Head of Investment Assurance

Zurich Insurance; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Zurich Insurance in Kuala Lumpur seeks an experienced assurance professional to lead first-line governance for Investment Management, identifying control gaps and ensuring policy adherence. You will engage with risk, compliance, internal audit, and legal teams to strengthen controls and support senior management.

The role requires a minimum of 7 years in investment, risk, compliance, or audit, with knowledge of Bloomberg Compliance and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of relevant working experience in investment, risk, compliance, audit, or a related field.
• Experience in using Bloomberg Compliance functions.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong understanding of BNM and/or SC regulatory requirements and investment knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead the establishment and ongoing improvement of the first-line governance architecture to strengthen control effectiveness.
• Provide strategic advisory to address assurance challenges and identify control gaps.
• Monitor investment limits and escalate breaches to stakeholders until closure.
• Perform attestation on group and regulatory guidelines and policies.
• Maintain Bloomberg Front Office Systems and compliance rules.
• Prepare periodic and ad-hoc reports for Committees and senior management.
• Promote a strong control mindset and risk-aware culture; train the team quarterly.
• Liaise with Risk, Compliance, Internal Audit, Legal and regional assurance functions.

Skills

Strategic advisory

Stakeholder management

Controls and risk

Bloomberg Compliance

Regulatory knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/ Economics/ Law

Tools

Bloomberg Compliance

Job description

Objective

Leads the first-line assurance activities across Investment Management functions to identify, assess, and mitigate risks, as well as to establish and implement controls, ensuring the adherence to the established policies and procedures. This role supports the CIO in providing strategic advisory, oversight, and practical solutions to address assurance‑related challenges. This includes the engagement with multiple stakeholders including the control functions (second‑line and third‑line) as well as regional office.

Key Accountabilities

• Provides strategic advisory to address assurance‑related challenges, including identification of control gaps, policy interpretation, while supporting effective decision‑making of senior management.
• Demonstrates strong proactiveness in identifying potential gaps and driving them to resolution.
• Leads the establishment and ongoing improvement of the first‑line governance architecture to strengthen control effectiveness and operational accountability.
• Performs assurance activities including but not limited to gap analysis, attestation on group and regulatory guidelines and policies, and oversight of investment activities to ensure adherence to internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Daily monitoring of the investment limits and restrictions violation(s). Ensures timely investigation and escalation to stakeholders where appropriate, and follow-through until closure.
• Periodic review of internal policies and procedures, including Investment Policy, Investment Mandates Standard, Investment Guidelines, Risk Appetite Statements, ALMIC charters, and other procedures.
• Accountable for the maintenance of Bloomberg Front Office Systems, including but not limited to setting, testing, monitoring of compliance rules (CMGR, BTCA).
• Promotes a strong control mindset and risk‑aware culture in Investment Management, including providing quarterly team training on governance matters.
• Maintains proper documentation, and acts as a key contact for Investment Management on assurance matters with the control functions such as Risk, Compliance, Internal Audit, Shairah, Legal and other regional and group assurance functions.
• Proactively monitors and highlights the latest developments from financial markets, products, and regulatory guidelines to ensure ongoing compliance with the latest requirements.
• Prepares periodic and ad‑hoc reports to the relevant Committees, senior management, and regional / group offices.

Requirements

• Degree in Legal, Finance, Investment, Economics, Actuarial Science, Accounting, or an equivalent or higher qualification.
• Professional qualifications such as CFA, ACCA, CPA, FRM would be an added advantage.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant working experience in investment, risk, compliance, audit, or a related field, preferably in the insurance and finance industry.
• Experience in using Bloomberg Compliance functions.
• Strong analytical skills, high self‑motivation, excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong understanding of BNM and/or SC regulatory requirements, and knowledge of financial markets, products and investment structures.
• Confident to elevate issues when necessary.
• Demonstrates curiosity and hands‑on interests to understand how processes actually operate on the ground.
• Treats controls and risk management as part of business excellence rather than compliance.
• Able to challenge assumptions, decisions, and practices in a respectful, non‑confrontational manner.

At Zurich we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity and Inclusion. We want you to bring your whole self to work we have a diverse mix of customers, and we want our employee base to reflect that.

Our diversity and inclusion initiatives are creating an environment where everyone feels welcome regardless of protected characteristics.

With the above in mind, we accept applications from everyone regardless of your background, beliefs, or culture.

We are committed to continuous improvement, and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities. Zurich is passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity.

So, make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us.

You are the heart & soul of Zurich!

At Zurich, we like to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. We take an optimistic approach by focusing on the positives and constantly asking What can go right? We highly value the experience and know‑how of our employees and offer a wide range of opportunities across business areas to encourage you to apply for new opportunities within Zurich when you are ready for your next career step. We’re proud to have earned Great Place To Work® Certification™. Our company culture is our top priority! #GPTWcertified

Let’s continue to grow together!

Location(s): MY - Kuala Lumpur

Schedule: Full Time

Recruiter name: Jesreena Kaur