[Hiring] Vice President, Data and AI Governance and Protection @International Justice Mission

Role Description

The Vice President, Data & AI Governance & Protection will help shape and operationalize International Justice Mission’s (IJM) global approach to data governance, privacy, responsible AI, and data protection. Reporting to the Chief Data & Technology Officer (CDTO), this role will work collaboratively across Legal Counsel, Risk & Compliance, Cybersecurity, and business teams to establish the governance and protection foundations needed to responsibly enable IJM’s data and AI strategy.

• Help ensure IJM’s data is trusted, accessible, and responsibly used—unlocking innovation in analytics and AI, including emerging agentic AI capabilities.
• Safeguard sensitive information and align with applicable legal and regulatory expectations.
• Translate privacy, governance, and data protection requirements into practical, scalable business and technology practices.
• Operationalize and embed governance, privacy, and responsible AI practices across IJM.

Responsibilities

• Data Governance & Stewardship (Foundation for Data & AI)
  • Partner with stakeholders across IJM to mature the enterprise Data Governance program.
  • Help establish and scale a global Data Stewardship model.
  • Collaborate with Data & Technology teams to embed governance into data platforms.
  • Support the development of common definitions, standards, lineage, and stewardship practices.
• Data & AI Enablement Through Governance
  • Help position governance as a strategic enabler of IJM’s data and AI roadmap.
  • Partner with business and technology leaders to reduce friction for responsible innovation.
  • Support scalable, mission-aligned AI use cases.
• Agentic AI Governance & Innovation
  • Partner with AI, Legal, and Technology leaders to establish practical guardrails for Agentic AI systems.
  • Support frameworks for responsible data access, minimization, consent, and appropriate use.
  • Help governance practices evolve alongside innovation.
• Data Privacy & Protection (In Partnership with Legal Team)
  • Partner closely with Legal Counsel to operationalize IJM’s global privacy and data protection practices.
  • Help translate legal and regulatory requirements into scalable processes.
  • Promote Privacy by Design and responsible data handling.
• Data Risk & Compliance (In Partnership with Risk & Compliance Teams)
  • Collaborate with Risk & Compliance partners to develop data-specific risk frameworks.
  • Support integration of data-related risks into enterprise risk management processes.
  • Partner across teams to strengthen readiness for evolving data and AI-related obligations.
• Security Partnership (Enabling Cybersecurity)
  • Work closely with Cybersecurity teams to align data protection requirements.
  • Help translate governance and privacy needs into practical guidance.
  • Support prioritization of protections for IJM’s most sensitive information.
• Incident Response (Data-Focused Partnership)
  • Partner with Cybersecurity, Legal, and Risk teams to coordinate data privacy aspects of incidents.
  • Support lessons learned and continuous improvement in data handling practices.
• Third-Party & Digital Data Governance
  • Collaborate with Procurement, Risk, and Legal teams for third-party data protection assessments.
  • Help promote responsible and compliant data practices across digital channels.
• Training, Awareness & Culture
  • Partner with learning and business teams to promote data governance awareness.
  • Equip Data Stewards and business leaders with tools to manage data responsibly.
  • Foster a culture of stewardship, trust, responsible innovation, and ethical AI use.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field such as:
  • Information Systems
  • Computer Science
  • Data Management
  • Cybersecurity
  • Information Security
  • Business Administration
  • Public Policy / Law / Risk / Compliance (if paired with strong data governance experience)
• Master’s degree preferred in areas such as:
  • Information Management
  • Data Science
  • Cybersecurity
  • Business Administration (MBA)
  • Public Administration / Policy
  • Law / Privacy / Compliance-related discipline
• Demonstrated ability to originate and organize programs that align AI strategy, technology, governance, risk, and operations with business growth.
• Ability to conceive and position enterprise AI governance and protection strategies.
• Proven skill in leading and advocating for technology governance initiatives.

Requirements

• Eager commitment to IJM's Core Values: Christian, Professional and Bridge-Building.
• Demonstrated expertise leading cross-functional organizations at scale.
• Strong capacity to build strategic relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
• Self-starter with strong initiative; disciplined with priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication.
• Flexible, collaborative, and eager to support others.
• Adept at creative problem solving.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision benefits.
• Monthly commuter and parking benefits in the DC metro area.
• Retirement benefit options.
• Paid leave starting at 23 days.
• 12 holidays (plus early release the day prior).
• Daily, quarterly, and annual community spiritual formation.
• Robust staff care resources.