Head of Innovation Lab

Monroe Consulting Group; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking an experienced Head of Innovation for a prominent financial institution in Kuala Lumpur. This role involves developing strategic roadmaps, overseeing product life cycles, and ensuring compliance with governance standards. Candidates should possess at least 10 years of relevant experience and be proficient in stakeholder engagement and project management. This position offers an opportunity for impactful contributions to the organization's innovation efforts.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in innovation, systems management, or digital transformation, preferably in financial services.
• Ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Innovation Lab's strategic roadmap.
• Manage the full product life cycle of internal systems.
• Define KPIs to measure innovation success and system performance.

Skills

Innovation management

Digital transformation

Project planning

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline

Job description

Executive recruitment company Monroe Consulting Group's Technology Division is partnering with a leading financial institution that is making its mark in the wealth and investment realm. Our esteemed client is seeking an experienced professional to be their Head of Innovation.

Job Responsibilities

Innovation Leadership

• Develop and execute the Innovation Lab's strategic roadmap aligned with company’s business goals.
• Foster a culture of experimentation, agility, and continuous improvement.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies and trends relevant to asset management.

Systems Ownership & Business Logic

• Oversee the architecture, functionality, and evolution of internal systems.
• Own and define the business logic embedded within these systems to ensure alignment with operational workflows, regulatory requirements, and client needs.
• Collaborate with IS development team, operations, and business units to ensure systems are scalable, secure, and future-ready.

Product Life Cycle Management

• Manage the full product life cycle of internal systems and digital solutions - from ideation, design, and development to go-live and post-launch enhancements.
• Lead cross-functional teams to gather requirements, prioritize features, and deliver high-impact solutions.
• Translate business requirements into system capabilities and user experiences.
• Continuously monitor system performance and user feedback to drive iterative improvements.
• Drive automation, data integration, and digital transformation initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a bridge between business/operations and technology teams, ensuring clear communication and shared understanding.
• Engage with external partners (e.g., vendors) to co-develop solutions.

Governance & Performance

• Define KPIs to measure innovation success and system performance.
• Manage Innovation Lab resources, budget, and talent.
• Ensure compliance with internal governance and regulatory standards.

Project & task management

• Work on various projects, as required.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned by Management.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and/or professional qualification in any relevant discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in innovation, systems management, or digital transformation, preferably in financial services.
• Highly motivated self-starter with the ability to work within a complex and often ambiguous environment.
• Ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.
• Passion for innovation, digital transformation, and operational excellence.
• Highly proficient in project planning, budgeting, and oversight.
• Possess strong presentation skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and technical acumen.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.