AI Governance Lead - Mortgage Risk & Compliance

First American; Santa Ana (CA); Remote; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

First American is seeking an AI Governance Program Manager to lead the divisional AI governance program, leveraging MISMO FRAME as the core framework and coordinating governance across Legal, Compliance, Risk, and IT functions.

You will establish an operating model, manage the use-case lifecycle, and ensure evidence-based controls while aligning with regulatory expectations and enterprise risk appetite. This role requires extensive governance experience and strong stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related discipline.
• 8-10 years in program governance, technology risk, or equivalent control function.
• Experience establishing governance structures, policies, risk assessments, and executive reporting in a regulated environment.
• Mortgage or financial services background is highly preferred.
• Understanding of AI, ML concepts to assess governance implications; hands‑on model development not required.
• Experience applying risk, privacy, data governance, or related frameworks preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing administration of the divisional AI Governance Program using MISMO FRAME as the primary framework.
• Own and maintain the AI governance operating model, including roles, decision rights, forums, approvals, escalation, and evidence.
• Establish and administer the AI use-case lifecycle from intake to retirement.
• Maintain an inventory of AI systems and use cases across internal, third‑party, and embedded solutions.
• Develop a risk‑tiering methodology considering consumer impact, regulatory exposure, and data sensitivity.
• Coordinate independent challenge by Legal, Compliance, Privacy, Information Security, Data Governance, and other control functions.
• Establish AI‑specific control requirements and ensure evidence of controls.
• Lead governance for mortgage-related third-party AI with Vendor Management, Legal, Security, and Compliance.
• Develop, analyze, and report AI governance KPIs and KRIs for senior management and governance committees.
• Monitor regulatory changes and industry best practices to adjust policies and controls.
• Maintain audit readiness by documenting decisions, approvals, risk assessments, monitoring results, and remediation activities.
• Provide SME guidance on AI governance policies, standards, and risk requirements to business and tech stakeholders.
• Collaborate with business and technology teams and escalate non‑compliant use cases.

Skills

Communication skills

Governance leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

AI governance knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, risk management, information systems, technology, data science, finance, law, or related discipline

Job description

First American is seeking an AI Governance Program Manager to lead the divisional AI governance program, leveraging MISMO FRAME as the core framework and coordinating governance across Legal, Compliance, Risk, and IT functions.

You will establish an operating model, manage the use-case lifecycle, and ensure evidence-based controls while aligning with regulatory expectations and enterprise risk appetite. This role requires extensive governance experience and strong stakeholder communication.