---
title: 'Senior Data & AI Governance Specialist at Xero'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-data-ai-governance-specialist-xero-sydney-c2wr4dg2ry85'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-07'
---

# Senior Data & AI Governance Specialist at Xero

- **Company:** [Xero](https://feeny.ai/companies/xero)
- **Location:** Sydney, Australia
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-09-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/xero/3bd7a8c4-25c5-4c3d-829b-feea427ac753

## Job description

## The role and its impact

Xero is trusted by millions of small businesses and their advisors around the world. As a Senior Data & AI Governance Specialist, you will help shape how we manage data as a strategic asset and govern AI responsibly, so our teams can innovate with confidence and our customers can continue to trust us with what matters most. Reporting to the Director of Data & AI Governance, you will move well beyond traditional compliance to provide hands-on enablement services that bridge the gap between policy and practice. This is a role where you will partner with teams across the business to co-design pragmatic data and AI governance approaches that tackle real-world challenges like bias, transparency, and explainability. You will advise decision-makers on where to set governance guardrails so that Xero teams are empowered to experiment and build safely, consistent with our Responsible Data Use Commitments. The team and how they connect You will join the Data & AI Governance team, which sits within Xero’s Legal function. The team works closely with Product, Privacy, Security, Regulatory, Risk, and Government Relations to ensure data and AI practices across the business are robust, responsible, and deliver customer trust. Together, you will build governance that is both rigorous and genuinely useful for the teams relying on it. Initially, the role will focus on

- Evolving Xero’s privacy, data and AI governance frameworks to enable rapid, responsible data use and AI adoption and deployment across the business
- Partnering with cross-functional teams to translate governance policies and requirements into practical, user-friendly guidance at scale and support their adoption
- Delivering high-impact literacy programmes and tailored educational resources that uplift data and AI capability across Xero
- Working with Regulatory, Privacy, and Risk functions to keep Xero ahead of evolving legislation and customer expectations in the data and AI space

Where and how you can work This role is open to candidates based in Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, or Wellington, with fully remote working also available for candidates within three hours of the AEST time zone across Australia and New Zealand. Xero offers flexible and hybrid working arrangements. For hybrid team members, our boost days bring the team together in person for connection and collaborative work, with the rest of the week flexible to suit how you work best. Here are some of the things we’re looking for

- You bring deep knowledge of data governance frameworks and practices, including experience setting up stewardship models, governance forums, and supporting tooling such as data catalogues and data quality platforms
- Your recent hands-on experience in AI governance means you can confidently understand AI systems, and navigate the ethical, regulatory, and operational challenges of responsible AI at scale
- You have worked with engineers and other technical experts, giving you technical depth in areas like data architecture, quality and lineage and hands on experience bridging policy and technical implementation
- Translating complex regulatory and policy requirements into clear, actionable guidance for diverse audiences is something you do well and enjoy - you are comfortable explaining governance concepts to technical SMEs, and technical concepts to policy stakeholders
- Colleagues describe you as someone who builds trust quickly, communicates with clarity, and has the courage to raise and work through difficult topics
- Familiarity with regulations such as GDPR, the EU AI Act, and CCPA, and certification frameworks such as ISO 27001/SOC2 strengthens your approach to governance design
- A growth mindset and a genuine drive to Go Further means you are always looking for ways to automate, improve, and share what you learn with the people around you

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.

## About Xero

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Xero provides cloud-based accounting and financial management software for small businesses, serving over 4.9 million customers worldwide.
- **Entity Type**: Public (ASX: XRO, S&P/ASX 200 component)
- **Headquarters**: Wellington, New Zealand
- **Founded**: July 6, 2006
- **Founders**: Rod Drury, Hamish Edwards

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Cloud accounting software (SaaS)
- **Target customers**: Small businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers (B2B)
- **Mission**: To make life better for small businesses globally by automating routine tasks and delivering actionable insights.

## Products & Services
- **Xero Accounting Software**: Cloud-based platform for invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense tracking, payroll, and financial reporting. Sold by subscription (Starter, Standard, Premium tiers).
- **JAX – AI Finance Partner**: An AI-powered assistant integrated into Xero that automates routine tasks and provides insights to help businesses grow.
- **Xero Ecosystem**: Over 1,000 third-party app integrations via the Xero App Store, covering payments, inventory, CRM, and more.
- **Xero for Nonprofits**: Discounted subscriptions (25% off) for eligible nonprofit and community organisations.
- **Xero for Purpose**: Social impact initiatives including financial literacy programmes (Unlock Your Numbers), sustainability tools (Sumday carbon app), and the Xero Beautiful Business Fund (NZ$750,000+ in funding annually).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed in provided sources (publicly traded with market cap available on ASX; latest data not included in search results).
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue NZ$2.103 billion (FY2025); Net income NZ$227.8 million (FY2025).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Board Chair David Thodey; CEO Sukhinder Singh Cassidy. In June 2025, Xero announced an agreement to acquire Melio, a New York-based payments provider, for $2.5 billion.
- **Growth Signals**: Achieved Rule of 40 outcomes of 41.0% (May 2024) and 43.9% (Nov 2024). Customer base grew to 4.9 million. Headcount of 4,610 employees (2025). Expanding globally with offices in New Zealand, Australia, UK, US, Canada, South Africa, and Singapore.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Market leader** in cloud accounting across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.
- **AI-first approach** with JAX, embedded directly into the core product to reduce manual work.
- **Extensive integration ecosystem** (1,000+ apps) creating high switching costs for customers.
- **Strong brand trust** built over 19 years with a focus on small business success.

## Strategic Focus
- **AI and automation**: Deepening AI capabilities (JAX) to deliver predictive insights and automate finance workflows.
- **Payments expansion**: Acquisition of Melio to strengthen payments capabilities for small businesses.
- **Sustainability**: Reducing carbon emissions (72% reduction in scope 1 & 2), offering free carbon accounting tools, and supporting small business sustainability.
- **Social impact**: Scaling programmes like the Beautiful Business Fund and financial literacy initiatives.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Values-driven, human-centric organisation with a focus on making a tangible impact on small businesses globally.
- **Flexibility**: Emphasises a flexible environment and time for what matters most (remote/hybrid policy not explicitly stated but implied).
- **Perks & benefits**:
  - One paid day off per year for volunteering (Community Connect programme).
  - Free access to Sumday carbon accounting app for employees.
  - Financial literacy resources and mentorship programmes.
- **Engineering & innovation**: Dedicated Engineering and Data & AI teams (open roles visible on careers page). Global collaboration across 7+ countries.
- **Diversity & inclusion**: Indigenous inclusion initiatives (te ao Māori in NZ, Reconciliation Action Plan in Australia), support for Indigenous communities.
- **Sustainability focus**: Employees can contribute to environmental goals through company-wide initiatives.

## Sources
1. [Wikipedia – Xero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xero)
2. [Xero About Page](https://www.xero.com/au/about/)
3. [Xero Careers – Inside Xero](https://careers.xero.com/inside-xero/)
4. [Xero Careers – Teams](https://careers.xero.com/)
5. [Xero Homepage](https://www.xero.com/)

## Other roles at Xero

- [Customer Experience Specialist - Melio](https://feeny.ai/job/customer-experience-specialist-melio-xero-manchester-0apnfjtyx359) — Manchester, United Kingdom
- [Engineering Manager - Cloud Networks](https://feeny.ai/job/engineering-manager-cloud-networks-xero-melbourne-8gqw69bv1r7w) — Melbourne, Australia
- [Lead Engineer - Front End (React)](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-engineer-front-end-react-xero-wellington-9sjxsd4a6d13) — Wellington, New Zealand
- [Senior Engineer - AI Platform](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineer-ai-platform-xero-melbourne-wy84yt8bba9z) — Melbourne, Australia
- [Financial Accountant](https://feeny.ai/job/financial-accountant-xero-wellington-0bjk26repmzk) — Wellington, New Zealand
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- [Solutions Consultant](https://feeny.ai/job/solutions-consultant-xero-brisbane-rj5t374ksh02) — Brisbane, Australia
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