AI Governance Specialist Sydney, NSW | Contract The Opportunity A leading NSW government organisation is seeking an experienced AI Governance Specialist to lead the development and implementation of enterprise-wide AI governance practices. This is a high-impact role focused on ensuring the safe, ethical, and compliant use of Artificial Intelligence across a large, complex environment. You will play a critical role in shaping governance frameworks, embedding risk controls, and driving organisational adoption of AI policies-working closely with Legal, Privacy, Ethics, Procurement, and ICT teams. This role is advisory and assurance-focused, influencing outcomes across the business. It does not involve building or delivering AI solutions. Key Responsibilities Develop and maintain AI governance frameworks, policies, and standards aligned to NSW and global best practices Lead the AI risk management process, including system classification, risk assessments, and treatment oversight Embed AI governance into procurement and contract management, including supplier obligations and evaluation criteria Partner with Legal, Privacy, Ethics, and Procurement teams to develop AI-specific contractual clauses and guidance Coordinate ethical and privacy reviews, ensuring outcomes are captured in governance artefacts Establish and manage the organisation's AI system register and assurance processes Monitor evolving AI regulations and standards, advising on impacts and required changes Provide reporting, insights, and assurance to senior executives and governance forums Lead AI change and adoption strategies, including training, communications, and capability uplift Develop practical resources such as playbooks, FAQs, and micro-learning content Deliver training on AI safety, ethics, privacy-by-design, and responsible use Track and report on AI adoption, compliance, and governance maturity metrics Act as a central point of contact for AI governance queries and escalation pathways Build and maintain a network of AI champions across the organisation Key Relationships Internal: Chief Data Officer & Data Governance Office Legal, Privacy, Ethics, Procurement & ICT teams Project Managers & Product Owners External: NSW Government stakeholders and assurance bodies Vendors and suppliers (governance & compliance oversight) About You You are a senior governance professional with deep expertise in AI, data governance, and risk frameworks. You're comfortable operating in complex environments and influencing stakeholders at all levels. Key Requirements: 10 years' experience in Data and/or AI Governance Proven experience implementing governance tools such as Collibra, IBM Watson, Credo AI, Informatica, or similar Strong background in policy development, risk management, and procurement governance Hands-on experience with AI risk management, including system classification and risk assessment frameworks Strong knowledge of frameworks such as NSW AIAF, NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001, ISO/IEC 23894 Experience embedding ethical AI practices (bias mitigation, transparency, fairness) Demonstrated ability to partner across Legal, Privacy, Ethics, Procurement, and Data teams Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and influencing skills Why Apply? Shape AI governance at scale within a large, complex organisation Work at the forefront of AI policy, ethics, and regulation Influence executive decision-making and compliance outcomes Drive meaningful change in how AI is safely adopted