Data and AI Governance Lead

About Fidelity Life

Fidelity Life has played a crucial role in supporting New Zealand's development for over five decades, protecting the lifestyle of its citizens. The company contributes significantly to the nation's growth through its stakeholders, customers, and workforce, establishing itself as a trusted and dedicated partner in safeguarding New Zealanders.

Role Overview

The Data and AI Governance Lead at Fidelity Life is tasked with designing, implementing, and constantly refining the company's comprehensive data and AI governance frameworks. This responsibility ensures that data and AI resources are handled ethically, securely, and in compliance with regulations. The position demands leadership in areas including data quality, ownership, metadata management, privacy, risk assessment, policy development, controls, responsible AI usage, model governance, and adherence to regulatory standards. The role serves as a liaison connecting business units, technology, risk management, legal teams, privacy experts, security personnel, and senior executives to guarantee practical, measurable governance aligned with the company's strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the execution of a holistic data and AI governance strategy, including policies, standards, and frameworks that conform to both organizational goals and legal requirements.
• Promote and institutionalize data and AI ownership, enable self-service, and foster stewardship and custodianship for critical data and AI solutions.
• Oversee data quality assurance, ensuring accuracy, consistency, timeliness, uniqueness, and completeness across systems.
• Enforce data security and compliance with regulations such as GDPR and New Zealand's Privacy Act 2020, alongside internal policies.
• Implement mechanisms to monitor and enhance data quality relating to essential data elements.
• Facilitate governance forums, including Data and AI governance councils and data quality review boards.
• Drive adoption of business glossaries, metadata standards, data dictionaries, and traceability methodologies.
• Formulate policies governing responsible AI, addressing fairness, accountability, transparency, explainability, safety, security, human oversight, and monitoring.
• Ensure all AI implementations undergo reviews for ethical, legal, privacy, security, and operational risks.
• Collaborate with data engineering, analytics, digital, and IT teams to integrate and govern data and AI initiatives organization-wide.
• Manage data and AI lifecycle processes from acquisition through disposal, including archiving, retention, and deletion protocols.
• Report governance performance and key metrics to senior leadership, driving continual improvements.
• Align governance practices with retention, privacy impact, model risk management, third-party risk, and cybersecurity mandates, especially pertinent to the New Zealand insurance sector.
• Maintain open communication with project managers and stakeholders to ensure governance activities and reporting remain timely and effective.
• Develop strong collaborative relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Enhance organizational understanding of data literacy and AI governance principles.

Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, information systems, data management, or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of solid experience in data governance or similar roles, with proven success in embedding governance operating models within large organizations.
• Hands-on experience applying AI governance frameworks, policies, and best practices.
• Certifications such as DAMA Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) or Certified Information Management Professional (CIMP), or advanced degrees focused on data and AI governance are advantageous.
• Strong background in data governance, risk management, compliance, or enterprise information management.
• Familiarity with event-driven architectures, modern cloud data environments, and relevant governance tools.
• Expertise in developing enterprise-scale data and AI governance frameworks.
• Proven capability in managing data quality, metadata, stewardship, privacy, and controls in complex business and technical settings.
• Experience in master and reference data management for large data solutions.
• Knowledge of AI governance, model lifecycle management, and responsible AI practices, especially within financial services, is preferred.

Additional Information

Fidelity Life is committed to equal opportunity employment, valuing diversity, and fostering an inclusive workplace. The company partners selectively with recruitment agencies and does not engage with unsolicited agency communications outside its preferred network.