Director, Automation

About the Role

The Director of Automation provides strategic leadership in defining, securing stakeholder alignment for, and executing AIA’s automation strategy across Cloud, Infrastructure, Network, and Security domains. This role is pivotal in transforming the current operating model by embedding automation into core IT processes. The incumbent collaborates closely with Group Information Security and various functions within Group IT Operations to ensure the strategy is aligned across related domains and supports necessary process changes. Additionally, the role partners with architecture governance and solution architecture teams to guide, influence, and implement automation strategies consistently across the Group.

• Envisions and leads strategic transformation of IT operations through automation, driving innovation, efficiency and scalability across infrastructure, cloud and platform services.
• Leads the design and engineering of automation solutions across the infrastructure domain, encompassing both business-as-usual (BAU) operations and implementation teams. Oversees the DevOps platform and IT4IT tools teams to ensure cohesive, scalable, and secure automation practices.
• Own the engagement with Group teams (GIS, Cloud Operations, IPC etc) and Business Units to articulate the future state of IT operations enabled by automation. Clearly communicates the impact on operating processes and the evolving skills set required, fostering alignment and readiness across stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Group functions (GIS, Cloud, Networks etc) to gather requirements, integration points and hand offs, maintain up-to-date automation specifications. Ensures seamless integration with security tools, logging, monitoring and testing platforms while driving process optimization where needed.
• Work closely with the ServiceNow ITSM team to ensure that automation-enabled processes remain compliant with IPC and ITSM standards, supporting operational integrity and governance.
• Provide guidance to Business Units on development and enhancement of DevSecOps practices, ensuring alignment with enterprise automation strategy and secure software delivery principles.
• Define, publish, maintain automation strategy roadmaps. Oversees the execution of operating plan, ensure alignment with business objectives and timely delivery of automation initiatives.
• Translates complex technologies, concepts and programs into clear, business-relevant language for senior management. Acts as a key influencer in technical decisions that have long-term strategic impact on the organization.
• Leads automation engineering team in developing metrics and scorecards that promote industry best practices. Uses data-driven insights to influence technology teams and continuously improve automation maturity across the enterprise.
• Support Director Group IT Ops in communicating the automation strategy and securing approval from key stakeholders including Group CTO, RCTO, BU CTOs, Group Head of IT Ops, and Group CISO.
• Defines, publishes, and maintains up-to-date automation standards, ensuring consistency, scalability, and alignment with enterprise architecture and operational requirements.
• Engages with senior management and cross-functional teams to stay aligned with strategic objectives. Facilitates knowledge sharing and collaboration across departments, enhancing cross-functional processes and programs. Builds and strengthens key internal and external relationships to support automation initiatives.
• Develops both short- and long-term strategies and plans for automation-related products and services, ensuring alignment with business goals, technology roadmaps, and operational priorities.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative frameworks with suppliers and partner organizations to co-design and deliver automation solutions aligned with AIA’s strategic vision. Provides leadership and architectural guidance to ensure consistency and innovation across engagements.
• Contributes to technology selection and standardization by defining and implementing standard design patterns / templates. Leads, manages and participates in proof-of-concept initiatives to validate and promote innovative automation solutions; defines, runs, participates in and manages proof of concepts.

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Job requirements are not listed in this description. Please review the posting for details.

Company Benefits

We offer a range of wellbeing tools and programmes to help you think well, feel well, plan well and live well.

Opportunities for career growth

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Diverse team culture

It's our differences that make us better together. We empower you to be your best and make a difference in your own unique ways.

Do you believe in helping shape a better, more sustainable future? As the largest listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, we've been proudly making a difference for people and communities across Asia for over a century. And we build on this every day with our ambition to engage one billion people to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives by 2030.

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