Head of AI Operational Strategy

Job Summary: Head of AI Operational Strategy

Role Overview: This is a pure business and operational strategy leadership role - not a technical AI, data science, machine learning engineering, or model-building position. The Head of AI Operational Strategy will partner closely with the Operations leadership to define, champion, and execute the Group's AI Operations Strategy. The focus is on strategically embedding AI capabilities into core operational processes (e.g., underwriting, claims, policy servicing, fraud detection, and customer operations) to drive efficiency, cost reduction, risk mitigation, regulatory alignment, and enhanced service levels.

Success depends on translating high-level AI vision into pragmatic, prioritized business strategies, orchestrating cross-regional execution, and ensuring measurable operational impact - without hands-on technical development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Shape and evolve the enterprise-wide AI Operations Strategy in tight alignment with Operations priorities, Group business goals, and Hong Kong/Asia regulatory frameworks (IA guidelines, data privacy, ethical AI use).
• Identify high-impact AI use cases across Operations, conduct business case development, prioritize initiatives based on ROI, risk, and feasibility, and build multi-year roadmaps.
• Lead strategy execution by aligning and mobilizing regional (Asia-Pacific) and local market teams - establishing clear governance, KPIs, change management, and accountability mechanisms.
• Act as the senior bridge between Operations, senior executives, IT/digital functions, and external partners to ensure AI initiatives deliver tangible operational outcomes (e.g., faster processing, lower loss ratios, improved straight-through processing rates).
• Provide thought leadership on AI's role in transforming life insurance operations, while proactively managing business risks (ethical considerations, bias, regulatory compliance, change resistance).
• Build and lead a compact, high-caliber strategy & adoption team focused on business value realization rather than technical delivery.

Ideal Candidate Profile: This position is particularly well-suited for a high-performing S/Director or Partner currently in a top-tier strategy consulting firm (Big 4 or MBB), where you have led AI-enabled operational transformation projects for insurers, banks, or other regulated financial institutions.

You bring:

• 10-15+ years in strategy consulting, with significant experience advising on AI/business transformation in operations-heavy environments (insurance, financial services preferred).
• Proven ability to craft and align ambitious AI visions with executable operational strategies that deliver measurable P&L and customer impact.
• Strong track record orchestrating complex, matrixed execution across geographies and functions - turning strategy into sustained operational change.
• Deep commercial acumen in life insurance operations (underwriting, claims, servicing, distribution) and familiarity with Asia/Hong Kong market dynamics and regulations (a plus, not mandatory).
• Exceptional stakeholder influence, executive communication, and program leadership skills - comfortable operating at C-suite and board levels without needing deep coding/ML expertise.
• Advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) strongly preferred; consulting pedigree in AI/operational strategy engagements is key.