Responsible Ai & Data Governance Leader

Network Finance; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Finance is seeking a Data & AI Governance Lead to drive governance frameworks, AI risk oversight, data quality and regulatory compliance across the organisation.

You will engage senior stakeholders, shape governance strategy, and establish responsible AI practices while ensuring data protection and governance maturity across strategic data products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Studies or a related field is required.
• Minimum 8 years' experience in Data Governance, Information Management or Data Risk.
• Experience in financial services or regulated environments is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of governance, risk, compliance and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain Data & AI Governance frameworks, policies, standards and roadmaps.
• Establish Responsible AI governance practices, controls and risk management processes.
• Assess regulatory requirements and industry standards on the Data & AI landscape.
• Drive data quality, metadata, lineage and governance across datasets.
• Govern AI use cases from intake to monitoring in line with risk appetite.
• Lead governance forums and stakeholder engagement to maturity governance.

Skills

Data Governance Frameworks

AI Governance

Data Quality Management

Data Compliance

Information Management

Risk Management

Governance Assurance

Data Lifecycle Management

Process Governance

Stakeholder Management

Internal Audit & Compliance

Data Remediation & Control

Governance Reporting & Policy

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Information Studies

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Data & AI Governance Lead to drive governance frameworks, responsible AI practices, data risk management and regulatory compliance across the organisation.

This is a strategic opportunity for someone who can operate at the intersection of Data, AI, Risk, Governance and Business and who is passionate about building mature, future-focused governance environments.

What you’ll be doing:

• Develop and drive Data & AI Governance strategies, frameworks and roadmaps
• Establish and embed Responsible AI governance and AI risk management practices
• Oversee AI use cases from intake and approval through to monitoring
• Drive AI readiness across strategic data products and datasets
• Strengthen data quality, lineage, ownership, metadata and governance controls
• Provide governance assurance across risk, privacy, security and compliance
• Engage with senior stakeholders, Internal Audit, IT and business teams
• Identify governance gaps and drive remediation and continuous improvement
• Provide thought leadership on emerging AI, data and regulatory trends
• Mentor and guide Data & AI Governance practitioners

What we’re looking for:

• Relevant degree in Information Studies or a related field
• 8+ years' experience across data/information management and governance
• Strong experience within financial services or a similarly regulated environment
• Strong understanding of data risk, governance, compliance and information management
• Knowledge of frameworks such as DAMA, COBIT, King IV and relevant regulatory requirements
• 35 years' exposure to AI Governance, Responsible AI, Model Governance, Model Risk Management or AI Compliance would be highly advantageous

Why this opportunity?

This is more than a traditional Data Governance role. You’ll have the opportunity to shape the governance landscape around AI and data, influence strategic decision-making and help build an environment where emerging technologies can be adopted responsibly and securely.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain Data & AI Governance frameworks, policies, standards, and roadmaps.
• Establish and oversee Responsible AI governance practices, controls, risk management processes, and assurance activities.
• Assess the impact of new legislation, regulatory requirements, and industry standards on the Data & AI landscape.
• Drive data quality, metadata, lineage, ownership, and governance initiatives to ensure AI readiness across strategic datasets.
• Govern the intake, prioritisation, approval and monitoring of AI use cases in line with business objectives and risk appetite.
• Lead governance forums, committees, and stakeholder engagement initiatives to drive governance maturity.
• Conduct governance reviews, risk assessments, remediation initiatives, and compliance monitoring activities.
• Partner with Internal Audit, Risk, Compliance, IT, and business stakeholders to strengthen governance controls and frameworks.
• Mentor Data Governance practitioners and Data Stewards while promoting governance best practices across the organisation.
• Oversee data quality metrics, governance reporting, audit responses, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Job Experience and Skills Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Studies or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years' experience within Data Governance, Information Management, Data Risk, or Data Management environments.
• 5-7 years' experience within Financial Services, Banking, Asset Management, Insurance, or a related regulated industry.
• Strong knowledge of governance, risk management, compliance, and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience providing governance assurance, conducting assessments, and driving remediation initiatives.
• 3-5 years' experience establishing or operating AI Governance, Responsible AI, Model Governance, Model Risk Management, or AI Compliance frameworks highly advantageous.

Skills

• Data Governance Frameworks
• AI Governance and Responsible AI
• Data Quality Management
• Data Compliance and Regulatory Interpretation
• Information Management
• Risk Management and Governance Assurance
• Data Lifecycle Management
• Process Governance
• Stakeholder Management
• Internal Audit and Compliance Engagement
• Data Remediation and Control Frameworks
• Governance Reporting and Policy Development

Preferred Knowledge Areas

• POPIA
• DAMA Framework
• COBIT
• King IV
• IFRS
• PCI-DSS
• Financial Markets legislation
• Data Security and Information Risk Management

Non-Negotiable Requirements

• Strong understanding of Data Governance and Information Management principles.
• Ability to interpret legislation and translate regulatory requirements into practical governance controls.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Proven ability to influence governance outcomes across business and technology teams.
• Experience operating within highly regulated environments.

Our client, a prominent financial services organisation, is seeking a Data & AI Governance Lead to play a strategic leadership role in shaping and embedding governance practices across Data Management, Information Lifecycle Management, and Artificial Intelligence initiatives. The successful candidate will drive governance frameworks, AI risk oversight, regulatory compliance, and data quality initiatives while influencing senior stakeholders across the business.

This is a highly visible role with significant exposure to executive leadership, audit, risk, compliance, technology, and business stakeholders, offering the opportunity to lead enterprise governance transformation initiatives within a complex and evolving data landscape.