Associate Director, Internal Audit

FIND YOUR BETTER AT AIA We don’t simply believe in being ‘The Best’. We believe in better - because there’s no limit to how far ‘better’ can take us. We believe in empowering every one of our people to find their better - in the work they do, the career they build, the life they live and the difference they make. So that together we can support even more people - including our own - to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. If you believe in better, we’d love to hear from you. About the Role This role leads independent assurance across AIA Malaysia's Business Operations Distribution portfolio and supports the Head of Internal Audit in maintaining effective oversight of the audit universe, audit plan, portfolio risk assessments and stakeholder engagement. Functional Leadership involves leading the Business Operations Distribution audit portfolio, including underwriting, claims, customer servicing, product management, healthcare operations, agency, partnership distribution, corporate solutions and related business activities. The role is responsible for maintaining an independent view of risks, control effectiveness and emerging issues across the assigned portfolio. Entity Leadership involves acting as the primary Internal Audit relationship lead for assigned entities and stakeholder groups, maintaining effective engagement with senior management and governance forums while preserving independence, objectivity and professional scepticism. The role also contributes to audit strategy, talent development, resource planning, capability building, audit innovation, transformation initiatives and the continuous improvement of the Internal Audit function. Roles and Responsibilities Audit Strategy and Planning Lead the development and maintenance of assurance strategies across the Business Operations Distribution portfolio of AIA Malaysia. Support the Head of Internal Audit in maintaining a risk-based audit universe and annual audit plan. Assess emerging risks, strategic initiatives, regulatory changes and business developments, and recommend updates to audit coverage where appropriate. Provide portfolio-level risk insights to support effective audit planning and prioritisation. Contribute to annual planning, resource allocation and portfolio management activities. Audit Delivery and Quality Lead audit teams throughout the audit lifecycle, ensuring audits are appropriately scoped, planned and executed in accordance with the GIA Charter, GIA Manual and professional standards. Maintain oversight of audit quality, professional scepticism and consistency across assigned engagements. Review audit observations and reports to ensure they are evidence-based, balanced, impactful and clearly articulated. Lead discussions with management regarding audit findings, root causes and remediation plans. Evaluate the adequacy, timeliness and effectiveness of management actions. Ensure delivery of audit commitments within agreed quality, timeliness and budget expectations. Business Knowledge and Risk Monitoring Maintain a strong understanding of the business strategy, operating model and risk profile of AIA Malaysia. Monitor emerging risks, regulatory developments, customer trends, operational challenges and strategic initiatives affecting assigned portfolios. Maintain awareness of significant projects, transformation initiatives and business changes that may impact the control environment. Provide independent challenge and forward-looking insights to management and Internal Audit leadership. Entity Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement Serve as the principal Internal Audit relationship lead for assigned entities and stakeholder groups. Build and maintain effective relationships with senior executives and management teams across operations, distribution and customer functions to ensure Internal Audit remains informed of business priorities, emerging risks and significant developments. Participate in relevant governance and management forums as required. Collaborate effectively with Risk, Compliance, Legal, External Audit and other assurance providers. Support interactions with regulators and external stakeholders when required. Leadership and People Development Lead, coach and develop team members, fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, technical excellence and continuous improvement. Establish clear expectations and provide timely feedback to support performance and career development. Support workforce planning, talent reviews and succession planning activities. Identify and develop future audit leaders and specialist capabilities within the team. Promote employee engagement, knowledge sharing and professional development. Audit Innovation, Analytics and Continuous Improvement Champion the adoption of data analytics, continuous auditing, automation and AI-enabled audit techniques. Support the implementation of audit transformation initiatives and new methodologies. Encourage innovation and new ways of working across the audit team. Functional Leadership and Strategic Contribution Act as the functional leader for the Business Operations Distribution assurance portfolio. Provide technical guidance and subject matter leadership across assigned domains. Support the Head of Internal Audit in the effective leadership and management of the Internal Audit function. Contribute to strategic initiatives, operating model enhancements and capability-building activities. Demonstrate ownership, accountability and leadership across the function. Key Stakeholder Interactions Internal Group Internal Audit, local Internal Audit teams, senior management and business stakeholders across AIA Group and AIA Malaysia. External External auditors, Audit Committees, regulatory authorities and other external stakeholders, as required. Minimum Job Requirements Education and Professional Qualifications Bachelor s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management or a related discipline. CIA, CPA, ACCA, CA or other relevant professional qualifications are preferred. Experience Minimum 12 years of experience in internal audit, external audit, risk management or financial services. Significant experience within insurance, takaful, banking or other regulated financial services environments. Strong understanding of insurance operations, customer journeys, distribution channels and governance frameworks. Proven experience leading complex audits, programmes or portfolios and managing senior stakeholders. Risk Management and Internal Controls Strong understanding of risk-based auditing, governance frameworks, risk management practices and internal control principles. Strong understanding of customer, operational, conduct and distribution risks within financial services. Ability to identify emerging risks and assess implications on assurance coverage. Communication and Stakeholder Management Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills. Strong executive presence and ability to engage credibly with senior management. Ability to influence, challenge constructively and navigate complex stakeholder environments. Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills. Leadership Demonstrated ability to lead teams, build capability and drive accountability. Strong coaching, mentoring and talent development skills. Ability to lead through change and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Judgement and Problem Solving Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Ability to assess complex situations, exercise sound judgement and provide balanced, risk-based challenge. Strong professional scepticism and decision-making capability. Digital and Innovation Mindset Strong digital, data and AI mindset. Ability to leverage analytics, automation and technology-enabled audit approaches to improve assurance outcomes. Passion for innovation and continuous improvement. Build a career with us as we help our customers and the community live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. You must provide all requested information, including Personal Data, to be considered for this career opportunity. Failure to provide such information may influence the processing and outcome of your application. You are responsible for ensuring that the information you submit is accurate and up-to-date.