Data and AI Governance Lead

Our client, a prominent financial services organisation, is seeking a Data & AI Governance Lead to play a strategic leadership role in shaping and embedding governance practices across Data Management, Information Lifecycle Management, and Artificial Intelligence initiatives. The successful candidate will drive governance frameworks, AI risk oversight, regulatory compliance, and data quality initiatives while influencing senior stakeholders across the business.

This is a highly visible role with significant exposure to executive leadership, audit, risk, compliance, technology, and business stakeholders, offering the opportunity to lead enterprise governance transformation initiatives within a complex and evolving data landscape.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement Data & AI Governance strategies, frameworks, standards, policies, and operating models aligned to business objectives
• Lead the establishment of decision rights, governance structures, committees, forums, and accountability frameworks
• Drive enterprise-wide Data Governance and Information Lifecycle Management initiatives
• Define and maintain Responsible AI governance frameworks, controls, standards, and assurance processes
• Oversee AI risk management practices covering explainability, fairness, bias, transparency, accountability, privacy, security, and operational resilience
• Govern AI use-case intake, prioritisation, approval, and monitoring processes
• Conduct AI Readiness assessments for strategic datasets and data products prior to AI deployment
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements including POPIA and other applicable governance frameworks
• Develop and enhance data quality, metadata, lineage, ownership, stewardship, and control frameworks
• Establish and maintain effective data risk management and governance assurance practices
• Partner with Internal Audit, Risk, Compliance, and Technology teams to ensure governance effectiveness
• Lead governance assessments, audits, remediation initiatives, and compliance reviews
• Drive Data Governance adoption, education, awareness, and organisational maturity
• Mentor Data Governance practitioners, Data Stewards, and junior governance professionals
• Support change management initiatives to drive a strong data and information management culture
• Monitor industry developments, regulatory changes, and emerging best practices in Data Governance and Responsible AI
• Contribute strategic insights and recommendations to senior management regarding Data and AI governance risks and opportunities

Job Experience and Skills Required:

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Risk Management, Computer Science, Information Studies, Information Management, Data Management or a related field
• Postgraduate qualification advantageous

Experience:

• Minimum 8 years' experience within Data Governance, Information Management, Data Risk, Data Management, Information Lifecycle Management, or related disciplines
• 5-7 years' experience within Financial Services, Banking, Asset Management, Insurance, or a regulated environment
• Strong experience developing and implementing Data Governance frameworks and operating models
• Proven experience in governance assurance, compliance assessments, and remediation initiatives
• Experience working with data quality, metadata management, data lineage, stewardship, and governance controls
• Exposure to Internal Audit, Risk Management, Compliance, and Regulatory Governance functions
• 3-5 years' experience in AI Governance, Responsible AI, Model Governance, AI Risk Management, or AI Compliance frameworks advantageous
• Leadership experience managing governance teams and stakeholder engagement across complex organisations

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of Data Governance, Data Quality, Information Management, and Information Lifecycle Management
• Advanced understanding of Data Risk Management and Governance Assurance practices
• Knowledge of POPIA, IFRS, financial regulatory requirements, and governance legislation
• Familiarity with DAMA, COBIT, King IV, PCI-DSS, and related governance frameworks
• Strong understanding of Responsible AI principles and AI risk management
• Ability to develop governance strategies, frameworks, standards, and policies
• Advanced stakeholder engagement and influencing capabilities
• Strong analytical, reporting, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities
• Proven leadership, mentoring, and people management skills
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen

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