Associate Director, Solutions Portfolio Lead
AIA Group · Kuala Lumpur
Innovate and shape what comes next.
At AIA, your expertise, perspective and ideas can help us become a faster, simpler and more connected organisation while contributing to our Purpose of helping millions of people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. Across our diverse markets, you will take on real-world challenges, collaborate with talented colleagues and turn technology, data and bold ideas into simpler experiences, smarter solutions and positive outcomes for our customers and communities.
Join us to create what comes next, grow through new experiences and extend your impact across Asia.
About the Role
This role is responsible for driving strategic alignment and governance across the technology portfolio, ensuring delivery excellence through program oversight, financial stewardship, stakeholder engagement, and customer satisfaction.
This role leads cross-functional teams to execute product roadmaps, foster innovation, and promote continuous improvement, while mentoring talent and championing agile practices to deliver business value.
The role is accountable for the end-to-end ownership, management, and maintenance of technology assets supporting the assigned business portfolio, while leading the development of a high-performing team.
Roles & Responsibilities
15% - Strategic Planning
- Formulate and determine the long- and mid-term strategic plans of the unit, aligning with technology, business functions, and company objectives
- Drive continuous improvement across the technology portfolio under his/her purview
- Participate in IT leadership forums and engagements, ensuring key messages are cascaded to the team
- Engage and influence business stakeholders in planning sessions to align IT delivery and support
30% - Portfolio Management
- Plan, manage, and optimize portfolio investment funding in alignment with the portfolio backlog
- Co-own business and technology OKRs for the portfolio
- Oversee total cost of ownership for technology operating costs within the portfolio
- Lead change management, communication, and reporting (e.g., #OneView) for stakeholders
- Chair Big Room Planning sessions for portfolio review and prioritization
- Define the optimal number of workstreams for delivery
- Manage, negotiate, and influence relationships with senior leadership (inter- and intra-division) to ensure consistent delivery of solutions
- Manage relationships with vendors, business partners, and Group IT to provide delivery flexibility
20% - Product Management
- Drive business case development and approvals, aligned with product backlog and focused on maximizing ROI and cost-benefit outcomes
- Oversee workstream planning, financial management, and product stability
- Develop and maintain the product roadmap (quarterly focus)
- Prioritize backlog items based on evolving business needs
- Manage third-party vendors supporting product delivery
- Ensure business and functional requirements are translated into effective system solutions
- Plan and optimize resourcing across product managers and engineering teams to support delivery
15% - Delivery Management
- Provide direction and decision-making to ensure clarity on product direction and avoid delays or misalignment
- Review and accept deliverables from the team
- Continuously refine the product backlog based on changing business needs and customer feedback
- Manage and optimize operating costs and capital expenditure
20% - People Development & Management
- Attract, develop, and retain high-quality talent to build sustainable strategic and operational capabilities
- Set clear direction and goals, translating these into actionable outcomes for the team
- Develop leaders and high performers through effective learning and development initiatives
- Promote strong process discipline and a quality-driven mindset
- Optimize resource planning and utilization to meet business demands
- Coach and mentor team members in both technical and soft skills
- Drive team performance and individual development plans aligned with strategic objectives
Job Requirements
- Value Creator: Ability to align enterprise strategic direction with digital platform roadmaps, leveraging data and insights to deliver fit-for-purpose solutions.
- Value Creator: Ability to lead through ambiguity and adapt effectively in complex environments.
- Business Operator: Strong resilience and commitment to high standards, with the ability to navigate challenges and drive outcomes.
- People Developer: Ability to inspire trust and followership through influence, credibility, and passion.
- Education: Bachelor's Degree / Masters in IT or equivalent from an accredited institution.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in portfolio/ product management, with 8–10 years of supervisory experience in relevant IT domains.
- Proven experience in software delivery lifecycle with strong project management discipline.
- Strong presentation and documentation skills using Microsoft Office tools.
- Solid experience in IT project execution, including system application and technology implementation.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders across all levels (internal and external).
- Innovative mindset with the ability to synthesise data to drive improvements in technology solutions.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Domain knowledge in insurance, with experience in product or campaign delivery.
- Ability to work independently, with high self-motivation.
- Strong team player, able to collaborate effectively with peers and stakeholders.
#LI-DNI
Build a career with us as we help our customers and the community live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.
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