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)
Key Responsibilities:
Strategy & Framework Design: 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.
Influence & Community Building: Build and enable a robust community of practice among distributed Data Stewards and AI practitioners. You will not have "command and control"; authority; success will depend on your ability to build trust, provide value to partners, and align departmental goals with university-wide standards.
AI Governance & Risk: 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.
AI Data Readiness: Transform our Data assets by establishing a unified metadata layer. You will act as the translator between business Data Analysts, SMEs, and our Data/Analytics Engineering teams, ensuring that business terminology is mapped accurately (e.g., ensuring an AI agent understands that a "Full-Time Student" in a financial aid context (12+ credits) is distinct from "Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)" used for state reporting or faculty workload so engineers can build accurate semantic models for varying audiences.
Hands-on Operational Support: "Roll up your sleeves"; to help departments implement governance tooling. Assist in defining data lineage, improving data quality, and documenting metadata for complex institutional datasets.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: 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.
Metrics & Advocacy: 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.
Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Computing Services. Inclusion, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.
Required Qualifications:
Experience: 5+ years of experience in data governance, data management, and experience in AI ethics/policy.
The "Influence" Factor: 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.
Strategic Communication: 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.
Technical Depth: Familiarity with Data & AI lifecycle management, including experience with metadata management tools, data cataloging, and ML Ops/AI risk frameworks.
AI Readiness: An understanding of AI data readiness, including how traditional machine learning and Agentic AI interact with structured and unstructured data.
Technical Partnership: Experience partnering closely with Data Engineering and Analytics.
Preferred Qualifications:
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.
Why This Role?
This is a unique opportunity to revitalize a data governance program, incorporating AI, at one of the world’s leading institutions for Artificial Intelligence. You will have the autonomy to shape the role, the platform to influence data and AI governance policies, and the satisfaction of seeing your strategic work manifest in the hands-on success of CMU’s diverse data community.
Requirements:
Successful background check
Are you interested in this exciting opportunity?! Apply today!
Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.
Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.
Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!
For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.
At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.
Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!
Location
Pittsburgh, PAJob Function
Data AnalysisPosition Type
Staff – RegularFull Time/Part time
Full timePay Basis
More Information:
Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
Statement of Assurance
Skills Required
- 5+ years experience in data governance, data management, and AI ethics/policy
- Proven track record leading large-scale initiatives in a federated or decentralized environment
- Ability to present complex risk and governance concepts to senior leadership and coach departmental staff
- Familiarity with Data & AI lifecycle management, including metadata management tools, data cataloging, and MLOps/AI risk frameworks
- Understanding of AI data readiness and interaction of ML and Agentic AI with structured and unstructured data
- Experience partnering closely with Data Engineering and Analytics teams
- Successful background check
- Experience within a Research I university or 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 administrative data and academic research
Carnegie Mellon University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Carnegie Mellon University and has not been reviewed or approved by Carnegie Mellon University.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support is positioned as a standout, with automatic employer contributions to a TIAA-administered plan at 8% of base salary (and 9.78% for 9‑month academic appointments), plus optional employee deferrals. Vesting after three years is clearly specified, which helps set expectations for long-term value.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental and family support is strengthened by 100% paid parental leave for six weeks and 100% paid maternity leave for 6–8 weeks (delivery-type dependent), effective July 1, 2024. Childcare support is also referenced through a Cyert Center subsidy up to $5,000 per family, alongside no-cost EAP access.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle benefits include free Pittsburgh Regional Transit access and access to fitness classes and facilities, adding recurring non-cash value to the overall package. Pittsburgh’s relatively affordable cost of living can further increase the perceived adequacy of a given salary compared with higher-cost coastal hubs.
Carnegie Mellon University Insights
What We Do
Carnegie Mellon University founder Andrew Carnegie said: "My heart is in the work." No statement better captures the passion and drive of our people to make a real difference. At Carnegie Mellon, we're not afraid of the work. Our educational environment creates problem solvers, drivers of innovation and pioneers in technology and the arts. Employers in every field say our graduates are ready to hit the ground running the day they graduate. So, join us. Whether you're looking for a career or an education. Or both.
