Head, Information Technology

PROFESSIONAL INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES PTE LTD; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing financial advisory firm in Singapore is seeking a Head of IT to lead the end-to-end technology strategy and execution. The ideal candidate will have 10-15 years of IT experience and a strong background in regulatory compliance within the insurance or fintech sectors. You will be responsible for implementing innovative tech infrastructure, enhancing digital platforms, and ensuring cybersecurity protocols. This position offers an opportunity to significantly impact the development of digital insurance experiences.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10-15 years of IT experience, with 3-5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record in launching and scaling digital platforms.
• Strong knowledge of MAS TRM, PDPA, and AML/KYC compliance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a 3-5 year IT strategy aligned with business goals.
• Lead design and integration of core systems and digital platforms.
• Build and maintain a strong cybersecurity framework in compliance with regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Cybersecurity

Cloud technology

Communication

Regulatory compliance

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

DevOps

Job description

As Head of IT at a fast-growing financial advisory firm, you will lead the end-to-end technology strategy, execution, and governance. This role is pivotal in building a secure, scalable, and modern tech infrastructure that supports digital insurance experiences for both agents and customers. You will drive innovation in digital platforms, enforce robust cybersecurity and compliance with Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) regulations, and ensure technology aligns with the business vision of a data-driven, customer-first insurance company.

Overview

Key responsibilities and expectations for leading the technology function in a regulated, growth-focused environment.

Responsibilities

1. Technology Strategy & Innovation

• Develop and execute a 3-5 year IT strategy and roadmap aligned with business and regulatory goals.
• Drive adoption of cloud-native technologies, AI, automation, and data analytics to enhance agent and customer experiences.
• Continuously evaluate and implement emerging technologies relevant to digital insurance and insurtech innovation.

2. Digital Platforms & Core Systems

Lead the design, development, and integration of:

• Core policy administration systems (PAS)
• CRM and customer self-service platforms
  • Claims management and underwriting systems
  • Data and analytics platforms (BI tools, data lakes)
• Ensure API-driven integration with third-party service providers (e.g. reinsurers, payment providers, regulatory bodies).
• Deliver intuitive, responsive digital channels (e.g. mobile apps, customer portals, adviser dashboards).

3. Cybersecurity & Regulatory Compliance

• Build and maintain a strong cybersecurity framework in alignment with MAS Technology Risk Management (TRM) Guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with PDPA, MAS insurance regulations, and internal risk management standards.
• Partner with compliance/legal to support audit readiness, AML/KYC infrastructure, and data privacy protocols.

4. Data Strategy & Analytics

• Implement a centralized, secure data architecture to enable real-time and predictive insights across operations.
• Promote data-driven decision-making using tools like dashboards, predictive models, and risk scoring algorithms.
• Ensure data quality, governance, and security across all systems.

5. Leadership, Culture & Execution

• Build and lead a lean, high-performing IT team (software development, infrastructure, security, data), possibly scaling in stages.
• Cultivate an agile, collaborative culture between IT, product, operations, and compliance.
• Own IT budgeting, vendor management, and oversee outsourcing or SaaS agreements as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10-15 years of progressive IT experience, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role within insurance, fintech, or regulated startups.
• Proven track record of launching and scaling digital platforms in a startup or high-growth environment.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance (MAS TRM, PDPA, AML/KYC) relevant to Singapore's insurance sector.
• Hands-on experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, or GCP), modern APIs, DevOps, and cybersecurity best practices.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Visionary and pragmatic technology leader with strong business acumen.
• Expertise in insurance technology, cybersecurity, and cloud-based platforms.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Agile mindset with a bias for action and comfort in ambiguity.
• Strong vendor negotiation and management skills.

Preferred Certifications (Nice to Have)

• CISSP / CISM (Security)
• AWS / Azure / GCP Cloud Certifications
• PMP / Agile or Scrum Certifications
• TOGAF / ITIL