Associate Director, Underwriting Technical Excellence & Innovation

aia; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

AIA invites an Associate Director to lead Underwriting Technical Excellence & Innovation across markets. You will set governance, drive AI-enabled underwriting, and embed Gen AI/Agentic AI to modernize processes, with a strong focus on customer experience, efficiency and risk control.

You will collaborate with Group and local teams to shape product design, data standards and operational transformation. Fluent English and Mandarin preferred; 15+ years in underwriting with leadership experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline.
• 15+ years of underwriting experience.
• Experience integrating acquisition/Buy strategies into operations.
• Experience with AI, Gen AI and Agentic AI in underwriting transformation.
• Data-driven approaches and behavioral science are valued.
• Strong project management and stakeholder influencing skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Fluency in English; Mandarin preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain governance frameworks for underwriting and new business across markets.
• Drive automation, predictive underwriting, and digital issuance leveraging AI and data analytics.
• Champion Agentic AI adoption with governance, ethics, and risk considerations.
• Partner with groups to embed Buy-related priorities into underwriting processes and product design.
• Provide project management leadership for underwriting transformation and Buy initiatives.
• Offer deep technical underwriting expertise for complex risk assessments and collaborations with reinsurers.
• Lead knowledge-sharing across markets to improve productivity and customer outcomes.
• Influence senior stakeholders to secure alignment for governance and innovation.

Skills

15+ years underwriting

Governance expertise

AI in underwriting

Stakeholder management

Project management

Communication skills

English & Mandarin

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Gen AI

Agentic AI

MS Office

Data analytics tools

Job description

About the Role

The Associate Director, Underwriting Technical Excellence & Innovation will serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in underwriting and new business, providing governance and driving innovation across allocated AIA markets.

This role combines technical excellence, governance and strategic enablement to deliver measurable improvements in customer experience, operational efficiency and risk management.

In addition, the role will champion innovative solutions and embed cutting‑edge technologies such as Generative AI and Agentic AI to enable scalable, future‑ready underwriting practices.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Define and maintain Group‑level governance frameworks for underwriting and new business, including data standards, process guidelines, and technology principles, ensuring compliance and alignment with strategic objectives across markets; monitor adherence and provide remediation plans where gaps exist.
• Drive automation, predictive underwriting, and instant digital issuance leveraging AI, Gen AI, and data analytics; identify and evaluate emerging technologies and Insurtech solutions for underwriting transformation and Buy integration.
• Champion Agentic AI adoption in underwriting processes, addressing governance, ethical, transparency, and risk mitigation concerns to ensure safe and effective implementation.
• Partner with Group and local teams to embed Buy‑related operational priorities into underwriting and new business processes; provide expert input on product design, risk management, and operational transformation strategies aligned with Buy objectives.
• Provide project management leadership for underwriting transformation and Buy‑related initiatives, ensuring timely delivery, stakeholder alignment, and adherence to Group standards.
• Offer deep technical underwriting expertise for complex cases and risk assessments when required; build strong partnerships with reinsurers and strategic partners to accelerate innovation while maintaining internal capability development.
• Lead knowledge‑sharing initiatives to build capability across markets and deliver measurable improvements in productivity, customer satisfaction, and Buy‑related growth metrics.
• Influence senior stakeholders at Group and local levels to secure alignment and support for governance, innovation, and Buy execution.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline
• 15+ years demonstrated experience in underwriting.
• Experience in integration of acquisition/Buy strategies into operational models highly regarded
• Experience in new business & underwriting transformation with AI, Gen AI and Agentic AI.
• Experience in data‑driven approaches, predictive underwriting and behavioural science would be highly regarded.
• Strong knowledge in all aspects of project management delivery / office disciplines
• Proven relationship‑building and influencing skills across senior stakeholders
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong interpersonal and influencing skills
• Highly proficient in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint). Fluency in English and Mandarin is preferred