Job Overview:

The Head of AI & Digital, APAC IT is responsible for shaping and executing the AI, automation, and digital transformation agenda across Asia-Pacific. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, accelerating the adoption of AI solutions, modern digital platforms, and next-generation technologies to generate measurable business outcomes. Working closely with business stakeholders, technology teams, and external partners, the role will drive scalable innovation, strengthen digital capabilities, while ensuring compliance with enterprise architecture and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

AI Strategy & Execution

Define and execute the APAC AI strategy in alignment with global technology direction and regional business priorities.
Identify high-value AI use cases across underwriting, claims, fraud detection, customer engagement, and operations.
Lead hands-on prototyping, development, and deployment of AI/ML models, intelligent automation workflows, and generative AI solutions.
Build reusable AI components, frameworks, and best practices to scale solutions across markets.
Ensure AI governance, ethical standards, data security, and regulatory compliance across APAC jurisdictions.

Digital Transformation Leadership

Develop and drive the regional digital transformation roadmap, aligned with enterprise technology strategy.
Accelerate adoption of cloud-native applications, API-first architecture, low-code/no-code platforms, and workflow digitization.
Lead end-to-end delivery of digital products that enhance customer experience, operational efficiency, and speed-to-market.
Promote modernization initiatives including microservices, event-driven architecture, and scalable integration platforms.

Innovation & Emerging Technologies

Explore and evaluate emerging technologies such as generative AI, robotics, IoT, and advanced analytics for insurance applications.
Drive experimentation, proof-of-concepts, and innovation pilots to validate business value before scaling.
Establish innovation frameworks that balance agility with governance and risk management.

Ecosystem & Partnership Management

Build and manage partnerships with technology vendors, SaaS solution providers, InsurTechs, and innovation hubs.
Establish a strong digital ecosystem to enable seamless platform integration and scalable solutions.
Advocate API-driven and platform-based approaches to support long-term digital agility.

Stakeholder Engagement & Governance

Serve as the regional point of accountability for AI and digital initiatives.
Partner with business, operations, risk, and compliance teams to prioritize investments and manage delivery roadmaps.
Communicate strategy, progress, risks, and impact to APAC and global leadership.
Ensure clear metrics and KPIs are established to measure business outcomes and ROI.

Team Leadership & Capability Building

Lead and develop a multidisciplinary regional team of AI engineers, and digital transformation professionals.
Foster a high-performance, agile, and innovation-driven culture.
Build regional AI and digital capabilities through training, knowledge-sharing, and talent development initiatives.

Key Deliverables:

Development of regional AI & digital transformation roadmap aligned with business strategy and regional priorities.
Implementation of high-impact AI/GenAI use cases that deliver measurable business value.
Implementation of scalable digital platforms, APIs, and data-driven solutions to enhance customer and operational capabilities.
Seamless integration of AI and digital solutions with enterprise applications, data platforms, and cloud environments.
Oversight of AI governance for the region, ensuring responsible AI practices, regulatory compliance, and alignment with global IT standards
Successful implementation of change management, stakeholder engagement, and user enablement programs to drive AI and digital adoption across APAC

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field. A Master’s degree in a related field or an MBA is highly desirable.
Experience: At least 8-10 years of experience in AI, digital transformation, or innovation leadership roles, preferably in the insurance or financial services sector.
Strategic Skills: Proven track record of developing and executing digital transformation strategies that drive business results.
Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of AI/ML technologies and frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch). Proficiency in digital platforms and technologies, including cloud-native architecture, microservices, API-first design, container orchestration, and modern integration platforms.
Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with regional data privacy laws and regulations impacting AI and digital transformation in APAC (e.g., GDPR, PDPA).
Leadership Skills: Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with experience leading cross-functional teams and managing high-impact projects.

Sompo Asia Pacific jobs

Head of AI & Digital, APAC

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