AI Governance Manager

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

AI Governance Manager

Manchester: £50,739 - £60,178

Permanent

Are you ready to shape the future of ethical AI? Imagine being able to shape and lead AI governance in an organisation where your expertise ensures compliance, mitigates risks, and drives ethical AI adoption. If you thrive on creating and driving frameworks that balance innovation with responsibility, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Drive Ethical AI Practices & Compliance
As an AI Governance Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in developing and implementing AI governance frameworks that align with legal, regulatory, ethical, and international standards. Working closely, across the entire organisation, with technical teams, projects, legal experts, and business stakeholders, you’ll drive a culture of responsible & ethical AI use across the organisation. With AI rapidly evolving, your insights will help shape policies, risk management strategies, and training initiatives, embedding compliance into our AI-driven future.

What’s in it for you?

• Assess and mitigate AI-related risks, ensuring transparency, fairness, explainability, privacy, and accountability.
• Conduct audits, compliance reporting, and drive AI-related governance initiatives, including incident management.
• Provide training and guidance on responsible and ethical AI for business stakeholders and leadership.
• Enjoy a flexible work environment with a 35-hour week and extensive opportunities for professional and personal development.
• Access to an enhanced contributory pension scheme which could you see you paying in 7% and AQA contributing 11.5% (Other options are available)
• Receive 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus bank holidays and additional Christmas office closure.
• Comprehensive health coverage from day one, including Bupa PMI, Health Cash Plan, and Life Assurance.
• Participate in eco-friendly transport schemes, including electric vehicles and cycle-to-work options.

To excel, you should have:

• Experience in AI ethics, risk management, and compliance frameworks.
• Experience in implementing AI governance, policies, risk mitigation and compliance strategies.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to communicate complex concepts effectively.
• A proactive, problem-solving mindset with a commitment to responsible AI.
• Relevant certifications such as AIGP, CIPP/E, CIPM.

How do I apply?

Read the full job description and upload your most recent CV by following the link provided.

Closing date for applications will be Monday 14th April.

AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and supported to thrive

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Full Job Description

Summary

Purpose:
In your role as AI Governance Manager, you operate within the (Enterprise Technology) Data Protection and Compliance team. You will be responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of AQA’s AI governance framework and for the delivery and management of related governance and operational processes whilst directly contributing to the embedding AI governance practices and frameworks across the organisation.
You will possess an inherent and robust understanding of AI ethical and governance principles, legislation, technologies, and regulation and have demonstrable experience in the application and delivery of related governance.
You will ensure that the organisation operates in alignment with and adherence to any and all relevant legal, regulatory, and organisational governance and policy requirements, influencing, guiding and where necessary facilitating compliance.
You will provide business stakeholders with timely and effective advice / guidance and support, shaping and guiding how they may effectively and proportionately achieve any required levels of compliance. You will promote the effective and proportionate delivery of AI related governance through a variety of mechanisms including:
• effective stakeholder engagement / communication
• creation and delivery of training & awareness content
• application of consultative technical expertise / subject matter knowledge
• delivery of governance, risk management and related performance monitoring / reporting
• collaborative management and leadership skills
You will be familiar with, and ideally have experience of, the use of tools / platforms to deliver of AI related management, governance, and compliance.
You will foster a positive culture of responsible and ethical AI use throughout the organisation ensuring adequate and proportionate compliance with all relevant domestic / national and international DP and AI regulations.
You will provide business stakeholders and senior leadership with regular assessments and reporting covering AI governance health, compliance performance and any related risks / issues and suggestions for how they might be addressed.Landscape:
The Enterprise Technology Division sits within the Corporate Services Division, enabling the centralised delivery of core corporate services. In addition, Enterprise Technology operates in close partnership with Assessment Technology and Programme Management, collectively delivering the full IT service portfolio of current operations to future change programmes.
The AI Governance Manager role sits within the Architecture and Security department in the Corporate Services Office - Enterprise Technology business area, reporting to the Group Data Protection & AI Ethics/Governance Lead. This role is a management position that requires collaboration and close working with cross-functional teams, wider team members, technical teams, legal, and business units.

Enterprise Technology consists of the following functions:
Service Delivery
Enterprise IT Services (Core IT Delivery teams - desktop, systems & infrastructure)
Enterprise Applications
Architecture & Security

Architecture & Security consists of:
Architecture (including Enterprise oversight)
Security & Risk
Security Operations (including Security Operations Centre)
Data Protection & Compliance

The Data Protection and Compliance team compromises of 5 team members delivering into the roles of:
Group Data Protection and AI Ethics lead
Data Protection Manager
AI Governance Manager
Data Protection Administrators(s)

Activities:
Develop and implement an AI governance framework to ensure alignment with legal, ethical, and organisational policies.
Manage the main day-to-day contact with the business to advise on potential complaints and AI incidents, ensuring that all incidents are investigated, and remedial action is undertaken in accordance with AI and Data Protection regulations.
Manage day-to-day AI compliance, advising on AI requirements and best practice.
Draft, implement, and maintain policies, asset inventories, incident logs, and ethical risk assessments related to AI ethics, governance, risk, and usage.
Implement and manage ethical framework processes for review, approval, and deployment of AI within new projects being implemented across AQA and its partner organisations.
Collaborate with technical teams, legal, and business units to embed ethical AI practices into all operational processes.
Assess and mitigate risks related to AI transparency, fair use, explainability, bias, safety, and misuse.
Ensure that AQA is compliant with requirements for AI under ISO 27001, ISO 27701 and ISO 42001 standards and contribute to audits as required.
Monitor compliance with international, regional, and industry-specific AI regulations and deal with any queries or complaints ensuring incorporation of any changes within policies and procedures.
Define AI accountability structures and processes across the organisation.
Develop metrics to monitor the effectiveness of AI governance practices.
Develop an understanding of operational processes and controls, and manage support in assessing their effectiveness in mitigating AI risks faced by AQA.
Assist AQA at regulatory meetings on operational matters and other external stakeholder meetings as required.
Required to analyse complex service issues and determine appropriate resolutions in the interest of AQA and service stakeholders, whilst mitigating the risk of AI compliance failure in related regulated practices.
Assist in coordinating investigations, provision and interpretation of AI and responses to regulatory authorities.
Manage the operational development and delivery of a comprehensive and ongoing data protection awareness training programme, including face to face and on-line training, and disseminating new guidance on Data Protection to all colleagues and AQA partners.
Lead cross-functional teams in the implementation of AI governance practices.
Oversee regular audits of AI systems to identify and promote potential ethical or regulatory risks.
Ensure robust incident response plans are in place for AI-related issues.
Prepare and present reporting to senior leadership on AI Governance, Risk and Compliance with measurable Key Performance Indicators.
Keep up to date with the latest AI technologies and regulations, proactively promoting AI best practice.
Deliver a high-quality service to all customers, colleagues, associates and third parties, with high attention to accuracy of information.
The role will also involve assisting the wider team with input into the development and delivery of Data Protection Governance across the organisation.

To be successful in this role, you will need to know:
Technical Skills:
Strong understanding of AI/ML principles, algorithms, technologies, and related risks / challenges / benefits.
Proficiency in tools and platforms for AI governance, such as explainability tools, bias detection software, and model monitoring solutions.
Knowledge of AI lifecycle management, including data collection, model training, and deployment.
Operate systems related to the work in AI. A working knowledge will be required of any systems that will enable the post-holder to resolve queries at first point of contact or make outbound contact.
To utilise the available range of digital tools for communication, content creation and information processing in order to work effectively and efficiently. To maintain digital skills to meet business need.
To comply with AQA IT security policies.

Subject Matter Expertise:
In-depth knowledge of ethical AI principles and regulatory frameworks governing AI, such as UK GDPR, EU AI Act, and ISO standards like ISO 42001.
Working knowledge of Data Protection governance, risk, and compliance.
Act as the subject matter expert for AI governance for the organisation.
Awareness of societal, ethical, and cultural implications of AI technologies.
Excellent knowledge of managing, advising, and monitoring of all key aspects of AI risk.
Broad understanding of the political, educational, and business context within which AQA works.
Excellent working knowledge and understanding of administrative procedures and IT applications.
Keep up to date with related domestic / international legislation.
Working knowledge of DP practices, principles, ethics, and regulation for cross team working.

People Management:
Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams with diverse expertise on AI Governance implementation.
Strong interpersonal skills for effective stakeholder engagement.
Mentor and develop wider team members to foster a culture of responsible AI use.
Conduct workshops and training programs to educate employees about responsible AI use.
To act as a role model, demonstrating the appropriate AQA behaviours, e.g. collaborative, team player, giving constructive feedback, developing, and managing self, in order to deliver excellent customer services.
By being a team player, enable high levels of performance from team and colleagues across the business by modelling AQA behaviours with confidence and providing clarity, challenge, feedback, coaching and development as required in line with business objectives.

Skills:
Experience in creating and implementing governance frameworks, risk management and compliance strategies.
Analytical mindset to assess compliance and ethical implications of AI systems.
Ability to manage audits and compliance reporting.
Excellent change management skills, tools, and techniques.
Ability to design, plan, deliver and measure the impact of compliance programmes in an organisation.
Ability to assess complex information, situations and issues and deploy innovative problem-solving skills.
Ability to persuade and influence both internally and in external networks.
Strong communication skills, both orally (large/small groups) and in writing with an ability to convey complex information to business users.
Strong IT skills; accurate and proficient user of MS Office, particularly Excel, and other systems.

Leadership Skills:
Inspire and motivate wider team members and colleagues.
Work flexibly and adapt management style to get the best performance from colleagues.

Behaviours:
To model leadership behaviours with confidence and try to get the very best from direct reports and teams by providing clarity, feedback, coaching and development, while continuously seeking to enhance performance in line with business objectives.
Collaborative: works with others to achieve the organisation and team vision, contributing expertise and developing self and others to achieve excellence.
High integrity and commitment to ethical practices.
Proactive and innovative approach to problem-solving.
Excellent communication skills to translate complex technical issues for non-technical audiences.

Experience:
Two to three years’ experience of working in a data or similar governance role.
Experience of developing and maintaining effective working relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders.
Experience of successfully delivering organisational wide governance programmes and/or frameworks in organisations.
Proven experience of working with senior level stakeholders, including third party suppliers, auditors, and regulatory bodies.
Experience in successfully delivering change through collaborative matrix management rather than hierarchical relationships.

Desired Qualifications:
Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
Certifications in data protection (e.g., CIPP/E, CIPM, PC.dp) or AI ethics / governance (e.g. AIGP).
Experience in a similar governance or compliance role.