AI Governance Lead

Join Ascot Group – one of the world’s preeminent specialty risk underwriting organizations. Designed as a modern‑era company operating through an ecosystem of interconnected global platforms, we combine a collaborative, inclusive, and entrepreneurial culture with underwriting excellence, integrity, and a passion to find a better way – the Ascot Way. The Ascot Way guides our people and our organization, helping us deploy capital creatively across client‑centric, risk‑centric, and technology‑centric strategies.

Ascot offers clients leading financial security while delivering bespoke products and world‑class service, both pre‑ and post‑claims. We embed artificial intelligence and automation to enhance decision‑making, efficiency, and quality of outcomes. This role requires working confidently alongside AI‑enabled tools, applying sound judgment, and adapting as technology evolves.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Predictive Modeling & AI Strategy, the AI Governance Lead will operationalize and improve Ascot’s enterprise AI governance framework. The role ensures all AI solutions—across underwriting, claims, operations, and corporate functions—are safe, compliant, ethical, and value‑driven, aligned with regulatory expectations and internal risk standards. The position is in‑office with a hybrid schedule.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the enterprise AI governance framework, policies, standards, and controls
• Define and maintain AI risk classification models (high vs. low risk)
• Ensure alignment with regulatory expectations (NAIC AI Principles, EU guidance, model risk management)
• Improve governance standards for generative AI, predictive models, and third‑party/vendor AI solutions
• Lead the AI intake and assessment process using risk scoring frameworks
• Chair or support governance forums reviewing AI use cases prior to approval
• Establish clear escalation pathways for high‑risk use cases
• Maintain a central inventory of AI use cases, models, and tools
• Define lifecycle controls across development, validation, deployment, and monitoring
• Ensure controls for model explainability, bias/fairness testing, and human‑in‑the‑loop decisions
• Oversee governance for enterprise platforms (Copilot, Palantir, underwriting workbenches)
• Serve as the primary liaison with Legal, Compliance, and Risk on AI matters
• Interpret emerging regulations and translate them into practical governance controls
• Support internal and external audits and board reviews
• Maintain documentation and evidence for regulatory readiness (model cards, audit trails)
• Develop and track AI governance KPIs (adoption vs. risk exposure, high‑risk use cases, model performance degradation, policy compliance)
• Deliver board‑level reporting and dashboards
• Design and deliver AI governance training programs for business and technical teams
• Promote responsible AI practices and awareness across the organization
• Build playbooks, templates, and self‑service guidance
• Evaluate governance maturity of AI vendors and partners
• Define due diligence standards for tools and ensure contracts reflect data security and accountability requirements
• Responsible for the Enterprise AI Governance Framework, AI Risk Scoring Matrix, Intake Process, and Central AI Use Case Registry
• Demonstrate the Ascot Way by collaborating across teams, embracing inclusivity, and showing accountability

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of experience in AI, data science, risk, or governance
• Strong understanding of AI/ML lifecycle, model risk, generative AI (LLMs), and emerging risks
• Preferred experience in financial services or insurance
• Experience with governance frameworks (NAIC, SR 11‑7, EU AI Act)
• Familiarity with platforms such as Microsoft Copilot, Azure AI, Palantir, or Guidewire
• Background in model validation, audit, or regulatory engagement
• Proven experience working with legal, compliance, and risk functions
• Strong project management skills
• Ability to translate technical concepts into business and board‑level insights
• Strong strategic thinking and governance design
• Risk assessment and decision‑making frameworks
• Cross‑functional leadership and stakeholder management
• Executive communication and board reporting skills
• Practical, outcome‑oriented mindset (balance of control vs. enablement)

This role can be filled at a different level, depending on experience.

Compensation

Actual base pay may vary. The annualized base pay range is $185,000–$200,000. Total compensation may include an annual cash bonus and other discretionary rewards.

Company Benefits

• Health and welfare benefits: medical (including prescription coverage), dental, vision, health savings account, commuter account, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, AD&D, work/life resources (employee assistance program), and more
• Leave benefits: paid holidays, annual paid time off, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, other leaves (bereavement, FMLA, adoption, maternity, military, caregiver)
• Retirement benefits: contributory savings plan (401k)