Head, Investment

FWD Group; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance firm in Kuala Lumpur is seeking a Head of Investment to develop and execute its investment strategy. This role involves overseeing investment portfolios, managing external funds, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Ideal candidates should have at least 10 years of experience in investment management and a degree in Finance or related fields. Strong core investment knowledge and leadership skills are essential. The position contributes significantly to the company's capital deployment and strategic objectives.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in investment management.
• Strong core investment knowledge in asset classes and portfolio theory.
• Knowledge in insurance and asset-liability management regulations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute investment strategy aligned with financial goals.
• Oversee investment portfolios and manage external fund managers.
• Implement strategic investment plans and monitor market conditions.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and internal policies.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Degree in Finance, Economics or related fields

Job description

FWD Group (1828.HK) is a pan‑Asian life and health insurance business serving roughly 34 million customers across 10 markets, including BRI Life in Indonesia. The company’s customer‑led, tech‑enabled approach delivers innovative, easy‑to‑understand products and a simpler insurance experience. Established in 2013, FWD Group operates in some of the fastest‑growing insurance markets worldwide and is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the code 1828.

FWD Technology and Innovation Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (FWD TIM), founded in late 2019 and located in Kuala Lumpur, supports the Group’s shared‑service functions—information security, cloud operations, IT solutions delivery, digital and data, actuarial, finance, investments, and customer service—driving operational excellence, innovation and regulatory compliance across all business functions.

Purpose

As Head of Investment, you will develop and execute the company’s investment strategy, aligning it with long‑term financial objectives, risk appetite and regulatory requirements.

Your responsibilities include overseeing investment portfolios, managing external fund managers, maintaining robust asset‑liability management and contributing to overall business growth via strategic capital deployment.

Key Accountabilities

Investment Performance & Strategy

• Maximize risk‑adjusted return through dynamic tactical asset allocation while ensuring compliance.
• Evaluate portfolio returns relative to risk and regulatory capital charges.
• Optimize asset allocation to enhance capital efficiency and meet liability‑driven objectives.
• Ensure liquidity sufficiency while pursuing yield enhancement.
• Monitor and adjust exposures based on market conditions, macroeconomic signals and valuation.

Capital Utilization Effectiveness

• Maximize risk‑adjusted return through dynamic tactical asset allocation while ensuring compliance.
• Evaluate portfolio returns relative to risk and regulatory capital charges.
• Optimize asset allocation to enhance capital efficiency and meet liability‑driven objectives.
• Ensure liquidity sufficiency while pursuing yield enhancement.
• Monitor and adjust exposures based on market conditions, macroeconomic signals and valuation.

Strategic Investment Execution

• Implement initiatives for diversification, income enhancement and risk management.
• Execute strategic investment plans aligned with long‑term portfolio goals.
• Identify and act on opportunities to broaden the investable asset universe through market research and innovation.
• Ensure timely implementation of approved investment initiatives with clear accountability.
• Track progress and effectiveness of diversification and income‑generating strategies.

Governance & Risk Management

• Streamline monitoring process and establish clear communication channels for risk.
• Design and maintain dashboards and tools for real‑time investment monitoring.
• Establish thresholds and triggers for risk alerts across asset classes and portfolios.
• Facilitate timely escalation and resolution of investment‑related risks.
• Collaborate with risk and actuarial teams to align monitoring with enterprise risk appetite.

Regulatory & Governance Oversight

• Maintain compliance with financial regulations and internal governance policies.
• Ensure investment activities comply with regulatory frameworks.
• Maintain documentation and audit trails for governance and reporting purposes.
• Support internal and external audits with timely and accurate investment data.

People & Knowledge Development

• Build team capabilities, accountability and leadership pipeline.
• Mentor and coach team members to enhance technical and strategic competencies.
• Promote a culture of ownership, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Identify and develop future leaders through structured development plans.

• Strengthen education and communication to share market insights.
• Conduct regular knowledge‑sharing sessions on market trends and investment themes.
• Develop internal publications or briefings to disseminate insights across departments.
• Encourage continuous learning through training, certifications and external engagement.

Key Performance Indicators

• Investment performance & strategy (50%)
• Governance & risk management (25%)
• People & Knowledge Development (25%)

Internal / External Stakeholders

• Finance (internal)
• Actuarial (internal)
• Product (internal)
• Distribution (internal)
• Risk & Compliance (internal)
• Board of Directors (internal)
• Group Counterpart (internal)
• External Fund Managers (external)
• Regulators (external)

Decision Making

The Head of Investment is expected to have significant input into the company’s overall investment decisions, including setting strategic asset allocation and tactical allocation for all investment portfolios, asset‑liability management and risk mitigation, appointment of external managers and onboarding of investment‑linked funds, regulatory compliance and governance, as well as business strategy and capital allocation.

Qualifications / Experience

• Degree in Finance, Economics or related fields.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in investment management.

Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Core investment knowledge in asset classes such as fixed income, equities and alternatives, and solid understanding of portfolio theory, macroeconomic analysis and valuation techniques.
• Insurance & ALM knowledge including regulatory frameworks.
• Regulatory & risk management skills.
• Leadership and strategic skills such as stakeholder engagement, cross‑function collaboration and strategic thinking.

Competencies

• Strong stakeholder management.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail.