Head of AI Risk Approvals and Portfolio Oversight

Head of AI Risk Approvals and Portfolio Oversight Head of AI Risk Approvals and Portfolio Oversight at Citi. This senior leadership role is at the forefront of Citi’s strategic evolution, accountable for providing independent oversight and authoritative approval for all AI use cases across the enterprise. It is the firm’s key second-line leader responsible for the risk posture of a vast and complex portfolio, ensuring that AI adoption is ambitious yet safe. The position is central to navigating the risks and opportunities of AI across 90+ countries, hundreds of products, and core enterprise processes, setting the standard for responsible AI adoption and balancing innovation with a strong commitment to risk management. Key Responsibilities Strategic Risk Leadership & Vision Act as the primary 2LOD approval authority for all AI use cases firm-wide, owning the aggregate risk posture of the AI portfolio. Set the strategic vision for AI risk management within the portfolio, ensuring frameworks are effectively implemented and aligned with Citi’s risk appetite. Champion an AI-first mindset by challenging existing processes and driving the re-engineering of workflows to unlock efficiency and simplicity. Independent Oversight & Credible Challenge Provide decisive, independent challenge on all AI initiatives, from strategy and design through execution and post-production monitoring, grounded in deep technical expertise. Leverage deep subject matter expertise in critical AI risk areas, including model fairness and bias, explainability, data privacy, AI security, LLMs, and Agentic AI, to assess and mitigate novel risks, ensuring all use cases are robust and compliant. Conduct thematic reviews to identify emerging risk trends and ensure the control environment remains effective as AI technology evolves. Governance, Execution & Continuous Improvement Drive the execution and continuous refinement of the AI Risk Management Framework, adapting processes to meet evolving technological and regulatory demands. Define, monitor, and report on Key Performance and Risk Indicators (KPIs/KRIs) to govern progress and ensure the realization of committed business value. Ensure governance frameworks are applied consistently across all teams and that changes to AI use cases are rigorously reviewed and approved throughout their lifecycle. Senior Stakeholder Engagement & Influence Serve as the primary AI risk advisor to senior leaders and business/function heads, articulating complex risk exposures to influence strategic decisions. Lead a high-performing team of senior risk professionals, fostering a culture of proactive partnership, expertise, and credible challenge. Represent Citi’s AI risk posture in key regulatory discussions and industry forums, contributing to thought leadership on responsible AI. Qualifications & Experience 15+ years of experience in a large, complex financial institution, regulatory body, or related field. A minimum of 10 years in a senior leadership role within risk management, audit, model governance, or technology risk, with direct experience in AI deployment and oversight. Demonstrated deep subject matter expertise in Artificial Intelligence, including current and emerging technologies and their specific risk implications within a financial services context. Proven track record of scaling large, complex AI or technology initiatives from concept through to production and continuous improvement. Proven ability to provide decisive, independent challenge to senior leadership and influence strategic outcomes in a principles-based manner. Demonstrated success leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams and driving change in a complex, global organization. A track record of operating effectively in high-pressure, fast-paced environments, demonstrating resilience and sound judgment under ambiguity. Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred. Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Salary range: $350,000.00 – $625,000.00 Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi. View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster. #J-18808-Ljbffr