Associate Director, Contract Management

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

The role is accountable for all aspects of pre-negotiation, negotiation, and post-negotiation contract management and governance.

The role leads the Contract Management team and is accountable for ensuring that all contracts are well-drafted with clear and effective terms and conditions, negotiated to achieve AIA’s strategic and commercial objectives, executed effectively, and managed to safeguard AIA’s organizational interests, mitigate risks while maintaining strong relationships with third-party vendors and internal stakeholders.

Acting as a central point of contact for all contract-related matters, the roles provide expert guidance on contractual issues and lead the resolution of disputes and matters that may arise throughout the contract lifecycle.

The role is responsible for contracting strategies and overseeing the establishment, management, and governance of contracts to maximize business value, enhance contractual outcomes, and minimize risk for AIA.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Drive the development and implementation of automation and artificial intelligence approaches to contracting and contract processes in AIA to increase the efficiency of reviews and drive contract volume through-put.
• Lead the delivery of contract management services across AIA, ensuring adherence to the Group Technology Contract Management Guidelines, associated process flows, and related end-to-end contracting processes.
• Develop and implement contracting strategies that support business objectives and drive optimal commercial and contractual outcomes for AIA.
• Lead and develop a team of Contract Managers and support staff based in a shared services entity in Malaysia that provide support across APAC, ensuring delivery of contract management services and fostering a higher-performance culture.
• Lead complex contract negotiations with external vendors, coordinating cross-functional stakeholders to achieve favourable commercial, operational, and risk management outcomes.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate contractual and commercial risks to protect AIA's interests and support effective decision-making
• Provide expert advice and guidance to stakeholders on contractual terms, obligations, legal implications, and contract-related matters, ensuring clear and practical interpretation of contractual provisions.
• Oversee the end-to-end contract lifecycle, including contract review, drafting, negotiation, execution, renewal, amendment, and termination activities.
• Govern intercompany contracting arrangement between AIA entities and internal shared services providers, ensuring appropriate contractual frameworks and compliance requirements are maintained.
• Oversee contract summarisation process and ensuring that contractual obligations, key risks, and commercial commitments are accurately recorded and readily accessible.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in contract management practices, including the adoption of AI-enabled contracting capabilities to enhance contract quality, efficiency, and governance.
• Develop, maintain and enhance contract templates, standards, guidance materials, and best practices frameworks to support consistent and effective contract management across AIA.
• Support vendor evaluation and procurement activities by establishing clear contractual assessment criteria and ensuring fair and effective evaluation processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with business units, functional stakeholders, and vendors to ensure compliance with contracting policies, processes, and governance requirements.
• Facilitate governance and review meetings to ensure appropriate oversights of contractual commitments, risks, performance issues, and stakeholder alignment.
• Lead contract dispute management and resolution activities, implementing proactive measures, standards, and controls to minimize future disputes and contractual issues.
• Ensure the integrity, completeness, and accessibility of contract repositories and records relating to contracts, negotiation, and associated documentation.
• Deliver education, training and guidance on contract management practices, contractual obligations, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements to relevant stakeholders in Group Technology.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance contract governance, vendor management effectiveness, operational efficiency and business value realization.

Minimum Job Requirement

• University graduate in related discipline.
• Legal education and training are beneficial.
• Minimum 10+ years of relevant working experience.
• Proven experience in a vendor or contract management function, preferably in the technology or financial services industry.
• Proven ability to build strong partnerships and effectively influence stakeholders at executive and senior management levels.
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of commercial constructs and contractual arrangements.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Sound understanding of contract management practices, legal principles, and risk management concepts.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to management multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Independent, proactive, and innovative in approach.
• Demonstrated project delivery focus with the ability to drive outcomes and continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to lead and manage cross-functional teams.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to lead strategic contract negotiations while coaching and developing a team of Contract Managers. 

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.