Lead Advisory Consultant, AI Governance

phData is seeking an AI Governance Leader to join our Advisory team. You'll help enterprise clients identify AI governance gaps and design scalable, responsible governance programs that balance value realization and risk management. You'll partner with senior leadership to build frameworks, policies, and operating models, while shaping how AI governance is positioned as a core component of phData's Intelligence Platform strategy.

Core Responsibilities 

Client Delivery & Execution

• Lead AI ecosystem assessments; identify maturity gaps and design tailored governance frameworks (principles, policies, decision-rights) aligned to client's industry, regulatory environment, and AI enablement vision
• Own multi-workstream engagements; drive executive alignment and multi-year governance roadmaps connected to AI strategy and value realization
• Define governance evaluation and approval processes for AI tools and use cases: risk tiers, scoring methodology, and control expectations by risk tier
• Develop AI governance operating model blueprints: governing bodies, roles, RACIs, and interaction models across Technology, Product, InfoSec, Risk, and Legal
• Define and operationalize AI FinOps guardrails, including: spend visibility, budget thresholds, usage policies, platform/tool approval, license rationalization, and TCO decisions integrated into the broader governance model
• Facilitate executive and working sessions to align stakeholders and drive decisions
• Define governance metrics and dashboards tracking value, cost, risk exposure, control coverage, and governance effectiveness
• Recommend third-party AI governance tools; collaborate with engineering teams to ensure implementability on modern data & AI platforms
• Shape and close strategic opportunities in partnership with sales: value propositions, solution approaches, and delivery models
• Represent phData externally as a thought leader on AI governance at conferences, webinars, and partner events

Client Leadership & Account Growth

• Serve as a trusted advisor to day-to-day client sponsors and senior stakeholders, owning relationships, aligning on delivery roadmaps, and surfacing expansion opportunities
• Partner with executive sponsors, data and analytics leaders, product and delivery teams, and business end users to ensure seamless execution and measurable outcomes
• Build cross-practice relationships (Data Engineering, Analytics, AI/ML, Advisory) to design and deliver end-to-end solutions that drive customer success

Thought Leadership & Practice Development

• Contribute to phData's AI Governance, Operating Model, and FinOps offerings: methods, templates, accelerators, and client-ready collateral
• Support sales pursuits, webinars, and thought leadership focused on AI governance
• Mentor consultants and senior consultants

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years in AI/Data ecosystem assessment, multi-stakeholder program leadership, and advising senior executives on AI or data governance
• Demonstrated experience designing governance frameworks: risk tiering, model risk management, platform/tool approval processes
• Operating model design experience: roles, RACIs, governance bodies for data, analytics, or AI organizations
• Strong understanding of AI/GenAI concepts including model types, agentic workflows, and enterprise use cases
• Familiarity with AI governance standards: NIST AI RMF, EU AI Act, ISO/IEC 42001
• Working knowledge of data platforms and AI ecosystems (Snowflake, AWS, Claude, etc.) and how governance is implemented in practice
• Proven consulting delivery skills: problem framing, hypothesis-driven analysis, compelling executive-ready deliverables
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills; ability to translate complex governance concepts for business audiences
• Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and build cross-functional consensus
• Bachelor's degree; ability to travel as required by client commitments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience standing up AI governance committees, steering committees, or review boards — charters, cadences, and decision-rights
• Hands-on model risk management, responsible AI, or regulated-industry compliance experience (financial services, healthcare, or public sector)
• Prior consulting experience at a data/AI firm or within a central AI/ML office or analytics function
• Public thought leadership contributions on AI governance
• Advanced degree or relevant professional certifications