Job Description

The Director, AI Governance & Risk will play a key role in maturing, implementing, and overseeing Simpson Thacher’s AI governance framework, policies and controls to ensure responsible, ethical, secure and compliant use of artificial intelligence. This role will report to the Chief Risk Officer and will be part of a multi-disciplinary team focused on accelerating the adoption of appropriate AI tools and technologies across the Firm.

The Director will bridge legal, risk, compliance, technology & business teams to manage AI-related risks across the full AI lifecycle – from ideation and development to deployment and monitoring.

As a senior leaderThe Director will lead Firm-wide AI governance initiatives, align AI practices with regulatory requirements and industry standards, and serve as a key advisor to Partners and Senior Leadership on AI risk, ethics and controls.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive AI governance framework, including policies, standards, controls and operation procedures

• Establish governance processes for evaluating AI use cases, the selection of appropriate tools and technologies, assessing technology developments and vendor due diligence

• Define AI risk tiers and approval pathways based on materiality, impact, and regulatory exposure

• Ensure data and information governance aligns, enables and supports the adoption of AI tools and technologies

• Support the development and enhancement of AI user capability across the Firm, including the development of appropriate training for lawyers, professional staff and leaders

• Identify, assess and mitigate AI-related risks, including data privacy, cybersecurity, and third party/vendor risk

• Partner with the Office of General Counsel, Information Security, Information Governance and Knowledge & Innovation teams to integrate AI risks in existing risk frameworks

• Design and oversee AI-related risk assessments, impact assessments and control testing

• Monitor and interpret global AI-related regulation standards and ensure AI systems and practices comply with applicable laws, regulations and internal policies

• Lead the Firm’s responsible AI principles and ethical guidelines

• Serve as a trusted advisor to Partners and Senior Leadership on AI risk and governance matters

• Drive AI governance awareness and training across the Firm

• Promote a culture of responsible AI use and accountability

Education

• JD required

Skills & Required Experience

• Qualified lawyer, with 6-10 years of practicing experience at an international law firm

• Minimum 2-5 years of relevant experience in AI, risk and compliance

• Strategic thinking with strong execution capability

• Regulatory interpretation and policy development [end to end program management, establishing governance model, etc.

• Demonstrated experience designing, managing, and executing large-scale, firm-wide projects

• Cross-functional leadership and excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence the actions of internal stakeholders and manage relationships with external stakeholders

• Broad knowledge of information management and protection laws, regulations, and best practices

• Ability to balance innovation with risk management

Salary Information

NY Only: The estimated base salary range for this position is $325,000 to $375,000 at the time of posting.

The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. This role is exempt meaning it is not overtime pay eligible.

Simpson Thacher will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

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Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is committed to a collegial work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. The Firm prohibits discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, marital or partnership status, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or any other legally protected status. This Policy pertains to every aspect of an individual’s relationship with the Firm, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training and development, promotion, transfer, discipline, termination, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

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