AI Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Director

BECU•Tukwila, WA

1d•$146,600 - $273,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This role serves as the primary strategic liaison between AI innovation teams and enterprise control functions, ensuring AI initiatives align with governance, risk, compliance, cybersecurity, model risk management, and data governance requirements. The Director will build strong cross-functional relationships, act as a trusted advisor, and develop enterprise-wide AI governance frameworks, guardrails, standards, and policies. The position involves embedding AI usage policies within existing risk, compliance, cybersecurity, and data privacy frameworks, partnering with Model Validation and Model Risk Management teams, and identifying legal, regulatory, and governance requirements associated with AI adoption. The role also includes proactively identifying governance gaps and risks, evaluating and enhancing AI governance practices, developing scalable governance solutions, championing responsible AI advocacy, and interpreting industry and regulatory trends. Additionally, the Director will prepare and deliver presentations for senior leaders and support the scaling of AI initiatives by ensuring requirements are addressed early in the process. This is a unique opportunity to influence enterprise-wide AI strategy and support the future of banking through thoughtful risk management and collaboration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Law, Computer Science, or a related field required.
Typically requires 10 years of experience in Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC), Model Risk Management, Data Governance, or Legal/Compliance.
Experience designing enterprise governance frameworks for AI or advanced analytics required.
Expert understanding of regulatory environments (e.g., NCUA, CFPB, GLBA) required.
Demonstrated experience working with emerging technologies, including AI or Generative AI required.
Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, evolving environments required.
Experience influencing senior leaders across multiple functions without direct authority required.
Advanced research, analytical, and policy development experience required.
Excellent collaboration and relationship-building skills required.
Excellent communication and executive presentation skills required.
Ability to balance innovation enablement with appropriate risk controls required.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Experience within regulated industries, preferably financial services or credit unions preferred.
Familiarity with model validation, data governance, or cybersecurity within financial services preferred.
Demonstrated thought leadership in responsible AI or emerging technology risk management preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary strategic liaison between AI innovation teams and enterprise control functions, helping ensure AI initiatives align with governance, risk, compliance, cybersecurity, model risk management, and data governance requirements.
Build strong relationships across legal, regulatory, compliance, risk, technology, and business teams to create alignment and help AI initiatives move forward effectively.
Act as a trusted advisor to AI innovation and control partners, translating complex AI concepts into clear, actionable guidance that supports informed decision-making.
Help create, evolve, and sustain enterprise-wide AI governance frameworks, guardrails, standards, and policies that support responsible AI adoption.
Develop, refine, and implement AI usage policies while embedding them within existing risk, compliance, cybersecurity, and data privacy frameworks.
Partner with Model Validation and Model Risk Management teams to support validation practices, governance enhancements, research activities, and ongoing process improvements.
Identify legal, regulatory, and governance requirements associated with AI adoption and create practical plans that support successful product delivery and organizational readiness.
Proactively identify governance gaps, compliance concerns, and emerging AI-related risks, coordinating solutions with the appropriate stakeholders before they become delivery obstacles.
Evaluate existing AI and advanced analytics governance practices and recommend improvements that support evolving technologies and business needs.
Develop repeatable templates, guidance materials, governance artifacts, and frameworks that can be consistently utilized across the enterprise.
Champion responsible AI practices and help establish effective approaches for managing model failures, unintended outcomes, and compliance risks.
Interpret changing regulatory expectations, industry trends, and emerging best practices to provide practical guidance for business and technology teams.
Prepare and deliver clear, concise presentations, recommendations, and decision-support materials for senior leaders and executive stakeholders.
Support the successful scaling of AI initiatives by ensuring governance, legal, compliance, and regulatory requirements are identified and addressed early in the process.
Perform additional duties and strategic initiatives as assigned.