The role of metadata in data management systems is to provide essential information about other data, making it easier to retrieve, understand, and organize. Metadata includes details such as data type, source, relationships, and context, serving as a roadmap for navigating complex datasets. It enhances data governance by improving data quality, aiding in metadata management, and facilitating compliance with regulations. By enriching data with metadata, organizations can better leverage their information assets for analysis and decision-making.