Data and AI Governance Lead, Computing Services

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits

Public transit benefits

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University seeks a Data and AI Governance Lead to design and operationalize a university-wide framework for managing, protecting, and leveraging data and AI assets. The role emphasizes collaboration and influencing stakeholders to shape policies, standards, and tools that promote data integrity, privacy, and responsible AI use.

The role will bridge IT, Information Security, and the Office of the Provost, translating complex risk concepts for senior leadership and coordinating

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in data governance, data management, and AI ethics/policy.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale initiatives in federated or decentralized environments such as higher education or healthcare.
• Excellent strategic communication skills, able to present complex risk concepts to senior leadership and coach department coordinators.
• Strong technical depth in metadata management, data cataloging, and machine-learning operations or AI risk frameworks.
• Knowledge of AI data readiness, including interactions between traditional ML, agentic AI, structured and unstructured data.
• Experience partnering closely with Data Engineering and Analytics teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of CMU’s Data and AI governance operating model, defining policies, standards, and roadmaps.
• Build and enable a community of practice across distributed Data Stewards and AI practitioners, fostering trust and alignment with university-wide standards.
• Design AI governance controls such as model inventories, risk assessments, and ethical reviews, ensuring transparent and compliant AI deployments.
• Transform data assets by establishing a unified metadata layer and translating business terminology for engineers and data analysts.
• Provide hands-on operational support, assisting departments with governance tooling, data lineage, quality improvement, and metadata documentation.
• Serve as the primary bridge between IT, Information Security, the Office of the Provost, and academic and administrative units, translating technical requirements into actionable guidance.
• Develop and track KPIs to measure governance adoption, report progress to university leadership, and advocate for cultural shifts that treat data as a strategic asset.

Skills

Strategic communication

Stakeholder engagement

Data governance

AI ethics

Metadata management

Job description

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is looking for a Data and AI Governance Lead who will design and operationalize a university-wide framework for managing, protecting, and leveraging data and AI assets. The role emphasizes collaboration, influencing stakeholders rather than overseeing a team, to shape policies, standards, and tools that promote data integrity, privacy, and responsible AI use.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of CMU’s Data and AI governance operating model, defining policies, standards, and roadmaps.
• Build and enable a community of practice across distributed Data Stewards and AI practitioners, fostering trust and alignment with university-wide standards.
• Design AI governance controls such as model inventories, risk assessments, and ethical reviews, ensuring transparent and compliant AI deployments.
• Transform data assets by establishing a unified metadata layer and translating business terminology for engineers and data analysts.
• Provide hands‑on operational support, assisting departments with governance tooling, data lineage, quality improvement, and metadata documentation.
• Serve as the primary bridge between IT, Information Security, the Office of the Provost, and academic and administrative units, translating technical requirements into actionable guidance.
• Develop and track KPIs to measure governance adoption, report progress to university leadership, and advocate for cultural shifts that treat data as a strategic asset.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in data governance, data management, and AI ethics/policy.
• Proven track record of leading large‑scale initiatives in federated or decentralized environments such as higher education or healthcare.
• Excellent strategic communication skills, able to present complex risk concepts to senior leadership and coach department coordinators.
• Strong technical depth in metadata management, data cataloging, and machine‑learning operations or AI risk frameworks.
• Knowledge of AI data readiness, including interactions between traditional ML, agentic AI, structured and unstructured data.
• Experience partnering closely with Data Engineering and Analytics teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within a Research‑I university or complex non‑profit environment.
• Professional certification such as CDMP (Certified Data Management Professional) or AIGP (AI Governance Practitioner).
• Familiarity with GDPR, FERPA, HIPAA, and other global data privacy regulations as they apply to academic research and administrative data.

Benefits

Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance; retirement savings with employer contributions; tuition benefits; paid time off and holidays; life and accidental death and disability insurance; a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass; access to a family concierge team, fitness center, and additional perks. For a full overview, employees may consult the Benefits page.

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applicants of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities and veterans.