DescriptionWhy RTIRTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approachโone that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the worldโs most challenging problems.We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you. About the Hiring GroupIn May 2025, RTI launched the Office of Data and AI Strategy (ODAS) and appointed its first Vice President of Data & AI Strategy to lead a transformative, enterprise-wide initiative advancing RTIโs data and AI capabilities. Building on the Instituteโs foundation in data governance, infrastructure, and talent, ODAS is integrating these strengths across the organization to shape a comprehensive strategy aligned with RTIโs mission, operational priorities, and long-term vision for innovation and responsible AI adoption. As ODAS continues to build its team, we are seeking a Director, AI Strategy & Implementation to establish, operationalize, and mature RTIโs enterprise data governance and responsible AI framework, ensuring that data and AI assets are trusted, compliant, reusable, and aligned with RTIโs scientific mission, regulatory obligations, and client expectations. This role is foundational to the credibility and long-term success of the Office of Data & AI Strategy (ODAS), particularly across federal, regulated, and commercial environments. It is not a compliance-only role; it is a strategy-to-execution leadership role that balances governance rigor with enablement, speed, and innovation, ensuring governance delivers real, day-to-day value while building scalable enterprise foundations. You will partner closely with ODAS leadership, business units, research operations, and enterprise functions to embed governance into how data, analytics, and AI are delivered across a highly federated, research-driven organization. What You'll DoEnterprise Data Governance & Responsible AIDesign, implement, and evolve RTIโs enterprise data governance framework, including data ownership, stewardship, metadata standards, data quality, lineage, classification, access, and lifecycle management.Establish and operationalize Responsible AI principles, policies, and guardrails aligned with ethical, legal, and regulatory expectations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, FIPS, sponsor and contractual requirements).Ensure governance is embedded across data, analytics, and AI workflows in partnership with Legal, Privacy, Security, IT, Labs, and Research leadership.Strategic Leadership & PartnershipDevelop and own RTIโs enterprise data governance strategy, ensuring alignment with ODAS priorities, RTIโs mission, and institute-wide strategic pillars.Serve as a trusted advisor to the VP of Data & AI Strategy, ODAS leadership, and senior stakeholders on data risk, AI ethics, and enterprise readiness.Support proposals, client engagements, audits, and due diligence by clearly articulating RTIโs governance posture and capabilities.Represent RTI in governance-related discussions with sponsors, partners, and external stakeholders as needed.Federated Operating Model & EnablementDefine and steward the federated governance operating model, including decision rights, RASCI, governance bodies, and escalation paths.Translate governance requirements into practical, usable standards, playbooks, templates, and guidance that enable data science, analytics, and AI delivery.Create governance processes that scale across decentralized research and consulting teams without impeding innovation or delivery.Operational Governance & StewardshipLead and mature the stewardship operating model, including effective assignment, onboarding, enablement, and coordination of Data Owners, Domain Stewards, and Enterprise Data Stewards.Oversee governance intake, prioritization, and issue-resolution workflows across domains.Partner closely with infrastructure, privacy, security, legal, compliance, and research operations to ensure alignment with institutional and regulatory requirements.Program Leadership, Adoption & ChangeDrive institute-wide adoption through structured change management, communication, training, and stakeholder engagement.Champion a culture of data literacy, transparency, accountability, and responsible data and AI use.Lead and develop a governance team that may include roles such as Data Governance Manager, Data Catalog & Metadata Manager, and Enterprise Data Stewards.Measurement & Continuous ImprovementDefine, track, and communicate governance KPIs, maturity metrics, and dashboards (e.g., data quality, adoption, compliance, reuse).Continuously evolve governance frameworks in response to emerging AI use cases, regulatory changes, and business priorities.Ensure close alignment with AI governance and analytics workstreams through partnership with the Director of AI Strategy and ODAS peers. What You'll NeedBachelorโs degree required; advanced degree preferred.10+ years of experience in data governance, data management, analytics, AI, or regulated environments.Demonstrated experience designing and implementing enterprise or federated data governance programs.Strong understanding of metadata management, data quality, data lifecycle management, cataloging, access management, regulatory compliance, and responsible AI.Proven ability to influence senior leaders and operate effectively in matrixed, decentralized organizations.Excellent executive communication, facilitation, and change leadership skills.Bias toward action with the ability to balance long-term strategy and near-term delivery.Preferred QualificationsExperience with governance platforms such as Collibra, Atlan, Alation, or similar tools.Experience in scientific, academic, public sector, or highly regulated research environments.Experience with secondary-use governance, research data ecosystems, or data marketplaces.Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams. #LI-BM1 Equal Pay Act Minimum/Range$200,000.00-$250,000.00
ResponsibilitiesEnterprise Data Governance & Responsible AIDesign, implement, and evolve RTIโs enterprise data governance framework, including data ownership, stewardship, metadata standards, data quality, lineage, classification, access, and lifecycle management.Establish and operationalize Responsible AI principles, policies, and guardrails aligned with ethical, legal, and regulatory expectations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, FIPS, sponsor and contractual requirements).Ensure governance is embedded across data, analytics, and AI workflows in partnership with Legal, Privacy, Security, IT, Labs, and Research leadership.Strategic Leadership & PartnershipDevelop and own RTIโs enterprise data governance strategy, ensuring alignment with ODAS priorities, RTIโs mission, and institute-wide strategic pillars.Serve as a trusted advisor to the VP of Data & AI Strategy, ODAS leadership, and senior stakeholders on data risk, AI ethics, and enterprise readiness.Support proposals, client engagements, audits, and due diligence by clearly articulating RTIโs governance posture and capabilities.Represent RTI in governance-related discussions with sponsors, partners, and external stakeholders as needed.Federated Operating Model & EnablementDefine and steward the federated governance operating model, including decision rights, RASCI, governance bodies, and escalation paths.Translate governance requirements into practical, usable standards, playbooks, templates, and guidance that enable data science, analytics, and AI delivery.Create governance processes that scale across decentralized research and consulting teams without impeding innovation or delivery.Operational Governance & StewardshipLead and mature the stewardship operating model, including effective assignment, onboarding, enablement, and coordination of Data Owners, Domain Stewards, and Enterprise Data Stewards.Oversee governance intake, prioritization, and issue-resolution workflows across domains.Partner closely with infrastructure, privacy, security, legal, compliance, and research operations to ensure alignment with institutional and regulatory requirements.Program Leadership, Adoption & ChangeDrive institute-wide adoption through structured change management, communication, training, and stakeholder engagement.Champion a culture of data literacy, transparency, accountability, and responsible data and AI use.Lead and develop a governance team that may include roles such as Data Governance Manager, Data Catalog & Metadata Manager, and Enterprise Data Stewards.Measurement & Continuous ImprovementDefine, track, and communicate governance KPIs, maturity metrics, and dashboards (e.g., data quality, adoption, compliance, reuse).Continuously evolve governance frameworks in response to emerging AI use cases, regulatory changes, and business priorities.Ensure close alignment with AI governance and analytics workstreams through partnership with the Director of AI Strategy and ODAS peers
QualificationBachelorโs degree required; advanced degree preferred.10+ years of experience in data governance, data management, analytics, AI, or regulated environments.Demonstrated experience designing and implementing enterprise or federated data governance programs.Strong understanding of metadata management, data quality, data lifecycle management, cataloging, access management, regulatory compliance, and responsible AI.Proven ability to influence senior leaders and operate effectively in matrixed, decentralized organizations.Excellent executive communication, facilitation, and change leadership skills.Bias toward action with the ability to balance long-term strategy and near-term delivery.Preferred QualificationsExperience with governance platforms such as Collibra, Atlan, Alation, or similar tools.Experience in scientific, academic, public sector, or highly regulated research environments.Experience with secondary-use governance, research data ecosystems, or data marketplaces.Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams. #LI-BM1