AI Governance Lead

Western Governors University; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 161,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Wellbeing program

Tuition discounts

Flexible paid time off

11 holidays

Job summary

Western Governors University seeks an AI Governance Lead to shape governance for AI tools and technologies across the organization. You will work with Security, Legal, IT, Product, Business, and vendors to ensure compliant use.

You will lead usage policies, maintain governance artifacts, and promote responsible innovation while influencing senior leaders and stakeholders. This is a highly visible, in‑office role at our Salt Lake City campus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Machine Learning, Math, Physics, or related field.
• 5+ years in AI, Data Science or ML.
• 3+ years in policy development, governance, and change management.
• 3+ years cloud architecture (preferably AWS).
• 3+ years with Data Lakes (Databricks).
• Experience with external vendors management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement governance strategies for AI tools and technologies.
• Establish cross-functional processes for approval, access, and maintenance of AI tools.
• Develop policies and procedures on security, privacy, ethics, and innovation.
• Assess AI tool capabilities and risks and recommend uses.
• Lead AI usage policies and governance artifacts including data sources.
• Educate stakeholders on governance best practices and compliance requirements.

Skills

AI governance

Policy development

Executive influence

communication

analytical thinking

problem solving

change management

business acumen

Education

Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in CS/SE/DS/ML/Math/Physics

Tools

AWS

Databricks

Job description

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career. Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: Grade: Technical 411 Pay Range: $161,000.00 - $249,500.00

Job Description

The AI Governance Lead will play a critical role in developing and implementing governance and control frameworks for AI tools and technologies within our organization. This individual will work closely with cross-functional teams, including Security, Legal, IT, Product, Business, and external vendors, to ensure that AI tools are approved and used in accordance with company policies and industry best practices. Additionally, this person will play the role of a change agent and a catalyst for innovation, and take the lead on the usage policies, maintaining the artifacts, especially external data sources, POCs, materials and others. At WGU, innovation has the greatest impact when it is paired with thoughtful, responsible governance. As our AI Governance Lead, you will help shape how AI tools and technologies are evaluated, governed, and used across the organization. This is a highly visible, cross‑functional role for someone who can bring together technical expertise, business judgment, governance rigor, and a passion for innovation.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute comprehensive AI governance strategies that guide the responsible and ethical use of AI tools and technologies.
• Establish cross-functional processes for the approval, access, and ongoing maintenance of AI tools, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Develop policies, standards, and procedures governing AI use, with a focus on security, privacy, ethics, and responsible innovation.
• Assess AI tool capabilities and risks, clearly articulate trade‑offs, and recommend appropriate uses and access across the organization.
• Serve as a change agent and catalyst for innovation by leading AI usage policies and maintaining key governance artifacts, including external data sources, proofs of concept, and supporting materials.
• Foster a culture of responsible AI use by educating stakeholders on governance best practices, policies, and compliance requirements.
• Lead complex, strategically important initiatives across large cross‑functional teams while influencing senior leaders, technical experts, business stakeholders, and external vendors.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Machine Learning, Math, Physics, or any related field.
• 5+ years of AI, Data Science or Machine Learning experience.
• 5+ years of experience working in collaboration with business and other teams.
• 3+ years of experience with Policy Development, Frameworks, Compliance Assurance and Auditing, Governance, Stakeholder and Change management, and AI Ethical education.
• 3+ years of experience with cloud architecture (preferably AWS).
• 3+ years of experience with Data Lakes (preferably Databricks).
• 3+ years of experience working in selecting and managing external vendors.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing governance frameworks for AI tools and technologies.
• Experience with ML lifecycle management.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements, industry standards, and best practices related to AI governance and compliance.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to influence senior executive leadership and clearly articulate the trade‑offs associated with AI tools and business solutions.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to persuade, navigate ambiguity, and maintain a positive approach in challenging situations.

Bonus Points

• PhD.
• Experience in Lieu of Education Equivalent relevant education and/or experience may be considered where appropriate.

What to Expect

At WGU, our mission drives everything we do, including how we hire. Our interview experience is designed to give qualified candidates the opportunity to show their best work through meaningful conversations and collaboration. We thoughtfully review every application and invite forward the candidates whose experience and potential best align with the role and our mission.

Introductory call Hiring leader Executive Stakeholder Additional Executive Stakeholder

Work Location

This is a full‑time, in‑office position requiring five days per week in our Salt Lake City, Utah office, designed to foster the collaboration and connection that fuel our best work.

Visa Sponsorship

While we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, WGU is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Travel Requirement

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.

Position & Application Details

Full‑Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full‑time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses.

• medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare
• health savings account and flexible spending account
• basic and voluntary life insurance
• disability coverage
• accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages
• legal and identity theft coverage
• retirement savings plan
• wellbeing program
• discounted WGU tuition
• flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

Accommodations

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law. In 1997, a coalition of 19 U.S. governors founded Western Governors University with a singular vision: to make higher education more accessible by offering full degree programs online. Starting small, we quickly expanded. Today, we’re one of the largest accredited online universities in the U.S.