Last Updated: February 17, 2026 URL: /careers/ai/ai-governance-administrator/ Category: Careers > AI Tags: entry-level, operations, background-admin, background-project-mgmt
Role Overview
The AI Governance Administrator is the operational foundation of the AI governance function and the most accessible entry point into this career ecosystem. Where the AI Compliance Manager builds governance frameworks and the CAIO sets strategy, the Administrator executes controls, manages workflows, maintains documentation, and keeps the governance machinery running day to day.
The exact title “AI Governance Administrator” is rare in current postings. The market uses AI Governance Analyst (the most common entry-level equivalent), AI Governance Coordinator, Privacy and AI Governance Analyst, AI Governance Specialist, AI Governance Associate, Responsible AI Program Coordinator, and AI Governance Project Manager. Regardless of title, the function is the same: operational governance support that enables the compliance, audit, and ethics functions to operate effectively.
Cisco places its AI Governance Analyst listing within the legal team. Most organizations house the role within compliance/risk management, legal, or dedicated AI governance functions. The role is cross-functional by nature, partnering with data science, legal, compliance, and IT security teams (ZipRecruiter).
The industry distribution mirrors the broader AI governance market: professional services (51%), technology (15%), financial services (9%), IT services (8%), consumer/retail (6%), plus healthcare, government, insurance, and energy (Axial Search). 72% of roles are at companies with 10,001+ employees. Junior roles represent only 3% of current postings per Axial Search, though this is expected to shift as the field matures and organizations build out governance teams below the senior level.
A critical accessibility factor: 40% of junior AI governance postings do not specify formal education requirements (Axial Search). Combined with the AIGP’s lack of an experience prerequisite, this creates a genuinely viable entry pathway for career changers.
Career Compensation Ladder
The verified range for the AI Governance Administrator is $75K to $120K (Updated 20-Role Table, ZipRecruiter, IAPP 2025-26 Salary Report).
Entry-level and Administrator (0 to 3 years): $75,000 to $95,000. AI Governance Coordinator, Responsible AI Program Coordinator, and entry-level AI Governance Analyst roles. This is where the career begins for most professionals entering AI governance without prior senior-level experience.
AI Governance Analyst (2 to 5 years): $80,000 to $150,000. The IAPP 2025-26 Salary Report places the range at $80,000 to $150,000 for AI governance professionals at this tier. ZipRecruiter reports a 25th-to-75th percentile of $84,500 to $139,500.
Single-domain AI governance professionals: $151,800 median (IAPP 2025-26 Salary Report). This represents professionals who have specialized entirely in AI governance.
Dual-domain professionals (privacy plus AI governance): $169,700 median (IAPP 2025-26 Salary Report). Adding privacy credentials to AI governance expertise commands a measurable salary premium, making the AIGP plus CIPP combination especially strategic.
Glassdoor reports an average of $242,041 for “AI governance” roles, but this figure is heavily skewed toward senior positions and does not reflect the Administrator/Analyst entry point.
Career progression compensation: AI Governance Administrator/Coordinator ($75K to $95K) to AI Governance Analyst ($80K to $120K) to AI Governance Manager ($120K to $200K) to Sr. Director/Head of AI Governance ($180K to $250K+) to VP AI Governance or Chief AI Officer.
What You Will Do Day to Day
At the junior and administrator level, the focus is operational rather than strategic. You execute the governance processes that more senior roles design and oversee.
Daily activities include executing privacy assessments and information rights processes for AI systems, managing governance project workstreams, maintaining and updating AI inventories and registries, tracking compliance status across AI initiatives, preparing governance reports and dashboards, coordinating AI review processes, supporting governance committees (meeting preparation, documentation, minutes), managing governance workflow tickets, collecting and organizing audit evidence, monitoring AI usage for policy violations, processing AI use case intake requests and routing them to appropriate reviewers, and documenting AI systems’ compliance with regulatory frameworks.
This is coordination-intensive, documentation-heavy work that rewards organizational ability, attention to detail, and the capacity to work across teams. The skills required overlap significantly with project management, executive assistance, and compliance coordination, which is what makes adjacent professionals strong transition candidates.
Tools used daily. OneTrust (privacy management, AI governance modules, regulatory change tracking; recognized in the 2025 Gartner Market Guide for AI Governance Platforms). Credo AI (purpose-built for AI governance: AI Registry, Policy Packs for EU AI Act/NIST RMF/ISO 42001, automated risk assessment, model cards; customers include Microsoft, Amazon, Mastercard, and Databricks; Gartner 2025 Market Guide Representative Vendor). IBM OpenPages (enterprise GRC, named Leader in 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant). ServiceNow GRC. Microsoft Purview for data governance and AI usage monitoring. Jira, Confluence, SharePoint, Teams, and Slack for project coordination.
Skills Deep Dive
The AI Governance Administrator requires a blend of organizational proficiency, governance framework knowledge, and enough technical AI literacy to be effective in a cross-functional environment.
Technical skills center on GRC and governance platforms: OneTrust, ServiceNow GRC, IBM OpenPages, Archer, MetricStream, AuditBoard, Credo AI, Holistic AI, IBM watsonx.governance, and Microsoft Purview. Documentation tools include model cards, impact assessments, and compliance documentation templates. Project management tools (Jira, ServiceNow, Confluence, SharePoint) and analytics/reporting (dashboard creation, compliance metrics, risk scoring) complete the technical toolkit. Coding is not required at this level.
Process skills include policy implementation and tracking, compliance monitoring and reporting, governance workflow management, audit trail maintenance, AI inventory and registry management, risk assessment coordination, and regulatory change tracking.
AI governance-specific competencies cover AI use case identification and classification, risk tiering of AI systems (high-risk versus limited risk per EU AI Act categories), impact assessments (algorithmic and data protection), model documentation and model card creation, AI system registration and inventory management, governance committee support and coordination, and regulatory mapping.
Knowledge architecture. Primary knowledge requirements include governance frameworks (NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001, EU AI Act, GDPR), risk assessment basics, regulatory compliance fundamentals, AI lifecycle understanding, data governance concepts, and policy administration. Degree fields requested in postings include Computer Science (29%), Data Science (22%), Information Systems (7%), Engineering (6%), and Law (6%) per Axial Search, though again, 40% of junior postings skip degree requirements entirely.
Certifications That Move the Needle
Only 12% of AI governance postings request specific certifications (Axial Search), but certifications directly correlate with salary premiums. The IAPP reports that 77% of surveyed professionals hold at least one IAPP certification and 39% hold multiple.
IAPP AIGP. $799 non-member, $649 member (IAPP Store). No prerequisites. 100 multiple-choice questions in 2.75 hours. 20 CPE credits every 2 years. $250 certification maintenance fee (waived for IAPP members). This is the single most impactful certification for this role because it has no experience barrier and is globally recognized. For career changers, the AIGP creates credibility that compensates for a non-traditional background.
IAPP CIPP/US or CIPP/E. $550 exam fee (IAPP Store). The most requested certification in AI governance job listings. Privacy focus. Adding CIPP to AIGP creates the dual-domain combination that commands the $169,700+ median salary.
IAPP CIPM. $550 exam fee. Privacy program management focus. Valuable for the program coordination aspects of the Administrator role.
ISACA CRISC. $575 to $760 (ISACA). 20 CPE per year. Risk and information systems control. Strong for governance roles with a risk management emphasis.
PMP. $405 to $555 (PMI). 60 PDUs every 3 years. Project management certification, valued for coordination-heavy governance roles where managing workstreams across teams is the primary function.
CompTIA Data+. Entry-level data foundation. Useful for candidates transitioning from non-technical backgrounds who need to demonstrate data literacy.
Learning Roadmap
Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1 to 3). Andrew Ng’s “AI for Everyone” on Coursera (widely recommended starting point, free). Microsoft’s “Generative AI for Beginners” (free on GitHub). AI Strategy and Governance by Wharton (Coursera). AI Governance by Oxford Said Business School (Coursera).
Phase 2: Framework knowledge (Months 3 to 6). Study the NIST AI RMF (free at nist.gov). Learn ISO/IEC 42001 standard requirements. Study EU AI Act provisions (phasing in through 2027). BlueDot Impact AI Governance Course (25-hour cohort-based, focuses on frontier AI governance). AIGP Certification Masterclass by Dr. Kyle David (Udemy, 19+ hours, updated for 2026 BoK v2.1, affordable).
Phase 3: Certification (Months 6 to 9). Primary recommendation: IAPP AIGP (no prerequisites). Alternative: CompTIA Data+ for non-technical backgrounds. Complementary: CIPP/US or CIPP/E for privacy angle.
Phase 4: Hands-on experience (Months 6 to 12). Volunteer for your organization’s AI governance committee. Contribute to open-source AI governance projects. Build an AI governance portfolio (model cards, risk assessments, policy drafts, a one-page AI Governance Controls Map). Participate in governance working groups.
Communities and networking. IAPP (largest privacy/AI governance community, 60+ countries, conferences, webinars, 400+ free CPE opportunities). ISACA (185,000+ members, 230+ chapters). 80,000 Hours for AI governance and policy career guidance. BlueDot Impact alumni network. LinkedIn groups on AI governance and responsible AI.
Career Pathways
From zero (6 to 15 months). This is the most accessible entry point into AI governance. Build foundational AI knowledge through free online courses (Coursera, GitHub). Study governance documentation standards, compliance reporting, and audit trails. Learn key frameworks (NIST AI RMF, EU AI Act, ISO 42001). Choose an industry focus (healthcare, finance, government). Pursue AIGP certification (no experience required, $649 to $799). Apply for entry-level AI Governance Analyst or Coordinator roles. Timeline estimate: 6 to 9 months to build knowledge, 9 to 15 months to transition (Tech Jacks Solutions).
From adjacent roles. Compliance analysts transfer by adding AI basics and the AIGP. IT governance analysts add AI/ML knowledge and the AIGP. Project coordinators leverage process management and stakeholder coordination by adding governance and AI knowledge. Data governance analysts add AI-specific governance to existing data management expertise. Privacy professionals add the AIGP to existing IAPP certifications and earn a median of $169,700+ (IAPP). Administrative and executive assistants leverage organization, documentation, and committee support skills by adding governance and compliance knowledge.
Career progression. AI Governance Administrator/Coordinator ($75K to $95K) to AI Governance Analyst ($80K to $120K) to AI Governance Manager ($120K to $200K) to Sr. Director/Head of AI Governance ($180K to $250K+) to VP AI Governance or Chief AI Officer. Per Axial Search: junior professionals execute controls, mid-level leaders build frameworks, senior executives define strategy.
Experience requirements by level. Junior roles (3% of postings): approximately 3 years minimum, though the AIGP’s lack of an experience requirement makes it a viable entry point for those with 0 to 2 years. Mid-level roles (85% of postings): approximately 5 years. Senior roles (12% of postings): approximately 11 years (Axial Search).
Market Context
The AI Governance Administrator occupies a unique market position: moderate current demand but the highest growth ceiling of any entry-level AI governance role. The IAPP reports 98.5% of organizations need more AI governance professionals, and as organizations build out governance teams, operational staff will be the bulk of new hires. Current postings are heavily weighted toward mid-level and senior positions (85% per Axial Search), but this reflects the early-stage market rather than the long-term hiring profile.
The PwC 2025 AI Jobs Barometer confirms a 56% wage premium for workers with AI skills. At the Administrator level, this premium manifests as significantly higher compensation than traditional governance or administrative roles with comparable experience levels.
Resume expectations include knowledge of governance frameworks, familiarity with GRC tools, understanding of AI/ML concepts (coding ability is not required), documentation and reporting samples, cross-functional collaboration experience, and relevant certifications. The AIGP is the single strongest signal on a resume at this level, demonstrating both knowledge and professional commitment.
The window for entry is exceptionally favorable. Organizations building AI governance programs are often starting from scratch, which means early hires have outsized influence on how governance is implemented. For career changers from compliance, IT governance, project management, data governance, privacy, or administrative backgrounds, the combination of transferable skills plus AIGP certification positions candidates ahead of the market’s maturation curve.
Related Roles
Professionals interested in AI Governance Administrator roles may also explore:
- AI Compliance Manager (the natural next step, building frameworks rather than executing them)
- AI Policy Analyst (regulatory research and policy development, similar entry accessibility)
- AI Ethics Officer (ethical guardrails, also entry-level accessible for candidates with ethics/philosophy backgrounds)
- Data Governance Manager (AI) (if your background is in data management and you want to stay close to data)
Source Verification Notes (Internal, Do Not Publish)
Verified against project data:
- Salary range $75K–$120K: matches Updated_20_Role_Table_Ready_To_Paste.md
- Demand level “Moderate”: matches 20-Role Table
- Entry-level accessible: “Yes” confirmed in 20-Role Table
- Background fit (Admin/Project Mgmt): matches 20-Role Table
Verified via web search (this session and prior sessions):
- Axial Search data (3% junior, 85% mid-level, 40% skip degree requirements, 72% enterprises 10K+): CONFIRMED from axialsearch.com
- AIGP pricing and no-prerequisite: CONFIRMED from IAPP Store and multiple sources
- IAPP 77% hold certification, 39% hold multiple: Doc A cites IAPP 2025-26 Report
- IAPP single-domain median $151,800: Doc A cites IAPP 2025-26 Report
- IAPP dual-domain median $169,700: Doc A cites IAPP 2025-26 Report
- Credo AI customers (Microsoft, Amazon, Mastercard, Databricks): Doc A Section 4
- OneTrust and IBM OpenPages Gartner recognition: Doc A Section 4
- Dr. Kyle David AIGP Masterclass on Udemy: CONFIRMED this session, updated for 2026 BoK v2.1
- Microsoft Generative AI for Beginners on GitHub: Real resource, widely referenced
Sourced from research docs (Doc A primary):
- Title variations and market positioning: Doc A Section 1
- Organizational placement (Cisco listing): Doc A Section 1
- Salary data with IAPP, ZipRecruiter, TechJacks attribution: Doc A Section 1
- Degree field percentages: Doc A Section 2
- Skills and tools: Doc A Sections 3-4
- GRC platform details (OneTrust, Credo AI, IBM OpenPages): Doc A Section 4
- Certification details: Doc A Section 5
- Learning roadmap phases: Doc A Section 6
- Career pathways and timelines: Doc A Section 7
- Experience requirements: Doc A Section 8
Items to verify before publication:
- Cisco AI Governance Analyst listing at jobs.cisco.com should be re-checked for current availability
- Credo AI customer list should be verified directly (may have changed since Doc A)
- BlueDot Impact AI Governance Course format (25-hour cohort-based) should be confirmed
- IAPP 2025-26 Report specific figures ($151,800, $169,700 medians) should be verified against the actual report
