Privacy (EMEA) & Governance Risk Compliance Lead

About xAI
xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All engineers are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.

In this role, you will:
Collaborate closely with engineering, product, sales, finance, and legal team members to drive past obstacles in the path of product successes.
Design privacy, governance, and compliance operations that make it as friction-free as possible to sell xAI’s incredible products.
Understand and mitigate privacy and governance risks.
Handle privacy, governance, risk and compliance operations.
Respond to customer privacy, security, and compliance questions.
Develop and maintain a robust governance framework to support xAI’s strategic objectives and ensure alignment with industry best practices.
Establish policies, procedures, and controls to guide compliant AI development, data usage, and corporate decision-making.
Partner with leadership to integrate governance principles into product development and operational processes.
Identify, assess, and prioritize risks related to AI operations, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property.
Design and implement risk mitigation strategies, including monitoring systems and contingency plans.
Conduct regular risk assessments and scenario analyses to proactively address emerging threats in the AI landscape.
Ensure adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and standards (e.g., data privacy laws like GDPR/CCPA, EU AI Act, and industry-specific requirements).
Monitor regulatory developments and advise leadership on their impact on xAI’s operations and product roadmap.
Oversee audits, certifications, and third-party assessments to maintain compliance and operational credibility.
Develop and deliver GRC training programs for employees to promote a culture of accountability and awareness.
Act as a subject matter expert, providing guidance to teams on risk and compliance matters.
Create and present regular reports on GRC performance, risks, and compliance status to senior leadership and stakeholders.
Leverage data and analytics to measure the effectiveness of GRC initiatives and drive continuous improvement.
Be a swiss army knife: pitch in with precision for anything needed in the privacy, legal, and compliance areas, even if it is unfamiliar.
This is an in-person role based in Dublin, Ireland that requires up to 25% travel.
Minimum qualifications:
10+ years of legal experience–ideally through a combination of experience at innovative technology companies in governance, risk management, or compliance.
Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business Administration, Information Security, or a related field (Master’s degree or relevant certifications like CISA, CRISC, or CGEIT preferred)
Proven expertise in regulatory frameworks, data privacy, and cybersecurity, preferably in a technology or AI-driven environment.
Familiarity with ISO 27001, NIST, SOC 2, or similar compliance frameworks.
Background in managing third-party risk or vendor compliance programs.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing cross-functional teams.
Be hungry to learn about the products and use cases the customers need.
Have the ability to quickly learn new technologies.
Have a strong sense of ownership, be inquisitive and enthusiastic about technology, enjoy being continually challenged, and consistently demonstrate sound judgment in navigating complex and ambiguous situations.
Have a love for problem solving.
Have great drive to get things done.
Have a lot of gas in the tank!
Must be committed to being in-office in Dublin, Ireland at least 3+ days/week.
Must have both a sense of adventure and a sense of humor.
Annual Salary Range
$160,000 - $220,000 Euros
Benefits

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at xAI, which also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.