Associate Director, Product Management

AIA Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

AIA Malaysia is seeking a strategic leader to manage technology portfolios and drive excellence in program oversight and stakeholder engagement. This role requires a minimum of 8 years in portfolio management and 8-10 years of supervisory experience in relevant IT domains.

The candidate will lead cross-functional teams, manage technology assets, and promote continuous improvement. A solid IT background and strong analytical capabilities are essential. The position offers opportunities to develop talent and improve technology solutions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in portfolio/product management.
• Experience in IT project execution and technology implementation.
• Ability to work independently and motivated.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic alignment and governance across the technology portfolio.
• Manage and optimize portfolio investment funding.
• Attract, develop, and retain high-quality talent.

Skills

Strong communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders

Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Proven experience in software delivery lifecycle

Innovative mindset to drive improvements

Education

Degree in IT from an accredited institution

Tools

Microsoft Office tools

Job description

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 prioritisation
• 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 maximising ROI and cost-benefit outcomes
• Oversee workstream planning, financial management, and product stability
• Develop and maintain the product roadmap (quarterly focus)
• Prioritise 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 optimise 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 optimise operating costs and capital expenditure

20% - People Development & Mgmt

• 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
• Optimise resource planning and utilisation 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

Minimum 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
• Degree in IT from an accredited institution
• Minimum 8 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