AI Governance Lead

AI Governance Lead

Salary: £42,479 - £49,976 (dependent on experience)

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full-Time

Location: Poole, Dorset, England

Location description: Hybrid between home and Poole

Closing Date: 11-10-2026

Reference: 22039

About us

Our purpose is simple, to save lives at sea. Our teams need a dedicated, professional, and talented team behind them, and that’s where you come in. We’re looking for an AI Governance Lead to join our Data Governance and Management team. This exciting new role will ensure that Artificial Intelligence is adopted safely, ethically, responsibly and effectively across the organisation, enabling our people to realise the benefits of AI while protecting the organisation, its data, reputation and values.

Some of the benefits

- Salary: £42,479 - £49,976 (dependent on experience)

- Flexible working

- 26 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays

- Competitive pension scheme

- Life assurance

- Health and dental cashplan option

About the role

As our new AI Governance Lead, you will be responsible for developing, maintaining and continually improving the organisation's AI governance framework. We are looking for someone who can provide practical leadership for AI policy, standards, controls, assurance, risk management and responsible adoption practices. You will ensure AI technologies are used in a way that aligns with organisational strategy, legal and regulatory obligations, information governance requirements and ethical principles.

As part of the Data Governance team within Information & Digital Services, the successful candidate will work across business functions while aligning closely with Information Security, Infrastructure, Data Protection, Legal, Learning and Development and our Communications team, acting as the organisation's subject matter expert on AI governance. You will provide strategic direction, develop governance processes, oversee assurance activities, support executive decision-making, and foster a culture of enablement through safe, confident and responsible AI use.

About you

We are looking for someone who can balance innovation with responsibility, making informed judgements about tools, risks, and organisational needs. You will be detail-focused and capable of assessing the implications of adopting new technology.

We are looking for candidates who have:

- Degree‑level qualification (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as Data Science, Computer Science, Information Management, or Digital Technologies, with a demonstrated AI learning path

- Experience in a similar role, as a subject matter expert on AI, researching, evaluating, or applying digital or AI tools to solve business problems

- The ability to translate technical concepts into accessible guidance for users

- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to assess user needs and determine suitable AI solutions

- Excellent communication skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders across technical and non‑technical teams

It is also desirable that you have:

- Experience or training in user support, digital adoption, or technology evaluation

- Knowledge of information governance and security, data protection, or technology‑related risk assessment

- Knowledge of Microsoft Copilot capabilities

- Experience with AI‑assisted productivity tools or digital adoption practices

If this sounds like you, and you are someone who enjoys research, analysis, and structured evaluation, while understanding the importance of data governance and safe technology use – apply today!

In return, you will be part of an extraordinary team and have the satisfaction of playing a significant role in driving forward the business of the RNLI: saving lives at sea.

Safeguarding and referencing

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include reference checks at offer stage and relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable) and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One