approaches?
What governance innovations do you think will be most important in the next 3-5 years?
How would you help an organization prepare for these future challenges?

Interview Scorecard

Understanding of IT Governance Frameworks

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited knowledge of frameworks or superficial implementation experience
2: Familiar with common frameworks but limited depth in application
3: Strong knowledge of multiple frameworks with successful implementation experience
4: Expert-level understanding with demonstrated ability to customize and integrate frameworks for optimal organizational benefit

Risk Management Approach

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Basic understanding of risk concepts without practical application
2: Has applied standard risk methodologies with moderate success
3: Demonstrates comprehensive risk management experience with clear methodology
4: Shows sophisticated risk management approach with proven success in complex environments

Communication & Stakeholder Management

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Communication skills below expectations for senior role
2: Adequate communication skills but limited stakeholder management experience
3: Strong communicator with demonstrated stakeholder management success
4: Exceptional communication abilities with proven success influencing across all organizational levels

Governance Framework Implementation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Unlikely to achieve comprehensive framework implementation
2: Likely to achieve partial framework implementation with gaps
3: Likely to successfully implement complete governance framework
4: Likely to implement exceptional framework with measurable business benefits

Risk Mitigation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Unlikely to achieve meaningful risk reduction
2: Likely to achieve modest risk reduction below target
3: Likely to achieve target risk reduction
4: Likely to exceed risk reduction targets with innovative approaches

Policy Enhancement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Unlikely to improve policy effectiveness or efficiency
2: Likely to achieve minor improvements in policy framework
3: Likely to successfully enhance policies with noticeable efficiency gains
4: Likely to transform policy infrastructure with significant positive impact

Stakeholder Engagement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Unlikely to build effective stakeholder relationships
2: Likely to establish adequate but not strong stakeholder partnerships
3: Likely to build strong stakeholder relationships meeting satisfaction targets
4: Likely to create exceptional stakeholder partnerships exceeding satisfaction targets

Hiring Recommendation

1: Strong No Hire
2: No Hire
3: Hire
4: Strong Hire

IT Governance Framework Assessment (Work Sample)

Directions for the Interviewer

This exercise evaluates the candidate's practical approach to IT governance challenges. It assesses their ability to analyze a governance situation, identify key issues, and develop appropriate solutions. The goal is to see how they apply their knowledge in a realistic scenario and evaluate their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Provide the assessment to the candidate at least 24 hours before your scheduled discussion. Explain that they should spend no more than 2 hours on the preparation. During the interview, have the candidate present their analysis and recommendations, then discuss their approach and thinking process. Focus on their methodology, the clarity of their thinking, and the practicality of their recommendations. Assess both the content of their response and how they communicate complex governance concepts.

Directions to Share with Candidate

This assessment evaluates your approach to IT governance challenges. You'll receive a scenario describing a fictional company facing IT governance issues. Please review the scenario and prepare a brief analysis and set of recommendations addressing the company's needs. You should spend no more than 2 hours on preparation.

During our meeting, you'll have 15-20 minutes to present your analysis and recommendations, followed by a discussion about your approach. Please focus on:

Key governance issues identified
Recommended framework(s) and approach
Implementation priorities and challenges
How success would be measured

Scenario for Candidate:

[Company X] is a mid-sized financial services firm that has grown rapidly through several acquisitions. The company now operates multiple IT systems with inconsistent controls and processes. Recent compliance audits have identified several concerns, and the management team is worried about potential regulatory issues and security risks. The CEO has asked you to develop an IT governance framework that will address these challenges.

The company has the following characteristics:

500 employees across 5 regional offices
Highly regulated industry with strict data protection requirements
Mix of legacy systems and newer cloud-based applications
Decentralized IT management with limited coordination
Growing concern about cybersecurity threats
No formal risk management process for IT
Limited documentation of IT policies and procedures

Please develop a high-level IT governance approach that addresses these challenges. Include:

Recommended governance framework(s)
Key components/domains to prioritize
Implementation approach and timeline
Success metrics and monitoring approach
Potential challenges and how to address them

Interview Scorecard

Governance Framework Knowledge

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited understanding of appropriate frameworks for the scenario
2: Basic framework knowledge but incomplete application to the scenario
3: Strong framework knowledge with appropriate application to the scenario
4: Expert-level understanding with sophisticated adaptation to scenario needs

Problem Identification & Analysis

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Failed to identify critical issues or provided superficial analysis
2: Identified main issues but analysis lacked depth or prioritization
3: Comprehensive identification and thorough analysis of governance issues
4: Exceptional analysis with insights beyond the obvious problems

Solution Development

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Proposed solutions were inappropriate or insufficient
2: Solutions addressed some issues but lacked cohesion or completeness
3: Well-developed, practical solutions addressing all major issues
4: Innovative, comprehensive solutions showing exceptional understanding

Implementation Planning

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Unrealistic or overly vague implementation approach
2: Basic implementation plan lacking detail or consideration of constraints
3: Practical, well-structured implementation plan with appropriate phasing
4: Sophisticated implementation strategy balancing urgency, resources, and change management

Communication Clarity

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Ineffective communication of complex governance concepts
2: Adequate communication but room for improvement in clarity or organization
3: Clear, well-organized communication of analysis and recommendations
4: Exceptional ability to articulate complex concepts with precision and impact

Governance Framework Implementation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Unlikely to successfully implement a governance framework
2: Likely to implement a partial framework with significant gaps
3: Likely to implement a comprehensive framework meeting requirements
4: Likely to implement an exceptional framework with additional business benefits

Risk Mitigation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Approach unlikely to reduce risks effectively
2: Approach likely to address some but not all significant risks
3: Approach likely to successfully address all major risk areas
4: Approach likely to exceed expectations in risk reduction and management

Policy Enhancement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Policy approach unlikely to improve current state
2: Policy approach likely to yield modest improvements
3: Policy approach likely to create effective, comprehensive documentation
4: Policy approach likely to create exceptional governance documentation with measurable efficiency gains

Stakeholder Engagement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Little consideration of stakeholder engagement in approach
2: Basic stakeholder considerations but incomplete engagement strategy
3: Well-developed stakeholder approach with appropriate engagement strategies
4: Sophisticated stakeholder strategy likely to create strong buy-in and partnership

Chronological Interview with Hiring Manager

Directions for the Interviewer

This interview explores the candidate's career progression and experiences in IT governance, risk management, and compliance. The goal is to understand the depth and breadth of their experience, how they've developed their expertise, and patterns of success or challenges across roles. Focus on their most relevant experiences and dive deeply into projects, accomplishments, and lessons learned.

Structure the conversation chronologically, starting with earlier relevant roles and moving forward. For each role, explore responsibilities, major projects, challenges, and achievements related to IT governance. Pay attention to how the candidate's approach has evolved over time and how they've handled increasingly complex situations. Look for evidence of growth in leadership, strategic thinking, and governance expertise.

Allow 60-90 minutes for this interview, ensuring you leave 10-15 minutes for candidate questions. Take detailed notes on specific examples and accomplishments that demonstrate the candidate's capabilities in our essential competencies.

Directions to Share with Candidate

In this interview, we'll explore your career journey in IT governance, risk management, and compliance. We'll start with your earlier relevant roles and move forward chronologically, discussing your key responsibilities, major projects, challenges, and accomplishments in each position. I'm interested in understanding how your experience has prepared you for this role and how your approach to governance has evolved over time. We'll have time at the end for any questions you might have.

Interview Questions

To start, could you tell me which of your previous roles you think have been most relevant to this IT Governance Manager position and why?

Areas to Cover

Overall career progression in governance, risk, and compliance
Self-awareness about transferable skills and experiences
Understanding of the IT Governance Manager role requirements
Candidate's perspective on what constitutes relevant experience
Career decisions and transitions related to governance roles

Possible Follow-up Questions

What attracted you to focus on IT governance in your career?
How have your career goals in this area evolved over time?
What gaps, if any, do you see in your experience relative to this role?
What motivated your transitions between roles or organizations?

Let's go back to [earliest relevant position]. What were your primary responsibilities related to IT governance, and what major initiatives did you lead or contribute to?

Areas to Cover

Scope of governance responsibilities in this role
Types of governance frameworks or methodologies used
Key projects and initiatives
Level of authority and influence
Team size and structure if applicable
Growth in responsibility over time in this role

Possible Follow-up Questions

What governance challenges did you face in this role?
How did you measure success for your governance initiatives?
How did this experience shape your approach to governance?
What skills or knowledge did you develop in this role?

In your role at [company name], tell me about a significant IT governance framework implementation or enhancement you managed. What was your approach, and what results did you achieve?

Areas to Cover

Framework selection and customization process
Implementation methodology and phases
Stakeholder engagement and change management
Challenges encountered and how they were addressed
Metrics used to evaluate success
Business impact of the implementation

Possible Follow-up Questions

How did you gain buy-in from stakeholders for this initiative?
What resistance did you encounter, and how did you overcome it?
What would you do differently if you were implementing this framework today?
How did you ensure the framework remained relevant after implementation?

During your time at [company name], how did you handle IT risk management? Tell me about your most challenging risk situation and how you addressed it.

Areas to Cover

Risk assessment methodology used
Risk prioritization approach
Risk mitigation strategies developed
Communication with leadership about risks
Specific example of managing a significant risk
Outcome and lessons learned

Possible Follow-up Questions

How did you balance risk management with business objectives?
What tools or technologies did you use to support your risk management process?
How did you ensure ongoing monitoring of identified risks?
How did your approach to risk management evolve over time in this role?

Tell me about your experience ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements at [company name]. What specific regulations were you responsible for, and how did you ensure compliance?

Areas to Cover

Specific regulations managed (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, etc.)
Compliance management methodology
Control implementation and testing
Audit preparation and support
Remediation of compliance issues
Ongoing compliance monitoring

Possible Follow-up Questions

How did you stay current with changing regulatory requirements?
What was your approach to preparing for compliance audits?
How did you handle situations where compliance findings were identified?
How did you balance strict compliance with business operational needs?

In your role at [company name], how did you develop and manage IT policies and procedures? What was your approach to ensuring they were effective and followed?

Areas to Cover

Policy development methodology
Stakeholder involvement in policy creation
Policy communication and training
Monitoring policy compliance
Policy review and update process
Examples of successful policy implementations

Possible Follow-up Questions

How did you handle resistance to policy requirements?
What methods did you use to ensure policies remained current?
How did you measure the effectiveness of policies?
What tools or systems did you use for policy management?

At [company name], how did you engage with stakeholders across the organization to implement governance initiatives? Tell me about a particularly challenging stakeholder situation and how you handled it.

Areas to Cover

Stakeholder identification and analysis approach
Communication strategies for different stakeholder groups
Methods for building relationships and trust
Techniques for influencing without authority
Specific example of overcoming stakeholder resistance
Outcomes and lessons learned

Possible Follow-up Questions

How did you tailor your communication to different stakeholder groups?
What techniques did you find most effective for gaining buy-in?
How did you handle situations where stakeholders had conflicting priorities?
How did you maintain stakeholder engagement over time?

Looking across your career, how has your approach to IT governance evolved over time? What key lessons have you learned?

Areas to Cover

Evolution in governance philosophy and approach
Adaptation to changing technology and business environments
Major lessons learned from successes and failures
Professional growth and development
Current governance philosophy and principles
Future trends or directions in governance

Possible Follow-up Questions

What governance approaches have you found most effective?
How have you adapted your approach to different organizational cultures?
What resources or communities do you rely on to continue developing your expertise?
How do you see IT governance evolving in the next few years?

Which job that you've had in the past does this IT Governance Manager role remind you of the most, and why?

Areas to Cover

Understanding of the current role requirements
Self-awareness about relevant experiences and transferable skills
Realistic assessment of similarities and differences
Readiness for specific challenges in this role
Motivation and interest in the position

Possible Follow-up Questions

What aspects of that role did you find most rewarding?
What challenges from that role do you anticipate in this position?
How would you approach this role differently based on your past experience?
What additional skills or knowledge have you developed since that role that would benefit you in this position?

Interview Scorecard

Risk Management & Compliance Experience

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited experience with risk management and compliance frameworks
2: Some experience but lacks depth or breadth in critical areas
3: Strong experience implementing and managing risk and compliance programs
4: Exceptional risk and compliance expertise with demonstrated success in complex environments

Strategic IT Governance Implementation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited experience implementing comprehensive governance frameworks
2: Has implemented governance components but lacks full framework experience
3: Successfully implemented complete governance frameworks with good results
4: Demonstrated excellence in governance implementation with measurable business impact

Stakeholder Management Capability

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited evidence of effective stakeholder engagement
2: Some stakeholder management success but room for improvement
3: Strong history of effective stakeholder engagement across multiple levels
4: Exceptional stakeholder management skills with proven ability to influence without authority

Leadership Growth Trajectory

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited growth in leadership capability throughout career
2: Some growth in leadership responsibilities but inconsistent progression
3: Clear progression of leadership capabilities and responsibilities
4: Exceptional leadership development with increasing impact and influence

Governance Framework Implementation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Past performance suggests unlikely to achieve framework implementation goals
2: Has potential to partially implement governance framework
3: Past success indicates likely to achieve framework implementation goals
4: Track record suggests will exceed expectations for framework implementation

Risk Mitigation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Past performance suggests unlikely to achieve risk reduction goals
2: May achieve some risk reduction but below target levels
3: Past success indicates likely to achieve risk reduction targets
4: Track record suggests will exceed risk reduction goals

Policy Enhancement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited evidence of ability to enhance policy effectiveness
2: Some success with policy improvements but below target expectations
3: Demonstrated ability to create effective policies likely to meet targets
4: Exceptional policy development history suggesting will exceed targets

Stakeholder Engagement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: History suggests will struggle to build effective stakeholder relationships
2: May build adequate but not exceptional stakeholder relationships
3: Past success indicates likely to build strong stakeholder partnerships
4: Track record of exceptional stakeholder engagement suggesting will exceed targets

Competency Interview: Risk Management and Compliance

Directions for the Interviewer

This interview focuses on evaluating the candidate's capabilities in two critical competency areas: Risk Management & Compliance and Problem Solving & Decision Making. The goal is to assess the depth of the candidate's experience and skills through behavioral questions that reveal past performance and approaches.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to guide the candidate's responses and ensure you get complete examples. Probe deeply to understand the context, their specific actions, their thought processes, and the outcomes they achieved. Look for evidence of a systematic approach to risk management, compliance expertise, analytical thinking, and sound judgment. Pay particular attention to how they balance governance requirements with business needs.

Plan for a 60-minute interview with three core questions plus follow-ups. Leave 10 minutes at the end for candidate questions. Take detailed notes on specific examples and ask clarifying questions to ensure you fully understand the depth and breadth of their experience.

Directions to Share with Candidate

In this interview, we'll focus on your experience with risk management, compliance, problem-solving, and decision-making in IT governance contexts. I'll ask you to share specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your capabilities in these areas. For each example, please describe the situation, your specific role, the actions you took, and the results you achieved. We'll have time at the end for any questions you might have about the role or organization.

Interview Questions

Tell me about a time when you identified and successfully mitigated a significant IT-related risk that had the potential to impact your organization's operations or compliance status. (Risk Management & Compliance)

Areas to Cover

Process used to identify and assess the risk
Methods for quantifying or qualifying risk impact and likelihood
Risk mitigation strategy development approach
Implementation of risk controls or countermeasures
Stakeholder engagement throughout the process
Monitoring and follow-up activities
Results achieved and lessons learned
How they balanced risk mitigation with business constraints

Possible Follow-up Questions

How did you prioritize this risk among other concerns?
What tools or frameworks did you use to assess the risk?
How did you gain stakeholder buy-in for your mitigation approach?
How did you measure the effectiveness of your risk mitigation?
What would you do differently if facing a similar situation today?

Describe a situation where you had to ensure compliance with a new or changing regulatory requirement that significantly impacted your organization's IT operations. How did you approach this challenge? (Risk Management & Compliance)

Areas to Cover

Understanding of the regulatory requirement and its implications
Assessment of current state and compliance gaps
Approach to developing compliance controls or processes
Implementation methodology and change management
Testing and validation of compliance measures
Communication with regulators or auditors if applicable
Outcomes achieved and business impact
Approach to ongoing compliance monitoring

Possible Follow-up Questions

How did you stay informed about the regulatory changes?
What challenges did you face in implementing the necessary changes?
How did you balance compliance requirements with operational concerns?
How did you ensure the sustainability of the compliance program?
What stakeholders did you engage, and how did you manage their expectations?

Tell me about a complex IT governance problem you had to solve that had no obvious solution. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome? (Problem Solving & Decision Making)

Areas to Cover

Problem identification and analysis process
Information gathering and research approach
Analytical methods used to evaluate options
Decision-making process and criteria
Stakeholder involvement in solution development
Implementation planning and execution
Results achieved and measurement approach
Lessons learned and application to future challenges

Possible Follow-up Questions

What made this problem particularly challenging?
How did you handle ambiguity or incomplete information?
What alternative solutions did you consider, and why did you reject them?
How did you gain support for your approach?
How did you know when you had a successful outcome?
How has this experience influenced your problem-solving approach?

Interview Scorecard

Risk Assessment & Analysis

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Uses basic or inconsistent risk assessment approaches
2: Applies standard risk methodologies with moderate effectiveness
3: Demonstrates thorough risk assessment capabilities with clear methodology
4: Shows sophisticated risk analysis skills with nuanced understanding of impact and likelihood

Compliance Management

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Basic understanding of compliance requirements with limited implementation experience
2: Adequate compliance management skills but lacks depth in complex situations
3: Strong compliance expertise with demonstrated ability to implement effective controls
4: Exceptional compliance management capabilities with proven success in complex regulatory environments

Problem Analysis & Solution Development

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Simplistic problem analysis with limited solution development skills
2: Adequate analysis abilities but solutions may lack innovation or thoroughness
3: Strong analytical skills with well-developed solution approaches
4: Exceptional problem analysis with innovative, comprehensive solution development

Decision Making Under Uncertainty

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Uncomfortable with ambiguity, seeks complete information before deciding
2: Makes adequate decisions with incomplete information but lacks confidence
3: Makes sound decisions with incomplete information using clear criteria
4: Makes exceptional decisions in ambiguous situations, balancing analysis with judgment

Governance Framework Implementation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Examples suggest unlikely to achieve framework implementation goals
2: May partially implement governance framework with gaps
3: Likely to successfully implement comprehensive governance framework
4: Demonstrated capability to exceed expectations for framework implementation

Risk Mitigation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Approaches suggest unlikely to achieve significant risk reduction
2: May achieve partial risk reduction below target levels
3: Likely to successfully reduce risks to meet targets
4: Demonstrated capability to exceed risk reduction targets

Policy Enhancement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited evidence of ability to enhance policies effectively
2: May improve policies somewhat but below efficiency targets
3: Likely to create effective policies meeting efficiency targets
4: Demonstrated exceptional policy development capability

Stakeholder Engagement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited evidence of effective stakeholder engagement
2: Some success with stakeholders but below satisfaction targets
3: Likely to build strong stakeholder relationships meeting targets
4: Demonstrated exceptional stakeholder engagement capability

Competency Interview: IT Governance Policy and Stakeholder Management (Optional)

Directions for the Interviewer

This interview focuses on the candidate's capabilities in Communication & Stakeholder Management and Leadership & Continuous Improvement. As these competencies are critical to success in the IT Governance Manager role, this assessment will help determine if the candidate can effectively communicate governance requirements, build relationships across the organization, and drive continuous improvement in governance processes.

Use behavioral questions to elicit specific examples of past performance and approaches. Guide the candidate to provide complete examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Probe beyond initial responses to understand their communication strategies, stakeholder management techniques, leadership approach, and commitment to continuous improvement. Look for evidence of influence without authority, adaptability in communication style, and a track record of governance enhancements.

Plan for a 60-minute interview with three core questions plus follow-ups. Leave 10 minutes at the end for candidate questions. Take detailed notes on specific examples and clarify any aspects that seem vague or incomplete.

Directions to Share with Candidate

In this interview, we'll focus on your communication abilities, stakeholder management approach, leadership style, and experience with continuous improvement in IT governance. I'll ask you to share specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your capabilities in these areas. For each example, please describe the situation, your specific role, the actions you took, and the results you achieved. We'll have time at the end for any questions you have about the role or organization.

Interview Questions

Tell me about a time when you had to communicate complex IT governance requirements to non-technical stakeholders. How did you approach this, and what was the outcome? (Communication & Stakeholder Management)

Areas to Cover

Assessment of stakeholder knowledge and communication needs
Strategies for translating technical concepts into business language
Communication methods and materials developed
Tailoring of messages for different audiences
Handling of questions or concerns
Follow-up to ensure understanding
Feedback received and lessons learned
Impact on governance initiative success

Possible Follow-up Questions

How did you determine the appropriate level of detail for different stakeholders?
What challenges did you face in translating technical concepts, and how did you overcome them?
How did you handle resistance or confusion from stakeholders?
How did you know your communication was effective?
How has this experience shaped your communication approach?

Describe a situation where you had to gain buy-in for an IT governance initiative from stakeholders with competing priorities or initial resistance. How did you manage this? (Communication & Stakeholder Management)

Areas to Cover

Stakeholder analysis approach and identification of concerns
Strategy for engaging resistant stakeholders
Methods for demonstrating value and addressing concerns
Negotiation or compromise techniques used
Building of relationships and trust
Steps taken to maintain ongoing engagement
Results achieved and stakeholder feedback
Lessons learned about effective influence

Possible Follow-up Questions

What specific objections or concerns did you encounter?
How did you tailor your approach to different stakeholder groups?
What techniques did you find most effective for gaining buy-in?
How did you address situations where stakeholders had conflicting priorities?
How did you maintain stakeholder support throughout the initiative?

Tell me about your most significant achievement in improving an IT governance process or framework. What was your approach to identifying the opportunity and implementing the improvement? (Leadership & Continuous Improvement)

Areas to Cover

Process for identifying improvement opportunities
Analysis methods used to evaluate current state
Approach to designing enhancements
Leadership in driving the improvement initiative
Change management techniques employed
Stakeholder engagement throughout the process
Measurement of improvement impact
Sustaining the improvements over time

Possible Follow-up Questions

What prompted you to focus on this particular improvement opportunity?
How did you gain support for your improvement initiative?
What challenges did you encounter during implementation, and how did you address them?
How did you measure the success of your improvements?
What did you learn from this experience about leading governance improvements?

Interview Scorecard

Communication Effectiveness

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Basic communication skills with limited ability to translate complex concepts
2: Adequate communication but room for improvement in clarity or audience adaptation
3: Strong communicator able to effectively convey complex governance concepts
4: Exceptional communication skills with demonstrated ability to inspire and influence

Stakeholder Engagement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited stakeholder management experience or superficial engagement
2: Some success with stakeholder engagement but inconsistent results
3: Strong stakeholder management abilities with consistent relationship building
4: Sophisticated stakeholder strategies with proven success influencing diverse audiences

Leadership Capability

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited leadership experience or primarily directive approach
2: Developing leadership skills with some successful team guidance
3: Effective leader who can motivate others and drive initiatives forward
4: Exceptional leader who inspires commitment and brings out the best in teams

Continuous Improvement Orientation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Reactive approach to improvement with limited proactive initiatives
2: Some proactive improvement efforts but lacks systematic approach
3: Regular identification and implementation of meaningful improvements
4: Exceptional track record of transformative improvements with measurable impact

Governance Framework Implementation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Examples suggest unlikely to achieve framework implementation goals
2: May partially implement governance framework with gaps
3: Likely to successfully implement comprehensive governance framework
4: Demonstrated capability to exceed expectations for framework implementation

Risk Mitigation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Communication approach suggests limited effectiveness in risk reduction
2: May achieve partial risk reduction with communication strategies
3: Communication skills likely to support successful risk reduction
4: Exceptional communication likely to enhance risk reduction efforts

Policy Enhancement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited evidence of ability to enhance policies effectively
2: May improve policies somewhat but below efficiency targets
3: Likely to create effective policies meeting efficiency targets
4: Demonstrated exceptional policy development capability

Stakeholder Engagement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited evidence of effective stakeholder relationship building
2: Some success with stakeholders but below satisfaction targets
3: Likely to build strong stakeholder relationships meeting targets
4: Demonstrated exceptional stakeholder engagement capability

Debrief Meeting

Directions for Conducting the Debrief Meeting

The Debrief Meeting brings together all interviewers to share insights and assessments of the IT Governance Manager candidate. Use the questions below to guide a structured yet open discussion.
Start by reviewing the essential competencies and desired outcomes for the role to ensure everyone evaluates the candidate against consistent criteria.
The meeting leader should create an environment where differing opinions are welcomed and valued, even if they contradict the emerging consensus.
Consider interview scores as important data points, but focus the discussion on specific examples and observations rather than just numerical ratings.
Encourage interviewers to revise their assessments based on new information shared during the discussion.
Document the key points and rationale for the final decision to serve as a reference if needed later.

Questions to Guide the Debrief Meeting

Question: Does anyone have any questions for the other interviewers about the candidate?

Guidance: The meeting facilitator should initially present themselves as neutral and try not to sway the conversation before others have a chance to speak up.

Question: Are there any additional comments about the Candidate?

Guidance: This is an opportunity for all the interviewers to share anything they learned that is important for the other interviewers to know.

Question: Is there anything further we need to investigate before making a decision?

Guidance: Based on this discussion, you may decide to probe further on certain issues with the candidate or explore specific issues in the reference calls.

Question: Has anyone changed their hire/no-hire recommendation?

Guidance: This is an opportunity for the interviewers to change their recommendation from the new information they learned in this meeting.

Question: If the consensus is no hire, should the candidate be considered for other roles? If so, what roles?

Guidance: Discuss whether engaging with the candidate about a different role would be worthwhile.

Question: What are the next steps?

Guidance: If there is no consensus, follow the process for that situation (e.g., it is the hiring manager's decision). Further investigation may be needed before making the decision. If there is a consensus on hiring, reference checks could be the next step.

Reference Checks

Directions for Conducting Reference Checks

Reference checks provide valuable insights into the candidate's past performance, working style, and capabilities that may not be fully revealed during interviews. For an IT Governance Manager, references can validate technical expertise, stakeholder management approach, leadership style, and overall effectiveness in governance roles.

When conducting reference checks:

Request references who can speak to the candidate's IT governance, risk management, and compliance experience
Ideally, speak with former managers and key stakeholders from different organizational levels
Conduct at least 2-3 reference conversations for a comprehensive perspective
Use the same questions for all references to enable comparison
Listen carefully for hesitations, qualifiers, or lukewarm endorsements
Ask for specific examples rather than accepting general assessments
Follow up on any areas of concern identified during interviews

Take detailed notes during each reference conversation and compile insights to share during the final decision-making process. Be particularly attentive to feedback about the candidate's ability to build stakeholder relationships and balance governance rigor with business needs.

Questions for Reference Checks

In what capacity did you work with [Candidate], and for how long?

Areas to Cover

Nature of professional relationship
Duration of working relationship
Candidate's role and responsibilities
Reference's ability to observe relevant skills and performance
Organizational context (industry, size, complexity)

How would you describe [Candidate]'s expertise in IT governance, risk management, and compliance?

Areas to Cover

Technical knowledge of governance frameworks
Approach to risk identification and management
Compliance expertise and regulatory understanding
Practical implementation of governance principles
Strengths and development areas in governance domains

Can you provide a specific example of how [Candidate] successfully implemented or improved an IT governance framework or process?

Areas to Cover

Initiative scope and complexity
Candidate's specific contributions and approach
Challenges encountered and how they were addressed
Results achieved and business impact
Leadership demonstrated during the initiative

How effective was [Candidate] at communicating complex governance concepts to different stakeholders and gaining buy-in for governance initiatives?

Areas to Cover

Communication style and effectiveness
Ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences
Stakeholder management approach and relationship building
Influence without authority
Handling of resistance or objections

What was [Candidate]'s approach to balancing governance requirements with business needs?

Areas to Cover

Pragmatism versus rigidity in governance application
Understanding of business context and priorities
Decision-making approach when facing competing demands
Ability to find solutions that meet both governance and business needs
Flexibility and adaptability in different situations

On a scale of 1-10, how likely would you be to hire or work with [Candidate] again in an IT governance role, and why?

Areas to Cover

Overall assessment of performance and capability
Specific reasons for rating
Comparison to others in similar roles
Any hesitations or qualifications in the recommendation
Enthusiasm level for recommending the candidate

Is there anything else you think we should know about [Candidate] that would help us evaluate their fit for an IT Governance Manager role?

Areas to Cover

Any insights not covered by previous questions
Management or working style considerations
Potential development areas or support needs
Cultural fit considerations
Forward-looking assessment of potential

Reference Check Scorecard

IT Governance Expertise

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited governance knowledge or application according to reference
2: Adequate governance capabilities with some limitations noted
3: Strong governance expertise confirmed across multiple domains
4: Exceptional governance knowledge and application validated

Risk Management Capability

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Basic risk management approach with limited effectiveness
2: Adequate risk management skills with room for development
3: Strong risk management capabilities with demonstrated success
4: Sophisticated risk management approach with exceptional results

Stakeholder Management & Communication

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Challenges with stakeholder engagement or communication noted
2: Generally effective with stakeholders but with some limitations
3: Strong stakeholder management confirmed with good relationships
4: Exceptional ability to influence and build stakeholder partnerships

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: Limited leadership or improvement orientation reported
2: Some leadership capability with modest improvement initiatives
3: Effective leadership with regular process improvements
4: Outstanding leadership with transformative improvement impact

Governance Framework Implementation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: References suggest candidate unlikely to achieve implementation goals
2: References indicate partial success likely with some limitations
3: References confirm capability to implement comprehensive frameworks
4: References validate exceptional framework implementation skills

Risk Mitigation

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: References suggest limited effectiveness in risk reduction
2: References indicate some success with risk mitigation
3: References confirm successful risk reduction meeting targets
4: References validate outstanding risk management results

Policy Enhancement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: References indicate limited policy development effectiveness
2: References suggest adequate but not exceptional policy work
3: References confirm effective policy development meeting needs
4: References validate transformative policy improvements

Stakeholder Engagement

0: Not Enough Information Gathered to Evaluate
1: References report challenges with stakeholder relationships
2: References indicate adequate stakeholder management
3: References confirm strong stakeholder partnerships
4: References validate exceptional stakeholder influence and trust

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I adapt this interview guide for a less experienced IT Governance Manager candidate?

For candidates with less experience, focus more on their understanding of governance principles and frameworks rather than extensive implementation experience. Emphasize their learning agility and problem-solving capabilities. Consider replacing the Chronological Interview with an additional Competency Interview that explores their technical knowledge and potential for growth. You may also want to simplify the Work Sample to focus on governance fundamentals rather than complex scenarios.

What if a candidate has strong IT experience but limited formal governance background?

Look for transferable skills and experiences that demonstrate governance-related capabilities, such as process improvement, compliance activities, or risk management. During interviews, explore how they've applied governance principles even if they didn't use formal frameworks. The Work Sample can be particularly valuable to assess their approach to governance challenges regardless of formal background. Consider our guide on hiring for potential for additional strategies.

How can I assess a candidate's ability to balance governance rigor with business enablement?

Listen for examples where candidates have tailored governance approaches to business needs rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions. Ask follow-up questions about how they've handled situations where strict governance would impede business operations. Look for evidence of pragmatism, flexibility, and risk-based decision making in their responses. The Competency Interview focusing on Stakeholder Management is particularly useful for evaluating this balance.

What red flags should I watch for when interviewing IT Governance Manager candidates?

Watch for rigid thinking, overemphasis on compliance without business context, inability to explain complex concepts simply, lack of examples of influencing without authority, or limited experience with stakeholder management. Also be concerned if candidates cannot provide specific examples of governance implementations or risk mitigation successes. For more insights on evaluating candidates effectively, review our guide to conducting job interviews.

How should I evaluate candidates with experience in different industries or regulatory environments?

Focus on the transferability of governance principles and approaches rather than specific industry knowledge. Ask how they've adapted to new regulatory requirements in the past. Look for evidence of learning agility and research skills that would enable them to quickly understand new compliance landscapes. The core governance competencies—risk management, stakeholder engagement, and process improvement—typically transfer well across industries.

What's the best way to use the Work Sample to differentiate between candidates?

Beyond evaluating the content of their response, pay attention to their approach, methodology, and thinking process. The strongest candidates will demonstrate a structured analysis, practical recommendations, and a balance between governance and business needs. Ask probing questions about their rationale for prioritization and implementation approach to understand their strategic thinking. Consider how they communicate complex concepts during the presentation portion to assess their stakeholder management potential.