Responsible AI Lead

UFCU•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Responsible AI Lead will establish and operationalize the enterprise’s approach to Responsible AI and AI governance and deployment across internally built and third-party AI solutions. This role will help ensure AI is deployed safely, ethically, and effectively enterprise-wide by creating the frameworks, processes, and organizational alignment needed to support enterprise adoption. This role helps establish a framework to turn “Responsible AI” into a business accelerator. This is an exempt level role and reports to the VP Data & AI. About UFCU Our Credit Union was founded in 1936 and has grown to serve members throughout Texas and beyond. At UFCU, we are more than just a financial institution, and our people are more than just employees. We are dedicated to our purpose of empowering our Members to achieve financial success and build brighter futures. In pursuit of our aspiration that UFCU is loved by millions of Members and built to thrive for generations, we are guided by our values: Purposefully Member-Obsessed: We are driven by a profound sense of empathy to deeply understand our Members’ needs and preferences, what brighter futures means to them, and the obstacles in their way. We act in our Members’ best interests, forever seeking to empower their financial success. Possibilities Reimagined: We are inspired to courageously experiment, learn, and iterate in pursuit of positive impact for our Members, UFCU, and coworkers. We challenge assumptions, embrace diverse perspectives, and make use of data and insights. Performance Excellence Rooted in Unwavering Integrity: We do the right thing, always. We champion teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, and celebrate successful outcomes of others, fostering an inclusive environment of excellence and collaboration.

Requirements

Enterprise Responsible AI / AI risk management expertise: demonstrated experience designing and implementing Responsible AI, AI governance, and/or data/model governance frameworks in complex organizations
Strong command of risk and controls for AI across build and buy: ability to assess and manage risks spanning data privacy, security, bias/fairness, transparency/explainability, third‑party risk, auditability, model performance, drift, and operational resilience
Regulatory and standards awareness with translation to practice: proven ability to stay current on evolving requirements and convert them into clear policies, control objectives, procedures, and measurable control tests
Operationalization mindset: experience embedding governance into SDLC, MRM/validation, vendor management, change management, and ongoing monitoring, moving from principles to repeatable execution
Assessment capability: ability to perform and/or lead AI risk assessments, impact analyses, control design reviews, and evidence-based evaluations; develop remediation plans and track issues to closure
Influence and communication: ability to drive alignment across functions, facilitate decision forums, and communicate complex AI risk topics to both technical teams and senior leadership with clear recommendations
Analytical rigor and structured problem-solving: ability to translate complex requirements into actionable controls, operating models, and reporting that supports consistent enterprise decision-making
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Risk Management, Information Systems, or related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Technical, risk/compliance, or policy background, with demonstrated experience applying governance, ethical, and regulatory principles to AI or data-driven system
5-7 years’ experience in AI governance, data ethics, risk management, compliance, or related roles in a technology-driven environment
Deep understanding of AI/ML technologies, ethical and regulatory challenges, and responsible AI principles
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences
Project management experience, with a track record of delivering cross-functional initiatives
Knowledge of relevant legal and regulatory frameworks for AI (e.g., GDPR, EU AI Act)
Must be bondable

Nice To Haves

Proven experience developing and implementing ethics, compliance, or governance programs within a complex organization
Experience in highly regulated industries such as financial services, insurance, or healthcare
Certifications or advanced training in AI ethics, risk management, or compliance
Demonstrated thought leadership or public engagement in responsible AI or digital ethics

Responsibilities

Own and operationalize the enterprise AI Risk Management and Responsible AI framework across the full AI lifecycle (intake, design, build/buy, testing/validation, deployment, monitoring, change management, and retirement) for both internally developed and third‑party AI solutions
Maintain an “always current” governance posture by monitoring evolving laws, regulations, supervisory expectations, and standards (e.g., EU AI Act and other emerging guidance), translating updates into internal policy, controls, procedures, and playbooks
Define and enforce enterprise decision rights for AI adoption (ownership, accountability, approval thresholds, and escalation paths), ensuring consistent governance across business lines and functions
Embed AI governance into existing delivery and operational processes (e.g., vendor management, model risk/validation, SDLC, change management, incident management, privacy/security reviews) so governance is executed through operating rhythms, not standalone compliance activity
Establish and run AI risk assessment, audits, and impact analysis processes to identify, document, and mitigate ethical, regulatory, operational, and reputational risks (including fairness, transparency, privacy, explainability, data lineage/quality, and lifecycle oversight)
Provide enterprise visibility and reporting on AI inventory, risk posture, control effectiveness, performance and drift, operational stability, issues/incidents, and remediation progress delivering actionable insights and recommendations to senior leadership and governance forums
Partner cross-functionally (Business, IT, Data, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Security, HR) to ensure AI solutions are designed and operated responsibly, with clear requirements, controls, and accountability for outcomes
Evaluate AI use cases and vendor solutions for readiness (governance, risk, control maturity, implementation feasibility, monitoring capability, documentation quality) and provide go/no-go and risk acceptance recommendations
In partnership with the People Team, enable responsible adoption through guidance and education by creating practical standards, templates, training, and “how-to” support that helps teams implement controls correctly and efficiently
Adheres to all company policies, procedures, and business ethics codes
Completes required regulatory training as assigned
Maintains strict adherence to and compliance with all laws, rules, regulations, and internal controls specific to the role, including but not limited to Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering, USA Patriot Act, OFAC and Fair Lending regulations