Director, Data & AI Governance

careers-cadent; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

HSA employer contribution

Paid parental leave

Mental health support (EAP)

Calm App access

Wellness reimbursement

Job summary

Cadent seeks a visionary Director of Data and AI Governance to lead the governance framework and the AI Governance COE. Reporting to the Chief Data Officer, you will set policies, standards, and oversight for responsible data and AI use.

You will partner with Engineering, Product, and business leaders to embed controls, manage risk, and drive adoption. A focus on GDPR, CCPA, bias, explainability, and regulator alignment is essential to enable trust and innovation.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years in data governance, technology risk, or related field with governance program experience.
• Strategic thinker who translates policy into practical workflows.
• Strong understanding of AI/ML concepts and data privacy regs; AdTech experience a plus.
• Proven collaboration with leadership and ability to influence across functions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and operationalize a comprehensive governance framework for data and AI across the enterprise.
• Lead the AI Governance COE, guiding policy creation and ethical review.
• Identify and mitigate AI-related risks, including data privacy, security, bias, and vendor risk; align with global regulations.

Skills

Data governance

AI governance

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional leadership

Communication skills

CDMP/CIPP/CIPM

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Information Management/Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Overview

Cadent ignites seamless connections between brands, publishers & consumers. Our predictive AI orchestrates outcomes on any platform customers are on, across any media they consume & at any stage of the journey. To learn more, please visit Cadent.com.

We are seeking a visionary and strategic leader to join our team as the Director of Data and AI Governance. Reporting directly to Chief Data Officer, you will be the central pillar for all governance-related initiatives across Cadent. This is a critical role responsible for leading our AI Governance Center of Excellence (COE) and shaping the policies that will guide our responsible and ethical use of data and artificial intelligence. You will be instrumental in building the framework that ensures trust, compliance, and innovation as we navigate the new agentic era.

Responsibilities

• Develop & Operationalize Governance: Design, implement, and operationalize a comprehensive, enterprise-wide governance framework for data and AI. This includes creating and maintaining policies, standards, and actionable operational procedures.
• Lead the AI Governance COE: Head the AI Governance Center of Excellence (COE), establishing a central body for policy creation, ethical review, and strategic guidance. You will facilitate governance forums and cross-functional decision-making.
• Risk Management & Compliance: Identify, assess, and mitigate AI-related risks, including data privacy, cybersecurity, model bias, and third-party vendor risks. You will define risk tiers and approval pathways for AI use cases and ensure all practices align with global regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, EU AI Act).
• Drive Implementation & Adoption: Partner with Engineering, Product, and business leaders to embed governance controls and data stewardship into the entire AI lifecycle, from ideation to deployment and monitoring.
• Work with Business Units to support, drive and monitor the implementation of Data Management (covering Data Quality, Metadata and Masterdata Management, Data retention and storage)
• Executive Collaboration & Reporting: Serve as a key advisor to the Executive Committee and senior leadership on AI risk, ethics, and controls. You will establish and monitor KPIs to report on the effectiveness and maturity of the governance program.
• Promote a Culture of Accountability: Champion a culture of responsible AI use and data accountability across the organization. This includes developing and delivering training and awareness programs for all employees.

Qualifications

• You have a minimum of 10+ years of experience in data governance, technology risk, data strategy, or a related field, with a proven track record of implementing successful governance programs in complex, high-growth environments.
• You possess the ability to think strategically about long-term opportunities while taking a pragmatic, hands‑on approach to translating high‑level policies into practical, actionable workflows.
• You have a strong understanding of AI/ML concepts, modern data architecture, and the associated risk areas (e.g., security, bias, explainability). You are an expert in global data privacy regulations. Experience in the AdTech industry is a significant plus.
• You are a proven collaborator with exceptional communication skills, capable of influencing and building consensus across all functions and levels, from engineering teams to the executive suite.
• You have experience leading high‑impact, cross‑functional initiatives and are comfortable guiding senior leaders through complex and ambiguous decisions. Certifications such as CDMP, CIPP, or CIPM are highly desirable.
• You hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Management, Engineering, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred.

Eligibility:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future.

Benefits

• Inclusive health, dental, and vision plans built to support diverse lifestyles
• Enhanced support for reproductive health, family planning, and new parents
• Employer contribution to HSA
• Voluntary Benefits: Pet Insurance, LegalEase Legal Assistance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Accident coverages
• Generous and inclusive paid parental leave
• Mental health support and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free access to the Calm App
• Monthly Wellness reimbursement
• Special discounts through LifeMart and Plum Benefits
• Flexible Time Off (FTO) policy and company breaks
• 11 observed Federal holidays
• Summer Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day

• Employee Resource Groups that foster connection and community
• DEI programming and initiatives
• Company-sponsored events to bring employees together
• Offices across the U.S., including Manhattan, Philadelphia, and San Jose

• 401(k) participation with discretionary employer match
• Life, Short-term, and Long-term Disability coverage
• Cell phone and WiFi stipend
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Access to certified financial coaches and planning tools

• Passionate. We are inspired partners.
• Purposeful. We create with intention.
• Curious. We discover what’s possible.

The salary range for this role takes into account a wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications as well as other business and organizational needs.

Cadent is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to supporting all it’s employees when it comes to Inclusion & Diversity. Cadent’s policy is to provide equal opportunity for applicants & employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual identity or orientation, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability or medical condition (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), sexual and reproductive health decisions, genetic information, marital status (including domestic partnerships and civil unions), pregnancy, culture ancestry, familial or caregiver status, military status, veteran status, socioeconomic status, unemployment status, status as a victim of domestic violence or any other basis prohibited by law. and will not discriminate against the basis of disability. This commitment is honored when it comes to decisions on hiring, recruiting, training, promotions, compensations, benefits, transfers and terminations.

Cadent is seeking to actively engage with our employees from a wide variety of cultures and to connect with our clients differently. Our workforce has generational diversity that supports greater innovation when we maximize representation of all diversity. Our active employee resource groups promote engagement across all groups of individuals that are represented within the company and externally.

Pay Range

USD $180,000.00 - USD $210,000.00 /Yr.