Data and AI Governance Lead - Computing Services

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

22h•Onsite

About The Position

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. Unlike traditional management roles, this position does not oversee a direct team. Instead, you will act 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. You must be comfortable toggling between high-level strategy (policy-making and risk frameworks) and hands-on delivery (implementing metadata tools and assisting data stewards).

Requirements

5+ years of experience in data governance, data management, and experience in AI ethics/policy.
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.
Ability to present complex risk and governance concepts to senior university leadership while being equally effective at coaching a departmental data coordinator on day-to-day data entry standards.
Familiarity with Data & AI lifecycle management, including experience with metadata management tools, data cataloging, and ML Ops/AI risk frameworks.
An understanding of AI data readiness, including how traditional machine learning and Agentic AI interact with structured and unstructured data.
Experience partnering closely with Data Engineering and Analytics.
Successful background check.

Nice To Haves

Experience specifically 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 both administrative data and academic research.

Responsibilities

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.
Build and enable a robust community of practice among distributed Data Stewards and AI practitioners.
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.
Establish a unified metadata layer to transform data assets.
Act as the translator between business Data Analysts, SMEs, and our Data/Analytics Engineering teams, ensuring that business terminology is mapped accurately.
Assist in defining data lineage, improving data quality, and documenting metadata for complex institutional datasets.
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.
Develop KPIs to track the adoption and health of governance practices.
Regularly report progress to university leadership, advocating for the cultural shifts necessary to treat data as a strategic institutional asset.
Other duties as assigned.