AI Operational Risk Management Sr. Lead

About the role

The AI Risk Management Senior Lead is a senior, cross-functional role responsible for owning the firm’s AI governance framework, leading the AI Risk Center of Excellence (COE), and ensuring that all AI platforms, tools, and agents in use across the firm are adopted and managed in a safe, ethical, and policy-compliant manner. The ideal candidate brings deep risk management expertise, working knowledge of AI and model governance, and the ability to partner effectively with Legal, Compliance, IT Security, and business stakeholders. Experience in the legal industry is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the tool specific AI governance framework, acceptable use policy (AUP).
• Serve as coordinator of the AI Risk Center of Excellence (COE), convening Legal, Compliance, IT Security, Data & AI, and business representatives.
• Lead the distributed AI tool governance pipeline, overseeing the appropriate use of locally developed AI prototypes through intake/prioritization process for full application development.
• Support the assessment new AI capabilities and platform updates released by vendors and determine whether governance controls require adjustment prior to enabling.
• Review Outside Counsel Guidelines questionnaires and contracts for adherence to our AI policy and expectations.
• Design and oversee the firm-wide AI training curriculum, including AI literacy assessments, acceptable use acknowledgments, and role-specific guidance for lawyers, partners, and office staff.
• Collaborate with IT Security to ensure that SSO provisioning, endpoint controls, Netskope DLP policies, and network-layer governance for AI platforms remain current and effective.
• Maintain the department’s AI & data risk register; track, escalate, and resolve AI-related risks across all active tools, agents, and Claude instances.
• Communicate AI policy changes, risk updates, and governance decisions to department heads, practice group leaders, and firm leadership on a regular cadence.
• Develop creative solutions and improvements to governance processes, policies, and controls to enhance the safety, fairness, and effectiveness of AI use across the firm.

Requirements

• Required Education and/or Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field
  • Minimum of 5 years of risk management, compliance, or governance experience
  • Demonstrated experience with AI governance or model risk management
  • Familiarity with AI platforms including large language models and enterprise AI deployment
  • Experience developing or administering policies, acceptable use frameworks, or risk assessment processes
• Preferred:
  • Master’s Degree in a related field
  • Juris Doctor degree
  • Risk management or AI governance certification
  • Experience in the legal industry or at a professional services firm
  • Experience working with legal stakeholders or in legal technology

Other Skills And Abilities

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Target Salary Range

If located in Illinois, the target salary range for this role is $170,000 - $200,000. Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.