Senior AI Ethicist & Governance Lead

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement savings plans

Hybrid work model

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Senior AI Ethicist & Governance Lead to champion responsible AI development and deployment. You will establish governance frameworks, ethical guidelines, and best practices to ensure AI systems are fair, transparent and beneficial to society.

The role requires 8+ years in ethics/governance with a strong focus on AI, and involves training, stakeholder engagement, and leading internal ethics initiatives in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Ethics, Philosophy, Law, Public Policy, Sociology or related field required.
• Minimum 8 years in ethics, governance, risk, policy or responsible tech roles.
• Strong understanding of AI ethics, bias, accountability and governance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain AI ethics principles, policies and governance.
• Conduct ethical risk assessments for AI projects and products.
• Advise product teams and leadership on ethical AI throughout the lifecycle.
• Establish transparency, explainability and accountability processes.
• Lead internal committees on AI ethics and responsible innovation.
• Engage with policymakers, academia and civil society on AI ethics.

Skills

Ethics governance

Policy development

Analytical thinking

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Master's or PhD in Ethics/Philosophy/Law/Public Policy/Sociology/CS with ethics focus

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leading technology firm in Cape Town, Western Cape , is seeking a highly experienced and forward-thinking Senior AI Ethicist & Governance Lead. In an era of rapid AI advancement, this critical role will champion the responsible and ethical development and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies. You will be instrumental in establishing robust governance frameworks, ethical guidelines, and best practices to ensure our AI systems are fair, transparent, accountable, and beneficial to society. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of AI principles, coupled with expertise in ethics, philosophy, law, or social sciences, and a proven ability to translate complex ethical considerations into practical, actionable policies. This hybrid role offers the chance to influence the trajectory of AI development within a dynamic and innovative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive AI ethics principles, policies, and governance frameworks across the organization.
• Conduct ethical risk assessments and impact analyses for new AI projects and products, identifying potential biases, fairness issues, and societal implications.
• Advise product development teams, engineers, and leadership on ethical considerations throughout the AI lifecycle, from design to deployment and monitoring.
• Establish processes for transparency, explainability, and accountability in AI systems.
• Stay abreast of global AI regulations, industry standards, and best practices in AI ethics and governance.
• Develop and deliver training programs to educate employees on AI ethics and responsible innovation.
• Engage with external stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, and civil society organizations, to foster dialogue and collaboration on AI ethics.
• Lead internal committees or working groups focused on AI ethics and responsible innovation.
• Contribute to building a strong ethical culture within the organization, ensuring AI is developed and used in a manner that aligns with societal values.

Requirements

• A Master's or Ph.D. degree in Ethics, Philosophy, Law, Public Policy, Sociology, Computer Science (with an ethics focus), or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in roles related to ethics, governance, risk management, policy development, or responsible technology, with a significant focus on AI.
• Deep understanding of AI technologies, machine learning concepts, and their potential ethical implications.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing ethical frameworks, policies, and governance structures.
• Familiarity with relevant regulations and standards concerning data privacy, AI bias, and algorithmic accountability.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences, including technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience facilitating complex discussions and mediating diverse viewpoints.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving environment in Cape Town .

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including excellent medical aid, retirement savings plans, and generous leave allowances. This hybrid role allows for a blend of in‑office collaboration and remote flexibility. Opportunities for professional development, attending industry conferences, and contributing to thought leadership in AI ethics are strongly supported. You will be part of a cutting‑edge team making a tangible impact.. Join us in shaping an ethical future for technology in the vibrant city of Cape Town, Western Cape .