AI Governance Lead

The Role

We are seeking a high-calibre AI governance consultant to join an engagement with a leading global bank, embedded within its Credit & Lending division. In this role you will own the end-to-end AI governance framework for one of the bank’s most strategically significant AI use cases, sitting at the intersection of responsible AI, regulatory compliance and enterprise-scale deployment.

This is a visible, high-accountability position requiring a confident governance practitioner who can operate autonomously, represent the programme at senior governance forums, and drive rigorous oversight of AI model risk, data governance and regulatory alignment. You will be the accountable lead for governance, not a supporting voice.

Key Responsibilities

Governance ownership and accountability

• - Hold full, end-to-end ownership of the AI governance framework for the designated credit and lending use case, from policy through to operational controls.
• - Serve as the single accountable point for governance deliverables, ensuring all artefacts meet internal standards and external regulatory expectations.
• - Define and maintain the governance operating model, including roles, responsibilities, escalation pathways and decision-making authority.
• - Embed a culture of responsible AI across the delivery team, ensuring governance is treated as an enabler, not a checkpoint.

Governance forum representation

• - Represent the AI programme at senior client governance forums, model risk committees, data governance boards and regulatory engagement sessions.
• - Present clear, evidence-based updates on governance status, risk posture and remediation activity to senior stakeholders and ExCo-level audiences.
• - Act as the authoritative voice on governance matters, building credibility and trust with the client’s Chief Risk Officer, Chief Data Officer and regulatory affairs teams.

AI model and data risk management

• - Oversee AI model risk assessments, ensuring alignment with the bank’s Model Risk Management (MRM) framework and relevant regulatory guidance (e.g. SR 11-7, EBA guidelines on internal models).
• - Govern data quality, lineage and provenance standards for AI training and inference data within the credit and lending domain.
• - Identify, document and manage governance risks and issues, driving timely resolution and escalation where required.

Policy, standards and regulatory alignment

• - Translate evolving AI regulation (EU AI Act, FCA/PRA expectations, Basel AI risk guidance) into practical governance controls and client-facing policy updates.
• - Ensure the AI use case governance framework aligns with enterprise data, technology and risk policies.
• - Support audit and regulatory examination readiness, acting as the primary governance contact for internal audit and external regulators.

Stakeholder engagement and advisory

• - Partner with the client’s technology, data, legal, compliance and business teams to embed governance requirements throughout the AI development lifecycle.
• - Provide expert advice to project leadership on governance risk, acting as a trusted counsel rather than a pure process enforcer.
• - Mentor junior team members on governance methodology and best practice.

Experience and Profile

• - Demonstrable experience in a governance leadership role, ideally data governance, model risk or information governance within financial services.
• - Proven track record of owning and driving governance frameworks independently, with full accountability for outcomes.
• - Confident representation at governance forums, risk committees or regulatory engagements at senior or ExCo level.
• - Strong understanding of AI/ML model risk, data quality standards and the responsible AI landscape.
• - Familiarity with relevant regulatory frameworks, including SR 11-7, EBA guidelines, the EU AI Act and FCA/PRA supervisory expectations.
• - Ability to translate complex governance requirements into pragmatic, business-aligned controls.
• - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce board-quality governance artefacts and present with authority.
• - Direct experience within credit, lending, or retail or wholesale banking environments is desirable.
• - Exposure to AI use-case deployment in a regulated financial institution (e.g. credit scoring, affordability models, collections AI) is desirable.
• - Professional qualifications in data management (CDMP), risk (FRM/PRM) or a relevant postgraduate qualification would be beneficial.
• - Experience of consulting or advisory delivery within a Big 4, boutique advisory or Tier 1 bank’s internal consulting function would be beneficial.

Benefits

We offer a competitive salary. Our benefits package is designed to support your wellbeing and development. This includes:

• - Group Life Assurance
• - Virtual GP and Online Physiotherapy
• - Confidential Helpline/Employee Assistance Programme
• - Wellbeing Studio & Digital Gym
• - Discounted shopping cards, e-vouchers & cashback offers
• - Percentage discounts & savings on brands online & in store
• - Statutory pension contribution - salary exchange scheme
• - 30 days annual leave, including UK Bank Holidays