About the role

Aplyr's Quick Take

This role is about managing a large-scale transformation project focused on integrating AI and data analytics into underwriting processes for life and health insurance. It's a senior-level position that requires strong program management skills and the ability to work with various stakeholders across different regions.

Good fit

Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in program management, particularly in insurance or financial services, and a solid understanding of underwriting processes. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential for navigating complex stakeholder relationships.

Worth noting

The role involves significant cross-regional collaboration, which may appeal to those looking for a global impact. However, the spec is vague on day-to-day responsibilities, which could lead to uncertainty in the role's expectations.

Prudential’s purpose is to be partners for every life and protectors for every future. Our purpose encourages everything we do by creating a culture in which diversity is celebrated and inclusion assured, for our people, customers, and partners. We provide a platform for our people to do their best work and make an impact to the business, and we support our people’s career ambitions. We pledge to make Prudential a place where you can Connect, Grow, and Succeed.

We are seeking an exceptional Program Manager to lead our Life and Health Underwriting AI & Technology Transformation Program based in Kuala Lumpur Office. This is a high-impact role responsible for orchestrating a complex, multi-year transformation initiative that will fundamentally reshape how we assess risk, price policies, and deliver value to customers across Asia and Africa.

The successful candidate will drive the integration of AI-powered underwriting processes, advanced data analytics, and automation technologies across multiple business units, markets, and stakeholder groups. This role requires a unique combination of technical acumen, program management excellence, stakeholder leadership, and deep understanding of life and health insurance underwriting operations.

Program Strategy & Leadership

Lead end-to-end program management for the underwriting transformation initiative across multiple markets and business units in Asia and Africa

Develop and maintain comprehensive program roadmaps, milestones, and success metrics aligned with Prudential's strategic objectives

Define program governance frameworks, decision rights, and escalation pathways to ensure effective oversight and rapid issue resolution

Translate business strategy into actionable technology and data transformation initiatives

Champion change management and drive organizational adoption of AI-powered underwriting processes across traditional underwriting teams

Serve as the primary point of accountability for program delivery, timeline adherence, budget management, and outcomes realization

Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner and coordinate with leads and SME from Underwriting, AI, Technology, Data, Analytics, Compliance, Risk from Group and local business units to align and deliver the transformation priorities

Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders within group and local business units.

Facilitate executive steering committee meetings and prepare comprehensive program status reports for senior leadership and executive committees

Manage relationships with technology vendors, system integrators, and AI solution providers

Technology & AI Implementation Oversight

Oversee the design, development, and deployment of AI-powered underwriting systems leveraging machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics

Drive integration of real-time data from available sources from within Prudential and external sources

Ensure seamless integration with existing policy administration systems, underwriting and claims platforms, and enterprise data infrastructure

Establish automated underwriting workflows that balance straight-through processing with manual underwriting for complex cases

Champion adoption of advanced risk assessment models that improve pricing accuracy, reduce turnaround times, and enhance customer experience

Monitor emerging AI technologies and industry best practices to maintain competitive advantage

Risk, Compliance & Governance

Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks including technical dependencies, resource constraints, regulatory compliance, and organizational change resistance

Ensure all AI models and data usage comply with regulatory requirements, data protection laws (PDPA, GDPR), and ethical AI principles

Establish model governance frameworks including validation, monitoring, bias detection, and explainability requirements

Coordinate with Legal, Risk, and Compliance teams to address regulatory considerations across multiple jurisdictions

Implement audit trails and documentation standards to support transparency and accountability

Manage cybersecurity and data privacy considerations throughout the transformation lifecycle

Program Delivery & Execution

Develop detailed program plans including work breakdown structures, resource allocation, budget forecasts, and dependency management

Lead cross-functional project teams comprising technology developers, data scientists, underwriters, business analysts, and change management specialists

Establish agile delivery frameworks that enable iterative development, rapid testing, and continuous improvement

Monitor program progress against KPIs including delivery milestones, budget adherence, quality standards, and business value realization

Conduct regular program reviews, identify bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions to keep initiatives on track

Manage program budget (expected range: USD 10-30 million) ensuring optimal resource utilization and ROI

Business Value & Continuous Improvement

Define and track business outcomes including underwriting cycle time reduction, straight-through processing rates, new business improvements and customer satisfaction gains

Establish baseline metrics and conduct post-implementation reviews to quantify transformation impact

Drive continuous optimization of AI models based on performance data, customer feedback, and market dynamics

Build capability roadmaps to sustain transformation momentum beyond initial implementation

Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and data-driven decision making across underwriting teams

Document lessons learned and best practices for knowledge transfer and future transformation initiatives

Requirements:

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, Actuarial Science, or related field required

Master's degree (MBA, MSc in Data Science, or equivalent) strongly preferred

Professional certifications such as PMP, PgMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, or equivalent highly valued

Experience

Minimum 10-12 years of progressive experience in program/project management, with at least 5 years in leadership roles managing complex, multi-stakeholder technology transformation programs

Minimum 3-5 years of experience in life and health insurance operations, with deep knowledge of underwriting processes, risk assessment, and relevant platforms and technologies

Proven track record delivering large-scale AI, data analytics, or digital transformation initiatives

Direct experience implementing AI/ML solutions in underwriting, claims, or other insurance operations strongly preferred

Experience working in matrix organizations and managing cross-border, multi-market programs across Asia Pacific

Demonstrated success managing vendor relationships and system integration projects

Experience with regulatory engagement and compliance management in financial services or insurance sectors

Technical Knowledge & Skills

Strong understanding of AI/ML technologies including supervised learning, natural language processing, predictive modeling, and automation frameworks

Familiarity with modern data architectures, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), API integrations, and enterprise data management

Knowledge of insurance core systems (policy administration, underwriting workbenches, rules engines)

Understanding of data privacy regulations (PDPA, GDPR), AI ethics principles, and model governance frameworks

Proficiency in program management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Hybrid) and tools (Jira, MS Project, Confluence, Smartsheet)

Financial acumen including budget management, ROI analysis, and business case development

Basic understanding of actuarial concepts and insurance risk assessment principles

Leadership & Soft Skills

Exceptional stakeholder management skills with ability to influence and align C-suite executives, business leaders, and technical teams

Outstanding communication and presentation skills, capable of translating complex technical concepts for diverse audiences

Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with structured thinking and attention to detail

Proven change management expertise with ability to drive organizational transformation and overcome resistance

Strategic mindset balanced with execution excellence and pragmatic delivery focus

Cultural intelligence and ability to work effectively across diverse markets and organizational cultures

Resilience, adaptability, and composure when navigating ambiguity and competing priorities

Collaborative leadership style that builds trust, empowers teams, and fosters innovation

Preferred Requirements

Knowledge of specific Asian market insurance regulations, especially for Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, etc.

Background in actuarial science, underwriting, or claims operations

Prior experience working in Group Office or regional hub roles coordinating multi-market initiatives

Exposure to health insurance, critical illness, or medical underwriting

Experience with insurtech partnerships or innovation lab initiatives

Prudential is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equality of opportunity of benefits for all who apply and who perform work for our organisation irrespective of sex, race, age, ethnic origin, educational, social and cultural background, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, disability or part-time / fixed-term work, or any other status protected by applicable law. We encourage the same standards from our recruitment and third-party suppliers taking into account the context of grade, job and location. We also allow for reasonable adjustments to support people with individual physical or mental health requirements.

Aplyr's read

Prudential Financial is a key player in financial services, attracting professionals in insurance, investment management, and corporate development for diverse career opportunities.
Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

•Prudential offers a comprehensive range of financial products, including life insurance and investment management.
•The company has a strong global presence, providing diverse career opportunities across various regions.
•Prudential invests in leadership development programs, fostering career growth and advancement.

What to watch

•The financial services sector is highly competitive, posing challenges for market share growth.
•Regulatory changes in the insurance industry may impact operational strategies and profitability.
•Economic downturns can adversely affect demand for financial products and services.

Why Prudential Financial

•Prudential's Future Leaders program targets next-generation management, emphasizing leadership development.
•The company has a robust international footprint, enhancing cross-border career opportunities.
•Prudential's diverse role offerings range from creative management to IT security, showcasing its broad operational scope.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?

About Prudential Financial

Prudential Financial

prudential.com

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Prudential Financial, Inc. is a financial services and insurance company that offers a wide range of products and services including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, and investment management.