Head of Data Science & AI Strategy

AIA Digital+; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

AIA Digital+ in Malaysia seeks a seasoned leader to head Data Science & AI, turning opportunities into scalable AI products. You will shape the DS&A roadmap, coach specialists, and ensure governance, production readiness and measurable outcomes across analytics and GenAI initiatives.

This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on direction, partnering with Technology, Risk, and business units to drive adoption and sustained business impact in a regulated insurance environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, AI, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering or related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of experience across data science, ML, AI engineering or advanced analytics with leadership experience.
• Delivery of AI or analytics products from discovery through production and adoption.
• Strong Python and SQL; ability to guide designs without being the primary developer.
• Knowledge of GenAI architecture (LLMs/SLMs, RAG, vector search, chatbots, agentic workflows).
• Experience partnering with enterprise Tech, security, data and risk in regulated environments.
• Executive-level communication, business consulting, prioritisation and stakeholder management.
• Vendor management, budgeting, and portfolio trade-offs.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a diverse data science and AI team with clear standards and delivery accountability.
• Own the unit strategy, capability roadmap and delivery portfolio for advanced analytics, GenAI and Agentic AI.
• Translate business needs into responsible AI products with measurable outcomes from discovery to production and monitoring.
• Forge durable partnerships with business users, Technology, Architecture, Cybersecurity, Risk and external partners.
• Ensure governance, documentation and support for reliable, sustainable production use.
• Collaborate to assess AI solutions with potential partners, gather feedback and refine designs.
• Drive prototype development and evaluate solutions to streamline operations across the company.
• Provide leadership in data modelling and data source refinement when new data is required.

Skills

People leadership

Python

SQL

GenAI architecture

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Vendor management

Budgeting

Problem framing

Education

Bachelor/Master degree in Data Science or related

Tools

APIs

Containers

DevSecOps practices

Job description

AIA Digital+ in Malaysia seeks a seasoned leader to head Data Science & AI, turning opportunities into scalable AI products. You will shape the DS&A roadmap, coach specialists, and ensure governance, production readiness and measurable outcomes across analytics and GenAI initiatives.

This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on direction, partnering with Technology, Risk, and business units to drive adoption and sustained business impact in a regulated insurance environment.