AIA

Director of Group Innovation Engineering & Development

Shanghai Hongkou, CN - AIA Group Office Full time

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 Director of Group Innovation Engineering & Development role is responsible in leading the end-to-end research and development of critical AIA foundational, business product or solution.

This role is pivotal in shaping AIA’s technical vision, driving engineering excellence and delivering cutting-edge solutions that enable business transformation and sustainable growth.

Technical solution: 

  • Work with GIO Business Innovation Partnership team and leaders, GIO technical team, AIA Business Unit Technical leaders, Group Technology Office to define the technical architecture and roadmap of critical product and solutions 

  • Work with AIA Technology Shared Services (TSS) and external vendors to build high quality product and solutions 

  • Translate Business Requirements Documents (BRD) and Product Requirements Documents (PRD) into comprehensive Technical Requirements Documents (TRD) to ensure clarity and precision in execution.  

  • Establish and enforce engineering best practices, coding standards and quality assurance processes to maintain technical excellence. 

Product and Programme Management: 

  • Oversee product and project-level program management to ensure timely delivery, quality outcomes and alignment with strategic objectives 

  • Continuously improve development processes, tools and methodologies to enhance efficiency and adaptability. 

Team Management: 

  • Build and lead a high-performing team of specialists across data science, analytics, AI/GenAI, engineering and architecture. 

  • Lead agile teams to design, build, implement and scale GenAI-powered products and solutions. 

  • Manage and mentor team members within the team 

  • Foster a collaborative and innovative team culture 

  • Ensure effective communication and collaboration across teams to drive project success 

Stakeholder Engagement: 

  • Engage with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and successful execution of  

  • Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across teams 

  • Represent the engineering and development function in strategic discussions, influencing decisions with technical insights. 

Innovation Capability Development: 

  • Develop and implement AI/GenAI capability frameworks and talent development plans to strengthen organizational competencies. 

Communication Requirements:

Internal: 

Strategic Communication 

  • Ability to articulate technical vision and innovation strategy clearly to Group EXCO, BU EXCO and other relevant senior stakeholders. 

  • Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations on innovation roadmap, progress, and impact. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

  • Maintain open and transparent communication with:  

    • Across GIO Colleagues 
    • Business Unit CTOs and Technical Leads 

    • Group Technology and Operations 

External: 

Resource Planning 

  • Ability to engage and manage external vendors and partners for resource planning 

Minimum Job Requirements:

  • Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field 
  • Proven experience in Engineering management  

  • Demonstrated expertise in emerging technologies and their application in business  

  • Proven track record of success in R&D and deploying large-scale technology-driven transformations 

  • Ability to establish strategic partnerships with technology providers  

  • 20+ years of experience in technology and innovation roles 

  • Proven experience driving high-impact technology initiatives across complex, global organizations 

  • Strong leadership qualities, including presentation, influencing, and negotiation skills 

  • Understanding of the Chinese technology landscape is an asset 

  • Proficient in written and spoken English essential 

  • Proficient in written and spoken Chinese as asset 

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.