Associate Director, Innovation House & Program Management

AIA Shared Services; Kuala Lumpur; Hybrid; MYR 280,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

AIA Shared Services in Kuala Lumpur is seeking an Associate Director, Innovation & Program Management to lead enterprise-scale innovation and transformative programs. You will drive data, analytics and AI initiatives to enable growth, efficiency, and cultural change across the organization.

Expect to guide cross-functional teams, partner with technology providers and academia, and ensure programs meet timelines, budgets and outcomes. Strong data engineering leadership is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• 12–15 years of experience in data engineering design and development, including people management
• Experience leading and providing technical guidance to data engineering team
• Proven ability to plan and manage end-to-end delivery of projects and work assignments
• Strong stakeholder management and business engagement skills
• Experience in requirement analysis with business stakeholders
• Hands-on experience in PL/SQL (Oracle), MS SQL, Informatica PowerCenter, Azure Databricks, Azure Data Factory, and Qlik Replicate; real-time ETL CDC
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Good understanding of the insurance business and distribution channel
• Able to work independently, self-motivated, and a strong team player

Responsibilities

• Innovation Strategy Development and Execution: define and implement the roadmap using data, analytics and AI to drive growth.
• Program Governance and Management: lead cross‑functional programs with governance, risk & budget control.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management: align execs, ops teams, and partners.
• Data‑Driven Decision‑Making: use analytics to identify opportunities and optimize processes.
• Change Management and Cultural Transformation: foster an innovation culture and upskill teams.

Skills

Data engineering

Analytics

AI technologies

Leadership

Stakeholder management

PL/SQL

Azure Databricks

Azure Data Factory

Informatica PowerCenter

Qlik Replicate

MS SQL

People management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Informatica PowerCenter

Azure Data Factory

Qlik Replicate

MS SQL

Oracle PL/SQL

Job description

At AIA we’ve started an exciting movement to create a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone. As pioneering innovators for over 100 years, we’re now transforming our organisation to be faster, simpler and more connected. Because we want to be even better equipped to develop digital solutions and experiences that help more people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. To get there, we need people with tech/digital/analytics expertise and passion to help develop positive, sustainable change through digitally enhanced experiences that will impact the lives of millions of people and create a healthier future for everyone. If you believe in developing a better tomorrow, read on.

About the Role

The Associate Director, Innovation & Program Management will serve as a senior leadership figure responsible for driving enterprise‑level innovation strategies and overseeing the successful management of transformative programs. This role demands exceptional strategic leadership to harness advanced technologies (Data, Analytics, and AI), enabling business growth, operational efficiencies, and the establishment of an innovation culture within the organization.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Innovation Strategy Development and Execution Define and implement the innovation roadmap aligned with corporate objectives and market trends. Leverage cutting‑edge technologies (Data, Analytics, and AI) to develop innovative policies, processes, and products that drive business growth. Foster partnerships with technology providers, startups, and academic institutions to unlock innovation opportunities.
• Program Governance and Management Lead cross‑functional teams in the planning, execution, and delivery of enterprise‑wide programs. Ensure programs meet timelines, budget requirements, and organizational objectives. Establish governance frameworks to manage program risks, quality, compliance, and performance metrics.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including executive management, operational teams, and external partners, to drive alignment and shared goals. Communicate program progress, innovation outcomes, and business impact effectively to diverse audiences.
• Data‑Driven Decision‑Making Utilize data analytics and insights to identify market opportunities, streamline operations, and enhance customer experience. Drive adoption of AI-enabled solutions to support predictive decision‑making and strategic foresight.
• Change Management and Cultural Transformation Champion an innovation‑driven culture that encourages creativity, experimentation, and continuous improvement. Support workforce upskilling in analytics, AI, and innovation methodologies.

Minimum Job Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field
• Minimum 12–15 years of experience in data engineering design and development, including people management experience
• Experience leading and providing technical guidance to data engineering team
• Proven ability to plan and manage end‑to‑end delivery of projects and work assignment
• Strong stakeholder management and business engagement skills
• Experience in requirement analysis and working closely with business stakeholder
• Hands‑on experience in PL/SQL (Oracle), MS SQL, Informatica PowerCenter, Azure Databricks, Azure Data Factory, and Qlik Replicate, with knowledge of CDC for real‑time ETL processing
• Solid experience in IT project delivery, including system implementation and technology deployment
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem‑solving skill
• Good understanding of the insurance business and its operations, including distribution channel
• Able to work independently, self‑motivated, and a strong team player

Build a career with us as we help our customers and the community live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.

"Better" starts with people who reimagine what is possible and turn ideas into meaningful action.

At AIA, you will contribute in your own way, help shape outcomes that matter and collaborate with colleagues across disciplines, teams, markets and levels. We will support you to broaden your perspective, strengthen your capabilities and grow your impact. Together, we challenge assumptions, learn from one another and find better ways forward. Bring your ambition, experience and ideas to AIA, and help shape what “better” looks like.