Chief Operations Officer

About the role:

Accountable directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as Chief Operations Officer for East Asia region for executing the company's mission, overall strategy and business plan.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO)demonstrates a solid understanding of leading governance, operational practices, technology, and actively demonstrates skills required in working collaboratively with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.

The role of Chief Operation Officer is critical to lead, inspire and develop strategic business, excellence operation and technology transformation in the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Enhance operational efficiency, leveraging technology to optimize processes, and ensuring that security measures are in place to protect sensitive information.
• The COO will lead cross-functional teams, focusing on strategic execution and improving service delivery in the insurance & assistance space.
• Ensure that operations adhere to industry regulations and standards, particularly in the insurance and assistance sectors for the region.
• Work closely with operations leads in analyzing performance metrics and data to drive decisions and improvements.
• Ensure that the company delivers high-quality customer service and addresses client needs effectively.
• Work closely and assists CEO in the implementation of the company's strategic plan and contributes to the effective business and product planning for the region.
• Provides insight and in-depth analysis of operations performance through regular reports and business status and formulates actions to improve performance.
• Provides quality strategic business updates.
• Liaises & collaborate with other executives, stakeholders, and partners to align operational goals with broader business objectives.
• Drives the discussion ensuring optimized efficiency, and work closely with business leads in forecasting, and resource allocation
  
  
  

Information Technology (IT)

• Oversee the IT infrastructure, ensuring it supports current and future business needs.
• Partner with the CIO (or relevant IT leadership) to identify, implement, and maintain technology solutions that enhance operations.
• Lead digital transformation efforts, focusing on automation, data analytics, and customer service enhancement.
• Lead the discussion and together with CTO evaluate and optimize, manage external vendors not limited to cost but also quality service delivery.
• Innovation: Promote the adoption of new technologies and processes to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Contributes to the continuous Operational efficiency, procedures, and processes to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the financial function in the region.
  
  
  

Security Management

• Collaborate with other executives, stakeholders, and partners to align operational goals with broader business objectives.
• Ensure that robust information security measures are in place to protect customer data, financial information, and other sensitive assets
• Collaborate with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or security teams to develop and implement cybersecurity strategies.
• Monitor security trends and threats, ensuring that the organization is proactively addressing potential vulnerabilities.
• Oversee risk management and business continuity planning related to operational and IT security.
  
  
  

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and mentor various operational teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and high performance.
• Mentor and develop key leaders, preparing them for future growth and responsibilities.
• Build and lead high-performing teams across operations, IT, and security departments.
  
  
  

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Drive process optimization and cost management initiatives to improve profitability.
• Monitor the competitive landscape and drive innovation to maintain the company's market leadership.
• Translate strategic goals into actionable operational plans with clear objectives and measurable outcomes.
  
  
  

Qualification & Experience Requirements

Education

• A masters degree in business administration, Operations Management, Information Technology, or a related field
• Strong background in operations management, information technology, and security, with a demonstrated track record of improving processes and driving efficiency.
• Extensive experience managing IT systems, digital platforms, and cybersecurity initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Strong knowledge of risk management, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices in insurance assistance.
• Experience with business process improvement, digital transformation, and innovation in a corporate environment.
• Familiarity with operational software, data analysis tools, and technologies relevant to the assistance and insurance sectors.
  
  
  

Experience

• Proven experience (10+ years) in a senior operational leadership role, preferably in the insurance or financial services sector.
• Experience in managing regional operations within a multinational company is highly desirable Deep understanding of the insurance assistance industry.
• Experience in managing multi-functional teams and large-scale projects.
• Ability to align IT and security strategies with business objectives.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies (AI, automation, machine learning) and their application in operations and customer service.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding of the regulatory landscape affecting the assistance and insurance industries.
• Network: Established connections within the industry can be beneficial for partnership and collaboration opportunities