Associate Director, Transformation Office & Planning

FIND YOUR BETTER AT AIA

If you believe in better, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

The position is responsible to lead and oversee two critical governance functions: the Technology Project Management Office (PMO) and the Vendor & Contract Management. The role ensures that technology initiatives are delivered strategically, within governance and cost boundaries, and that vendor partnerships are managed efficiently, compliantly, and aligned with the regulatory expectations of the insurance industry (e.g., BNM RMiT, Outsourcing Policy).

Roles and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Strategy

• Lead, mentor, and develop PMO and Vendor Management team members, fostering a culture of governance, accountability, and service excellence.

• Establish integrated governance across both domains to ensure alignment between technology delivery, financial controls, and vendor performance.

• Represent both functions in internal governance forums, audits, risk committees, and regulatory reviews.

Technology PMO

• Oversee the implementation and operation of the technology project governance framework.

• Manage portfolio planning, project intake, prioritization, and resource allocation in alignment with business objectives.

• Ensure project delivery frameworks incorporate benefit realization planning, post-implementation value tracking, and lessons learned.

• Implement and monitor cost management controls including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis across initiatives.

• Facilitate portfolio and program steering committees, ensuring transparency, KPI tracking, and timely escalation of risks and issues.

• Promote agile and hybrid project delivery models where appropriate.

Vendor & Contract Management

• Lead the development and execution of a robust vendor governance and contract management framework, aligned with BNM RMiT and outsourcing guidelines.

• Oversee contract lifecycle management: from RFP, negotiation, onboarding, and SLA setup to renewals and exit planning.

• Maintain a central repository of contracts and ensure key clauses (renewals, performance obligations, termination rights) are tracked and acted upon.

• Drive regular vendor performance evaluations and ensure corrective actions are taken for underperforming vendors.

• Collaborate with Legal, Risk, Compliance, Procurement, and Finance to ensure end-to-end vendor compliance and cost efficiency.

• Support internal and regulatory audits involving outsourced technology services and vendors.

Capability Development & Continuous Improvement

• Mentor and develop project managers and PMO staff to build a high-performing team.

• Drive continuous improvement in project delivery practices, tools, and governance maturity.

• Promote a culture of accountability, agility, and strategic execution.

Minimum Job Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or related field.

• Project Management certification (PMP, PRINCE2).

• Proven experience in contract management or vendor governance

• 10+ years of experience in technology project governance, vendor management, or contract governance - at least 3 years in a leadership role.

• Experience in the insurance or financial services industry, with working knowledge of BNM's RMiT, Outsourcing Policy, and internal governance frameworks (e.g., COBIT, ISO 27001, ITIL).

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Excellent project financial and benefit tracking capabilities.

• Knowledgeable in third-party risk management and regulatory obligations.

• Skilled in contract analysis, negotiation, and performance remediation.

• High attention to detail, process discipline, and governance mindset.

• Proficient in PMO tools and platforms (e.g., ServiceNow PPM, MS Project, JIRA) and contract management systems.