Director, AI Governance Risk & Responsible AI

Acosta Group; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Acosta Group seeks a Director of AI Governance, Risk & Responsible AI to operationalize governance across the AI delivery lifecycle. You will establish workflows, partner with Legal, Compliance, Cybersecurity, Privacy, Risk, Data Governance, and technology leaders, and drive responsible AI controls across genAI, copilots, and traditional AI systems.

You will lead risk classification, monitoring, change management, and retirement processes while ensuring evidence artifacts, control coverage, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years in governance, risk management, compliance, technology risk, cybersecurity governance, privacy, or enterprise controls.
• 5+ years of leadership overseeing governance, risk, compliance, controls, model oversight, or regulated technology programs in a large enterprise.
• Strong understanding of AI, Generative AI, ML, agentic AI systems, copilots, intelligent automation, foundation models, and enterprise risks.
• Experience designing and implementing governance frameworks, controls, risk assessment methodologies, and policy enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Operationalize AI policies, Responsible AI principles, governance standards, and lifecycle controls across AI initiatives.
• Establish and maintain AI governance workflows for intake, risk classification, review, approval, monitoring, and retirement.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, Cybersecurity, Privacy, Risk, Data Governance, Technology, and leaders to embed AI controls into delivery workflows.
• Define governance requirements for GenAI, agentic AI, copilots, traditional AI/ML, workflow automation, and vendor AI solutions.
• Maintain enterprise AI inventory, documentation standards, risk tiering, model/agent registry, and evidence artifacts.
• Establish requirements for human-in-the-loop controls, transparency, explainability, data protection, and appropriate use.
• Create governance standards for production readiness, observability, incident response, and control validation.
• Support third-party AI/tool reviews assessing responsible AI, data usage, model behavior, security, and auditability.
• Develop practical guidance, templates, checklists, and decision records for delivery teams.
• Report governance status and material risks to AI CoE and leadership forums.

Skills

AI governance

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Policy implementation

Executive communication

Vendor governance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Risk Management, Law, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Description

The Director, AI Governance, Risk & Responsible AI will operationalize Acosta Group’s AI governance model by turning policy, risk expectations, and Responsible AI principles into practical controls embedded in the AI delivery lifecycle. This leader will establish governance processes for AI use cases, tools, vendors, models, agents, copilots, data usage, lifecycle monitoring, and production readiness. The role supports the AI CoE operating model of central guardrails, federated execution, and portfolio-driven scaling by enabling Acosta Group to innovate with speed while maintaining appropriate oversight, accountability, security coordination, and evidence of control compliance.

Responsibilities

• Operationalize Acosta Group’s AI policies, Responsible AI principles, governance standards, and lifecycle controls across AI initiatives.
• Establish and maintain AI governance workflows for intake, risk classification, review, approval, monitoring, change management, and retirement.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, Cybersecurity, Privacy, Risk, Data Governance, Technology, and business leaders to embed AI controls into delivery workflows.
• Define governance requirements for GenAI, agentic AI, copilots, traditional AI/ML, workflow automation, externally sourced AI tools, and vendor-delivered AI solutions.
• Maintain enterprise AI inventory requirements, documentation standards, risk tiering, model/agent registry expectations, and evidence artifacts.
• Establish requirements for human-in-the-loop controls, automation boundaries, transparency, traceability, explainability, bias review, data protection, and appropriate use.
• Create governance standards for production readiness, observability, monitoring, incident response, issue escalation, policy exceptions, and ongoing control validation.
• Support third-party AI and tool reviews by assessing responsible AI, data usage, model behavior, security, licensing, auditability, and control implications.
• Develop practical guidance, templates, checklists, review criteria, and decision records that make governance usable by delivery teams.
• Report governance status, control coverage, material risks, open issues, and decision needs to AI CoE and enterprise leadership forums.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Risk Management, Law, Business Administration, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Preferred Certifications such as CRISC, CISM, CISSP, CIPP, CDPSE, CGEIT, AI Governance Professional, Responsible AI certifications.
• 12 or more years of experience in governance, risk management, compliance, technology risk, cybersecurity governance, privacy, enterprise controls, data governance, or related disciplines.
• 5 or more years of leadership experience overseeing governance, risk, compliance, technology controls, model oversight, Responsible AI, data governance, or regulated technology programs within a large enterprise environment.
• Strong understanding of Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, machine learning, agentic AI systems, copilots, intelligent automation, foundation models, model lifecycle management, and associated enterprise risks.
• Experience designing and implementing governance frameworks, control structures, risk assessment methodologies, approval workflows, policy enforcement mechanisms, and enterprise oversight processes.
• Demonstrated experience establishing and operationalizing Responsible AI programs, including controls related to fairness, transparency, explainability, accountability, human oversight, privacy, and ethical AI use.
• Experience evaluating and managing AI-related risks across security, privacy, legal, regulatory, operational, reputational, and model performance domains.
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory, privacy, cybersecurity, risk, and governance frameworks, including emerging AI regulations and industry standards.
• Experience reviewing and governing third-party AI vendors, foundation models, SaaS AI platforms, copilots, and AI-enabled technologies.
• Ability to partner effectively with Legal, Compliance, Privacy, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Risk, Data, Technology, Procurement, Internal Audit, and business stakeholders.
• Experience translating governance policies and standards into practical operating procedures, controls, templates, review processes, training materials, and implementation guidance.
• Excellent written, verbal, and executive communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain AI risks, governance requirements, compliance obligations, and mitigation strategies to technical and non-technical audiences.

Work Environment And Physical Requirements

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Job may require moderate physical effort including lifting materials and equipment weighing less than 15 pounds. This position involves viewing a computer monitor for more than 30% of the time. Personal protective equipment may need to be worn. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

About Us

Acosta Group is a collective uniting the most trusted retail, marketing, and foodservice agencies- Acosta, ActionLink, CORE Foodservice, CROSSMARK, Mosaic, Premium Retail Services, and Product Connections. Together, we connect consumers with the brands they love through omnichannel selling, merchandising, brand advocacy, and integrated marketing.

We recognize our associates are the foundation of our success. That’s why we prioritize your growth, development, and well‑being to help you reach your full potential. With programs designed to support a fulfilling work-life balance, we offer opportunities that fit your lifestyle and ambitions—whether you’re looking for part‑time flexibility or full‑time career advancement.

Ready for a career path that’s as unique as you? Discover your path at Acosta Group!

Acosta Group is an equal opportunity employer and will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail]. Be sure to include "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject of your email to expedite the request.

Acosta Group believes in good faith that the minimum and maximum annual salary or hourly compensation range for this opportunity is accurate and reasonable at the time of posting.

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Acosta, and its subsidiaries, is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Category: Administration

Position Type: Full time

Business Unit: Corporate

Salary Range: $125000.00 - $175000.00

Company: Acosta Services, Inc

Req ID: 37387

Employer Description: USACOSTAGRPEMPDESC