Senior Data & AI Governance Specialist

The role / impact

Reporting to the Director of Data and AI Governance, you will be a vital part of evolving how Xero manages data as a high-value strategic asset. You will bridge the gap between policy and execution, providing internal enablement services that help teams navigate complex ethical challenges like bias and transparency while ensuring our innovation remains consistent with our Responsible Data Use Commitments.

Your work will empower teams to innovate safely by providing pragmatic advice and building governance guardrails that support rapid adoption of new technologies. By proactively remediating quality issues and enhancing data discoverability, you will help maintain the hard-earned trust of our customers and partners as the global regulatory landscape continues to change.

The team / how they connect

You will join a Legal team that operates as a trusted partner across the entire organisation. The team focuses on a collaborative, human approach to governance, meeting the business in the middle to find creative solutions that balance speed with responsibility.

The team is currently working on / Initially, you will focus on

• Implementing a new data stewardship model to clarify roles and responsibilities across the business.

• Scaling our AI governance playbooks and building new standards for data anonymisation and quality.

• Partnering with technology teams to implement data governance initiatives, including policy, process, and tooling improvements to ensure data is discoverable and high-quality.

• Rolling out a professionalised enablement service to help internal teams translate global policies into technical environments.

Where and how you can work

Xero supports a flexible, hybrid working model that balances office-based collaboration with the focus of remote work. You will have access to our modern office spaces for community-building activities and boost days, allowing you to connect with your peers while maintaining a work-life balance that prioritises wellbeing.

Here are some of the things we are looking for

• You bring a deep understanding of data governance frameworks and have a proven track record of rolling out successful stewardship programs.

• Your communication style is polished and authoritative, allowing you to pitch complex ethical or technical concepts to senior leadership with confidence.

• You possess a pragmatic, problem-solving mindset and enjoy finding lateral ways to navigate challenges rather than relying on a rigid compliance approach.

• Background in delivering high-quality, stakeholder-focused enablement.

• You have experience translating global regulations and ethical requirements into user-friendly guidance that teams can actually implement at scale.

• Technical curiosity is part of your toolkit, meaning you feel comfortable facilitating discussions between engineers and non-technical stakeholders.

Apply even if your experience isn't a perfect match! At Xero, we hire based on your skills, passion, and the unique perspective you can bring to enhance our culture and team.