Data and AI Governance Lead - Computing Services

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is seeking a dynamic, highly collaborative Data and AI Governance Lead to shape and operationalize the framework for how our institution manages, protects, and leverages its most critical data and AI assets. This position acts as the university’s primary architect and facilitator of Data and AI Governance, working across academic and administrative units to drive progress through influence, partnership, and expert support.

About the Role

Unlike traditional management roles, this position does not oversee a direct team. Instead, you will toggle between high-level strategy (policy-making and risk frameworks) and hands-on delivery (implementing metadata tools and assisting data stewards). Success depends on your ability to build trust, provide value to partners, and align departmental goals with university-wide standards.

Responsibilities

• Strategy & Framework Design: Lead the design and execution of CMU’s Data and AI governance operating model. Define the policies, standards, and roadmaps that ensure data integrity, privacy, and the responsible use of AI across the university.
• Influence & Community Building: Build and enable a robust community of practice among distributed Data Stewards and AI practitioners. Drive progress through collaboration rather than direct authority.
• AI Governance & Risk: Design and operationalize AI governance controls, including model inventories, risk assessments, and ethical reviews. Partner with academic and administrative leads to ensure AI deployment is transparent, fair, and compliant with emerging regulations.
• AI Data Readiness: Transform CMU’s data assets by establishing a unified metadata layer. Act as the translator between business Data Analysts, SMEs, and Data/Analytics Engineering teams to ensure accurate semantic models (e.g., distinguishing "Full-Time Student" in financial aid from "Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)" in state reporting).
• Hands-on Operational Support: Assist departments in implementing governance tooling, defining data lineage, improving data quality, and documenting metadata for complex institutional datasets.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as the primary bridge between Information Technology, Information Security Office, the Office of the Provost, and various administrative and academic units. Translate complex technical governance requirements into actionable guidance for non-technical stakeholders.
• Metrics & Advocacy: Develop KPIs to track the adoption and health of governance practices. Report progress to university leadership and advocate for cultural shifts to treat data as a strategic institutional asset.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Experience: 5+ years in data governance, data management, and AI ethics/policy.
• The "Influence" Factor: Proven track record of leading large-scale initiatives in a federated or decentralized environment (e.g., Higher Ed, Healthcare, or complex R&D organizations) where progress is made through collaboration rather than direct authority.
• Strategic Communication: Ability to present complex risk and governance concepts to senior leadership while coaching departmental staff on day-to-day data standards.
• Technical Depth: Familiarity with data & AI lifecycle management, including metadata management tools, data cataloging, and ML Ops/AI risk frameworks.
• AI Readiness: Understanding of AI data readiness, including interactions between traditional machine learning and Agentic AI with structured/unstructured data.
• Technical Partnership: Experience partnering closely with Data Engineering and Analytics teams.
• Successful background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within a Research I university or a highly complex non-profit environment.
• Professional certification in Data Management (CDMP) or AI Governance (AIGP).
• Knowledge of global data privacy regulations (GDPR, FERPA, HIPAA) as they relate to administrative data and academic research.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings program with employer contributions.
• Tuition benefits.
• Ample paid time off and observed holidays.
• Life and accidental death and disability insurance.
• Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass.
• Access to a Family Concierge Team for childcare navigation.
• Fitness center access.
• Additional perks and resources.

Schedule

Full time.

Location

Pittsburgh, PA.