Associate Director, Data Platform (Application Development)

AIA Shared Services; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

AIA Singapore is seeking a senior engineering leader to shape the engineering strategy, build scalable platforms, and drive best-in-class practices across several development teams. You will lead the adoption of cloud-native architectures on Azure with microservices and containerization, partnering with stakeholders to deliver digital solutions that accelerate transformation.

The role requires deep hands-on experience, strong architectural thinking, and the ability to mentor managers and senior

Qualifications

• 12+ years total experience with 10+ years hands-on software development in Java, Python, microservices, SQL and cloud-native tech.
• 8+ years of engineering leadership leading multiple technical teams or large-scale orgs.
• Proven experience designing and delivering enterprise-grade systems with high scalability, performance, and availability.
• Strong architectural mindset with ability to guide direction and influence cross-functional stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the engineering roadmap aligned with AIA Singapore’s digital and data strategy.
• Design scalable, secure architectures on Azure leveraging microservices, containers and APIs.
• Oversee delivery across multiple engineering teams to meet timelines and quality.
• Governance, DevOps and security controls to ensure reliability, compliance, and operational excellence.

Skills

Java

Python

Microservices

SQL

Kubernetes

Azure Cloud

Cloud-native development

Engineering leadership

Architectural thinking

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in IT/CS/Engineering

Tools

Azure Cloud

Job description

At AIA we’ve started an exciting movement to create a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone. As pioneering innovators for over 100 years, we’re now transforming our organisation to be faster, simpler and more connected. Because we want to be even better equipped to develop digital solutions and experiences that help more people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. To get there, we need people with tech/digital/analytics expertise and passion to help develop positive, sustainable change through digitally enhanced experiences that will impact the lives of millions of people and create a healthier future for everyone. If you believe in developing a better tomorrow, read on.

About the Role

The incumbent is responsible for shaping AIA Singapore’s engineering strategy, building scalable and secure application platforms, and driving best-in‑class engineering practices across multiple development teams. This role manages multiple engineering teams delivering enterprise applications built using modern platform using Java, Python, SQL/Postgres/MS SQL, Kubernetes, deployed as microservices on Azure Cloud. The ideal candidate should bring deep hands‑on engineering expertise, strong architectural thinking, and the ability to lead and grow technical teams. The incumbent will partner closely with Technology, Product, AIA Group teams, and business stakeholders to deliver digital solutions that accelerate AIA’s transformation journey.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Strategic Leadership

Define and drive the engineering roadmap aligned with AIA Singapore’s digital and data strategy. Design scalable, secure, high-performance application architectures leveraging cloud-native engineering on Azure. Establish engineering governance, coding standards, DevOps practices, and quality controls to ensure security, availability, and operational excellence. Stay current with emerging technologies and proactively introduce modern engineering capabilities (microservices, containerization, APIs, DevSecOps, data engineering practices, etc.).

Delivery Ownership

Oversee delivery of complex, mission‑critical applications across 5 engineering teams. Collaborate with AIA Group, Technology teams, and Product Managers to define, plan, and execute the technology roadmap. Ensure teams deliver high-quality, scalable and maintainable solutions within agreed timelines. Remove blockers, optimize engineering processes, and drive continuous improvement in speed, stability, and reliability.

Stakeholder Collaboration

Serve as primary point of contact for business units, translating outcomes to measurable deliverables (SLAs, KPIs, timelines). Drive prioritization and backlog management across multiple squads, balancing regulatory deadlines, business demand, and technical debt. Champion data product thinking—clearly defined ownership, contracts, SLAs, versioning, and standardized documentation (API specs, data dictionaries).

Governance Risk and Compliance

Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks (e.g., MAS TRM, cyber hygiene, records retention), audit readiness, and evidence collection. Own access management and API policy governance (rate limits, quotas, consumer onboarding, keys, secrets).

Operational Excellence

Define and monitor SLAs for system availability, performance, and reliability. Implement automation and monitoring solutions to ensure efficient operation and minimal downtime. Oversee capacity planning, mange budget, forecasting costs, optimizing platform usage and infra resources and cost optimization of infrastructure.

People leadership

Build and lead a high‑performing team (platform engineers, leads, API developers). Foster a culture of customer focus, accountability, and continuous improvement; mentor managers and senior ICs. Develop talent pipelines, succession plans, and partner strategies (vendors, SIs, managed services).

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE

• Degree from a recognized University in Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or equivalent.
• 12+ years of total experience in which 10+ years of hands‑on software development experience with strong proficiency in Java, Python, Microservices architecture, SQL & relational database design, Kubernetes & containerization, Cloud-native development and 8+ years of engineering leadership experience managing multiple technical teams or large‑scale engineering organizations.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering enterprise‑grade systems with high scalability, performance, and availability.
• Strong architectural mindset with the ability to guide technical direction and make informed engineering decisions.
• Ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders across business, technology, and group teams.
• Experience in coaching and developing engineering managers and senior engineers.
• Insurance/financial services experience is a plus but not mandatory.
• Highly technical and hands‑on when necessary; able to engage deeply with engineers on architecture, design, and code‑level challenges.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to motivate and inspire high‑performing teams.
• Growth mindset and willingness to continuously learn and adopt new technologies.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills.
• Passionate about building sustainable engineering culture, not just managing projects.

Build a career with us as we help our customers and the community live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. You must provide all requested information, including Personal Data, to be considered for this career opportunity. Failure to provide such information may influence the processing and outcome of your application. You are responsible for ensuring that the information you submit is accurate and up-to-date. "Better" starts with people who reimagine what is possible and turn ideas into meaningful action. At AIA, you will contribute in your own way, help shape outcomes that matter and collaborate with colleagues across disciplines, teams, markets and levels. We will support you to broaden your perspective, strengthen your capabilities and grow your impact. Together, we challenge assumptions, learn from one another and find better ways forward. Bring your ambition, experience and ideas to AIA, and help shape what “better” looks like.