Head of Planning & Performance Management

Zurich Insurance; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 240,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Zurich Insurance in Malaysia seeks a seasoned Finance leader to manage organizational expenses across multiple units. You will guide a team of analysts, shape corporate financial policy, and provide strategic decision support to senior leadership.

Responsibilities include budgeting, forecasting, governance, and data-driven cost optimization. Candidates should have 12+ years in financial analysis, plus MBA or CPA preferred. Kuala Lumpur-based role with strong stakeholder collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 12+ years in financial analysis and reporting.
• Experience managing budgets and company disbursements.
• Experience with analysis, risk evaluation, forecasting trends and enforcing pecuniary policies.
• Experience with policy and compliance regulations and ISO standards.
• Experience managing fiscal tools, models, reports and budgets.
• Project management experience.
• People management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and enhancement of expense policies enterprise-wide.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, accounting and expense management activities.
• Partner with senior stakeholders, delivering advanced financial modelling and business cases.
• Ensure timely, accurate financial information and executive reporting.
• Analyze expense performance, trends, and benchmarks to identify opportunities.
• Maintain governance and internal controls for financial integrity.
• Lead and develop high-performing finance teams.
• Drive operational excellence by standardizing and optimizing processes.
• Champion data quality, automation and STP improvements.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Forecasting

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Policy compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA preferred

CPA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Financial modelling tools

Job description

Job Summary

Leads the management of all expenses across multiple business/strategic support units for the organization. Leads and directs a staff of financial analysts in monitoring and analyzing expenses enterprise wide. Formulates and manages corporate financial policy and plans for the organization.

Job Summary

Leads the management of all expenses across multiple business/strategic support units for the organization. Leads and directs a staff of financial analysts in monitoring and analyzing expenses enterprise wide. Formulates and manages corporate financial policy and plans for the organization.

Job Accountabilities - Key Accountabilities

• Lead the development, evaluation, and continuous enhancement of expense management policies, recommending improvements to senior leadership and ensuring effective implementation across the business.
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, accounting, and expense management activities, providing comprehensive financial reporting and analysis to support business objectives.
• Serve as the primary finance business partner for strategic initiatives, delivering advanced financial modelling, business cases, insights, and decision support to senior stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and consistent delivery of financial information, management reports, and executive reporting, supported by actionable commentary and recommendations.
• Analyze expense performance, market trends, and industry benchmarks to identify risks, opportunities, and cost optimization initiatives that drive business value.
• Maintain strong governance and internal control frameworks, ensuring compliance, financial integrity, and effective execution of key financial controls.
• Lead and develop high-performing finance teams, including talent acquisition, workforce planning, coaching, and capability-building to strengthen organizational effectiveness.
• Drive operational excellence by overseeing finance operations, resolving complex issues, and collaborating with stakeholders to standardize, optimize, and enhance finance processes and operating models.
• Champion data quality, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives to improve reporting accuracy, streamline workflows, and increase Straight Through Processing (STP) efficiency.

Job Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelors Degree and 12 or more years of experience in the Financial Analysis area and Reporting area
• Experience managing business models that align with budgets and company disbursements
• Experience with analysis, risk evaluation, forecasting economic trends and enforcing pecuniary policies and guidelines thr oughout the company
• Experience with policy and compliance regulations, ISO standards and federal edicts
• Experience managing fiscal tools, models, reports and reviewing, analyzing budgets and performing financial analysis
• Project management experience
• People management experience

Preferred:

• Insurance industry experience
• MBA, CPA
• Experience building and maintaining internal and external business relationships
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

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.

Let’s continue to grow together!

• Location(s): KLEC