AI Implementation & Governance Principal

About the role

Water Corporation is seeking a Principal – AI Implementation & Governance to serve as the organisation's leading authority on AI governance, responsible for setting enterprise direction and influencing AI practices across business units, delivery teams and governance forums, providing deep technical expertise, strategic direction and enterprise-wide influence to ensure the safe, responsible and compliant adoption of Artificial Intelligence.

This highly influential principal-level role plays a critical part in shaping how AI is governed, implemented and operationalised across the organisation. Working across business units, technology teams and executive governance forums, you will drive enterprise-wide change in behaviours, processes and systems while embedding governance frameworks into operational workflows that prevent and mitigate AI-related risks.

You will act as the trusted expert and escalation point for complex and emerging AI governance challenges, partnering with senior leaders, technical specialists, product teams and system owners to balance innovation with appropriate oversight. The role requires exceptional professional credibility, the ability to influence at all levels of the organisation, and a proven track record of translating complex regulatory, ethical and governance requirements into practical, scalable controls that support trusted AI adoption.

A key focus of the role will be driving the implementation and operationalisation of AI governance across delivery methodologies, platforms, business processes and AI-enabled products, ensuring responsible AI practices become embedded in day-to-day operations rather than existing as standalone compliance activities.

You will also play a leading role in building organisational AI literacy and governance capability through education, coaching, mentoring and practical support, helping teams confidently deliver AI-enabled solutions while managing governance, risk and compliance obligations.

This is a rare opportunity to shape how AI is adopted across one of Western Australia's largest and most critical organisations, establishing the governance foundations that enable safe innovation at scale while supporting sustainable business value, transparency and trust.

Real benefits that matter

• Real flexibility with options to work from home or negotiate flexible work hours
• An additional 2 well-being days each year
• Access to long service leave pro rata after 3 years of service
• Generous co-contribution superannuation scheme, which offers up to 16%. This includes an 12% standard employer contribution, plus an additional 2% employer co-contribution that matches your own 2% contribution
• Purchase additional leave of up to 12 weeks or work 4 years at a reduced salary and take the fifth year off as paid leave

Discover more benefits we offer to support the unique and individual ways our employees live.

What the role will involve

AI Governance & Risk Management

• Lead the development, implementation and embedding of AI governance frameworks across the AI lifecycle, establishing principles, controls and accountability aligned to organisational risk appetite, regulatory obligations and responsible AI practices.
• Set enterprise AI governance direction, acting as the senior technical authority and escalation point for complex, ambiguous and high-risk governance matters.
• Collaborate with Data Analytics and Information Management teams to ensure consistent enterprise-wide governance standards.
• Provide expert advice and assurance on AI solutions, ensuring compliance with governance, regulatory and policy requirements.
• Identify, assess and mitigate AI risks through effective controls that maintain reliability, security and fitness for purpose.
• Monitor compliance, identify gaps and improvement opportunities, and coordinate remediation activities.
• Maintain governance artefacts including AI registers, risk dashboards, compliance reporting and governance documentation to support executive oversight.
• Serve as Secretariat for the AI & Data Committee, coordinating submissions, papers and governance decisions.
• Establish standards and assurance processes across the AI lifecycle, including testing, governance reviews and outcome validation.

Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management

• Build trusted relationships with executives, technical specialists, product teams and system owners through practical, evidence-based governance advice.
• Influence and drive enterprise-wide adoption of responsible AI principles across leadership, governance forums, developers and business stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted advisor on AI and data governance, providing guidance on risks, controls, safeguards and compliance obligations.
• Promote governance as a strategic enabler of innovation, trust and customer protection.
• Design scalable governance frameworks that integrate into business and technology operations.
• Lead change initiatives through communication, training and stakeholder engagement to ensure governance requirements are understood and adopted.
• Align diverse stakeholder groups while balancing innovation, ethical, regulatory and governance considerations.

Continuous Improvement & Capability Building

• Monitor and report on AI governance maturity, control effectiveness and assurance outcomes to support informed decision-making.
• Maintain awareness of emerging AI governance trends, standards, regulations and best practices, updating frameworks and policies as needed.
• Improve governance processes to strengthen accountability, transparency and safety while reducing administrative burden.
• Build organisational capability in responsible AI through training, tools, coaching and mentoring.
• Provide technical leadership and influence across cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.
• Champion governance as an enabler of safe innovation and sustainable AI value, contributing to the ongoing evolution of enterprise AI governance practices.

Ethics & Compliance

• Perform all duties in accordance with legislative, regulatory, corporate and ethical requirements.
• Uphold Water Corporation's Code of Conduct, Equity and Diversity Policy, WHS requirements, and Accountability and Empowerment Framework.
• Model behaviours that promote accountability, transparency, trust, continuous improvement and high performance.

Key Skills & Experience

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Business, IT, Data Science, Governance, Risk, Compliance or a related field.
• Extensive experience in AI and/or data governance, including governance frameworks, policies, standards, controls, risk assessment, assurance and lifecycle governance.
• Strong business analysis and process mapping capability, translating regulatory, policy and risk requirements into operational controls.
• Knowledge of leading governance frameworks (e.g. DAMA-DMBOK, DCAM) and governance tools such as Collibra, Alation or cloud-based solutions.
• Experience embedding governance controls into operational, delivery, architecture, cybersecurity and information risk processes.
• Familiarity with SDLC, CRISP-DM, AI model lifecycles, data products, assurance practices and benefits realisation.
• Ability to translate complex technical, governance and risk concepts into practical business guidance.
• Proven success influencing senior stakeholders, driving organisational change and building trusted relationships across business and technical teams.
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, change management, coaching and mentoring skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership and influence outcomes across cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to balance innovation, governance and organisational priorities in ambiguous environments.
• Commercially astute, passionate about responsible AI, and committed to fostering a safe, ethical and high-performing culture.

Apply: If you are interested in the above opportunity, please submit a covering letter and resume that best demonstrates your ability to meet the requirements of the role.

As part of the recruitment process you may be required to complete pre-employment screening which may include a medical, qualification check, police clearance and Australian working rights check.

Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace

Diversity and inclusion are more than words. They guide us on building a thriving workforce that reflects the diversity of our customers and our community. 

We encourage applications from every background, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, women, youth, LGBTQIA+ folks and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

We are committed to ensuring an accessible and inclusive work environment to enable people with disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. 

Applicants with disability who require adjustments during the recruitment process including an alternative format of the application form, can contact a Recruitment Officer at recruitment@watercorporation.com.au or 08 9420 2000.  

To read our diversity and inclusion statement, please visit our website