About this role
Enterprise clients struggle to balance rapid AI adoption with safe risk management, often lacking structured frameworks to govern modern machine learning and generative tools. phData needs an experienced leader to help organizations identify governance gaps, establish responsible programs, and design operating models that safely accelerate value realization.
As the Lead Advisory Consultant for AI Governance, the successful candidate will direct client engagements, shape advisory offerings, and collaborate closely with sales and engineering teams. This individual will partner with senior executives to define risk tiers, operationalize FinOps guardrails, and build cross-functional consensus across legal, security, and product groups.
Ideal candidates bring a deep consulting background combined with practical expertise in data ecosystems and regulatory standards. Someone who thrives in a remote-first environment, communicates complex concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders, and enjoys mentoring junior team members will do exceptionally well here.
What you will do
- Lead comprehensive AI ecosystem assessments to identify maturity gaps and design tailored governance frameworks aligned with industry regulations.
- Manage multi-workstream engagements that drive executive alignment and multi-year governance roadmaps connected to overall business strategy.
- Define evaluation and approval processes for AI tools, including risk-tiering methodologies and control expectations.
- Develop operational model blueprints that establish clear governing bodies, roles, and RACIs across technology, product, risk, and legal teams.
- Operationalize AI FinOps guardrails covering spend visibility, budget thresholds, license rationalization, and total cost of ownership decisions.
- Facilitate stakeholder working sessions to define metrics tracking value, risk exposure, cost, and control coverage.
- Partner with sales teams to shape strategic opportunities through tailored solution approaches, value propositions, and delivery models.
- Contribute to internal practice development by creating reusable methods, templates, accelerators, and client-ready collateral.
What you need
- Bring at least five years of experience in the AI and data ecosystem conducting assessments, leading multi-stakeholder programs, and advising senior executives.
- Demonstrate hands-on experience designing governance frameworks such as risk tiering, model risk management, and platform approval processes.
- Possess operating model design experience, including the creation of roles, RACIs, and governance committees for data or AI organizations.
- Understand modern AI and generative AI concepts, including various model types, agentic workflows, and typical enterprise use cases.
- Maintain familiarity with established AI governance standards such as the NIST AI RMF, the EU AI Act, and ISO/IEC 42001.
- Demonstrate working knowledge of cloud data platforms and AI ecosystems like Snowflake, AWS, and Claude.
- Possess exceptional communication and storytelling skills to translate complex governance topics for business audiences.
- Hold a bachelor's degree and remain available to travel as required by client commitments.
Nice to have
- Experience standing up AI governance committees, steering committees, or review boards with defined charters and decision-rights.
- Hands-on background in model risk management, responsible AI, or regulated-industry compliance within financial services, healthcare, or the public sector.
- Prior consulting experience at a data and AI firm or within a central AI/ML office or analytics function.
- Public thought leadership contributions focused specifically on AI governance.
- An advanced degree or relevant professional certifications.
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
Where is this role located?
This is a remote-first position with phData employing individuals across the United States, Latin America, and India.
What platforms and ecosystems will I work with?
You will work with modern data platforms and AI ecosystems including Snowflake, AWS, Anthropic Claude, and other related technologies.
What kind of travel is required for this position?
The role requires travel as needed by client commitments.
How can I request a disability accommodation during the hiring process?
Candidates who would like to request an accommodation due to a disability can contact the company through People Operations.