Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) AI Lead

Worldwide Clinical Trials; North Carolina; Remote; USD 101,000 - 201,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Worldwide Clinical Trials seeks an experienced Governance, Risk and Compliance AI Lead to shape enterprise AI governance. You will build the IT AI governance framework, drive risk-based reviews, and partner with Security, Privacy, Legal, Quality, and Enterprise Architecture to enable secure AI adoption across a global life sciences environment.

The role requires 8+ years in governance/risk areas, 3+ years leading enterprise programs, and strong stakeholder communication across time zones.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in governance, risk and compliance, technology risk, cybersecurity, privacy, data governance, audit, quality, or related discipline.
• 3+ years leading enterprise governance programs, cross-functional risk initiatives, or technology control frameworks.
• Strong programme-management, stakeholder-management, and communication skills, with ability to translate complex requirements into practical controls.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain the Enterprise IT AI Governance framework with operating model, standards, and controls (risk tiers, lifecycle).
• Establish intake, assessment, and approval for AI use cases, AI-enabled products, and AI agents.
• Maintain a centralized inventory of AI systems and agents with ownership, data sources, and risk classifications.
• Lead risk-based governance reviews with Information Security, Privacy, Legal, Quality, and other SMEs.
• Define governance requirements for AI agents including identity, oversight, testing, and retirement.

Skills

Governance

Risk management

Cybersecurity

Privacy

Data governance

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS/Data Science

Tools

AI governance platforms

Job description

Join a global Contract Resource Organization (CRO) where innovation meets purpose. At Worldwide Clinical Trials, we're driven by a shared commitment to improving lives through high-quality clinical research. Our teams are empowered to think creatively, take ownership, and deliver meaningful work that helps bring life‑changing therapies to patients around the world.

With more than 4,000 professionals across the globe, we foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, growth is encouraged, and every contribution makes an impact. Whether you're building your career or bringing years of experience, you'll have the opportunity to learn, grow, and help shape the future of clinical research.

Make an Impact as a Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) AI Lead at Worldwide

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how organizations operate, and effective governance is essential to ensuring that innovation happens responsibly. As the Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) AI Lead, you will play a central role in shaping how AI is governed across Worldwide Clinical Trials.

You will build and lead the Enterprise IT AI Governance framework, creating practical, risk‑based processes for AI systems, AI‑enabled technologies, and AI agents throughout their lifecycle. From initial use‑case evaluation and approval through ongoing monitoring and retirement, you will help ensure AI is adopted securely, responsibly, and in alignment with regulatory, contractual, and business requirements.

This is a highly collaborative role where you will partner with business owners and experts across Information Security, Privacy, Legal, Quality, Enterprise Architecture, Data, Vendor Management, and Procurement. You will bring these perspectives together while maintaining clear accountability and enabling teams to pursue AI opportunities with appropriate controls and human oversight.

Where You’ll Work

This is a remote role open to candidates based in the US. You will collaborate with global teams across multiple time zones.

What You’ll Do

• Build and maintain the Enterprise IT AI Governance framework, including the operating model, standards, procedures, decision rights, risk tiers, controls, and governance records.
• Establish a company‑wide intake, assessment, and approval process for AI use cases, AI‑enabled vendor products, internally developed solutions, and AI agents.
• Maintain a centralized inventory of AI systems and agents, capturing ownership, intended use, data sources, permissions, dependencies, risk classification, approval status, and lifecycle information.
• Lead risk‑based governance reviews in partnership with Information Security, Privacy, Legal, Quality, Enterprise Architecture, Data, Vendor Management, Procurement, and other subject‑matter experts.
• Define governance requirements for AI agents, including ownership, approved purpose, identity and access, human oversight, testing, monitoring, logging, change control, incident response, and secure retirement.
• Coordinate reviews of cybersecurity, privacy, quality, third‑party, and operational risks associated with AI, including sensitive data exposure, prompt injection, excessive agency, insecure integrations, identity misuse, unauthorized actions, and supply‑chain dependencies.
• Strengthen governance for clinical, GxP, and other regulated AI use cases by partnering with Quality and business owners on validation, human oversight, data integrity, change control, recordkeeping, and inspection readiness.
• Monitor approved AI technologies for material changes, control exceptions, incidents, performance concerns, and emerging requirements, triggering reassessment and remediation when appropriate.
• Deliver practical governance guidance, training, metrics, executive reporting, and audit‑ready evidence while advising leadership on emerging AI risks, governance gaps, and investment needs.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Data Science, Risk Management, Business, Law, or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in governance, risk and compliance, technology risk, cybersecurity, privacy, data governance, audit, quality, or a related discipline, including 3+ years leading enterprise governance programs, cross‑functional risk initiatives, or technology control frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience developing policies, standards, risk assessments, control requirements, governance workflows, metrics, and executive reporting.
• Working experience with AI governance, responsible AI, generative AI, machine learning, automation, AI‑enabled vendor products, or AI agent governance is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of technology risk, information security, privacy, third‑party risk, data governance, and regulatory compliance, with practical knowledge of large language models, AI agents, machine identities, and AI lifecycle risks.
• Experience within a regulated, global, life sciences, healthcare, or clinical research environment is highly desirable, along with familiarity with recognized AI, risk, security, and privacy frameworks and applicable AI laws and regulations.
• Strong programme‑management, stakeholder‑management, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal, regulatory, security, privacy, quality, and business requirements into practical controls and clearly communicate risk to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Proficiency in English, with the ability to collaborate effectively across global time zones and manage multiple governance priorities.

At Worldwide Clinical Trials, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace by providing transparent compensation.

The salary range for this position is annually (For hourly paid positions, the stated salary range reflects hourly rates):

United States of America - $101,000.00 - $201,000.00

The salary range provided is intended to give candidates an understanding of potential earnings. Compensation will fall within the provided range, and it not a guarantee of exact salary. The final salary will be determined based on relevant experience, performance, education, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, we offer a competitive benefits package depending on location. We ensure pay equity and transparency and comply with all applicable labor laws. Salary information will be discussed during the interview process, and we encourage candidates to inquire about compensation at any stage.

Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to enabling professionals from all backgrounds and experiences to succeed and, to that end, we prioritize attracting diverse talent and cultivating an inclusive environment that encourages collaboration and creativity. We know that when our employees feel appreciated and included, they can be more creative, innovative, and successful. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and are committed to creating exceptional employee experiences where everyone is respected and has access to equal opportunity. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, military status, or other class protected by applicable law.