Senior Manager - AI Assurance
Professional Services, Consulting
Minimum Requirements
- 12+ years of experience in technology assurance, risk, governance, or related advisory fields — with at least several years focused on AI, data, advanced analytics, or model risk.
- Proven track record in business development and senior client relationship management.
- Strong understanding of AI governance, risk, and control frameworks, with familiarity (or practical exposure) to: ISO/IEC 42001
- NIST AI RMF
- Responsible AI principles
- King IV
- Cloud and AI platform risks (Azure/OpenAI, AWS, GCP)
- SOC / ISAE assurance standards
- Hands‑on knowledge of AI/ML concepts sufficient to contextualise risk and assurance activities (not implementation-focused).
- Professional certifications such as CISA, CRISC, CDPSE, CISSP , or AI‑focused governance/risk certifications are advantageous.
- Prior experience in a Big 4 or similar professional services environment is preferred.
- Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and leadership capabilities.
- Living our Purpose - Acts as a role model, embracing and living our purpose and values, and recognizing others for the impact they make.
- Talent development - Develops high-performing people and teams through challenging and meaningful opportunities.
- Performance drive - Delivers exceptional client service; maximizes results and drives high performance from people while fostering collaboration across businesses and borders.
- Influence - Influences clients, teams, and individuals positively, leading by example and establishing confident relationships with increasingly senior people.
- Strategic direction - Understands key objectives for clients and Deloitte, aligns people to objectives and sets priorities and direction.
Responsibilities
- Drive business development efforts to grow Deloitte’s AI Assurance practice in South Africa and support broader Africa Member Firm needs.
- Originate and shape new AI governance, risk, and assurance opportunities across industries.
- Build and maintain strong executive‑level relationships with C‑suite leaders, boards, audit committees, and risk stakeholders.
- Represent Deloitte as a market thought leader on AI governance, responsible AI, and assurance over AI systems and models.
- Contribute to go‑to‑market strategies, thought leadership, and industry engagements focused on safe and trustworthy AI adoption.
- Lead complex assurance engagements across AI governance, AI risk management, AI controls assurance, model risk management, and responsible/ethical AI.
- Conduct readiness assessments and assurance over regulatory‑aligned frameworks (e.g., EU AI Act‑aligned controls, local regulatory expectations).
- Oversee design and execution of assurance methodologies for AI systems, including controls testing, governance evaluation, documentation review, and risk assessments.
- Ensure that assurance solutions remain aligned with leading standards and frameworks such as: ISO/IEC 42001 (AI Management System)
- NIST AI Risk Management Framework
- King IV / emerging King V
- SOC 1 / SOC 2 / ISAE 3402 where applicable
- Coordinate closely with technology implementation teams (who handle design/build work) to ensure clear separation of assurance and implementation services.
- Deliver high‑quality, risk-based, and value-driven outcomes for clients that address trust, transparency, fairness, robustness, and accountability in AI systems.
- Bring innovative thinking around the use of automation and analytics to enhance assurance delivery.
- Build, mentor, and lead a growing AI Assurance team, developing capability from a lean foundation into a scalable, high-performing unit.
- Foster a culture of excellence, inclusion, curiosity, and continuous learning — with a focus on emerging AI risk and governance skills.
- Collaborate with regional and global Deloitte teams to leverage leading practices, methodologies, and accelerators.
- Provide coaching, performance management, and technical guidance to practitioners at all levels
