Lead AI Ethicist & Governance Specialist

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a distinguished Lead AI Ethicist & Governance Specialist to establish and champion best practices in ethical AI development. The role shapes policies, frameworks, and operational guidelines to ensure safe, fair, and transparent AI systems in George, Western Cape, ZA.

You will guide product teams, researchers, and leadership on ethical considerations, bias mitigation, and regulatory compliance, leading a small team of AI ethics professionals.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in AI ethics, responsible AI, or AI governance.
• Master's or PhD in a relevant field.
• Deep understanding of ethical theories and ML concepts.
• Experience developing and implementing ethical frameworks and policies.
• Familiarity with AI bias, fairness metrics and mitigation techniques.
• Strong knowledge of GDPR and AI Act.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading teams and projects.
• Experience in the South African context, particularly George, Western Cape.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement AI ethics policies and governance frameworks.
• Lead a small team of AI ethics professionals and researchers.
• Advise development teams on bias detection and mitigation strategies.
• Monitor AI systems for fairness, accountability, and transparency.
• Engage with regulatory bodies and stay current on AI-related legislation and standards.
• Develop and deliver training programs on AI ethics and responsible AI development.
• Collaborate with legal, compliance, and engineering teams to ensure alignment.
• Represent the company in public forums and industry discussions on AI ethics.

Skills

AI ethics

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Machine learning concepts

Ethical frameworks

Education

Master's or PhD in Ethics, Philosophy, Law, CS with ethics focus, or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is at the forefront of developing responsible and ethical AI technologies and is seeking a distinguished Lead AI Ethicist & Governance Specialist to establish and champion best practices. This critical role involves shaping policies, frameworks, and operational guidelines to ensure our AI systems are developed and deployed safely, fairly, and transparently. You will be a key influencer, guiding product teams, researchers, and leadership on ethical considerations, bias mitigation, and regulatory compliance within the AI domain. This position is ideal for a visionary leader who is passionate about the societal impact of AI and is eager to contribute to building trustworthy AI systems in George, Western Cape, ZA . You will play an instrumental role in shaping the future of ethical AI development within our organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive AI ethics policies and governance frameworks.
• Conduct ethical risk assessments for new AI projects and products.
• Advise development teams on bias detection and mitigation strategies.
• Monitor AI systems for fairness, accountability, and transparency.
• Engage with regulatory bodies and stay current on AI-related legislation and standards.
• Develop and deliver training programs on AI ethics and responsible AI development.
• Collaborate with legal, compliance, and engineering teams to ensure alignment.
• Represent the company in public forums and industry discussions on AI ethics.
• Lead a small team of AI ethics professionals and researchers.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Ethics, Philosophy, Law, Computer Science with an ethics focus, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in AI ethics, responsible AI, AI governance, or a closely related field.
• Deep understanding of ethical theories, AI concepts, and machine learning principles.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing ethical frameworks and policies.
• Familiarity with AI bias, fairness metrics, and mitigation techniques.
• Strong knowledge of relevant regulations and standards (e.g., GDPR, AI Act).
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading teams and projects.
• Experience working in or understanding the South African context, particularly within George, Western Cape, ZA.

Benefits

We offer a competitive remuneration package, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and significant opportunities for professional growth and development. Our client provides a supportive and collaborative work environment, a generous annual leave allowance, and the chance to work on impactful projects that define the future of ethical AI. This role offers the unique opportunity to set the standard for responsible AI innovation within the region. We value work-life balance and provide resources to support employee well-being.