VP, Innovation and Workforce Transformation Lead, Innovation Group

Company: 1011 United Overseas Bank Ltd

About UOB

United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) is a leading bank in Asia with a global network of more than 500 branches and offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. In Asia, we operate through our head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, as well as branches and offices. Our history spans more than 80 years. Over this time, we have been guided by our values – Honorable, Enterprising, United and Committed. This means we always strive to do what is right, build for the future, work as one team and pursue long-term success. It is how we work, consistently, be it towards the company, our colleagues or our customers.

Job Description

Job Summary

Reporting to the Head of Innovation Enablement, the VP, Innovation and Workforce Transformation Lead is responsible for driving workforce transformation initiatives that enable employees to adopt innovation mindsets, digital capabilities, and emerging technologies to create business value across the Group.

This role sits within the Innovation Group and works closely with Group functions, country teams, HR, business units, and external partners to design and execute innovation capability-building programmes, workforce transformation initiatives, and enterprise-wide innovation engagement activities. The role will be instrumental in supporting UOB's transformation agenda by equipping employees with the skills, tools, and mindset required to thrive in an increasingly digital, AI-enabled, and platform-driven environment.

Beyond capability development, the role is responsible for creating opportunities for employees to apply innovation through challenges, experimentation programmes, innovation communities, and cross-functional collaborations that drive measurable business outcomes across UOB's regional network.

Success in this role requires a combination of workforce transformation expertise, innovation programme management, strong stakeholder engagement, learning and development experience, and the ability to translate emerging technologies into practical adoption and business value.

Key Responsibilities

Drive Workforce Transformation and Capability Building

• Develop and execute workforce transformation initiatives that support UOB's innovation, AI, digital, and data ambitions.
• Partner with HR, Innovation Academy, business units, and country teams to design capability-building programmes that strengthen innovation, digital, and AI competencies.
• Identify future skills and workforce capability requirements aligned to the Bank's strategic priorities.
• Develop learning pathways, workshops, certifications, and experiential programmes to support employee upskilling and reskilling.
• Monitor capability development outcomes and adoption metrics to ensure programme effectiveness and business impact.

Lead Innovation Engagement Programmes

• Design and manage enterprise-wide innovation programmes, challenges, hackathons, and capability-building initiatives that encourage experimentation and problem-solving.
• Drive employee participation in innovation activities and foster a culture of innovation across the organisation.
• Collaborate with business units to identify opportunities where innovation programmes can address real business challenges.
• Support the development of innovation communities, champions, and networks across Group functions and country teams.
• Showcase successful use cases and innovation outcomes to promote adoption and continuous learning.

Enable Adoption of Emerging Technologies

• Support the adoption of AI, automation, digital tools, and emerging technologies through targeted awareness, training, and implementation programmes.
• Work with Innovation Group teams to translate technology capabilities into practical business applications and workforce learning opportunities.
• Develop adoption strategies, communications, and engagement plans to increase utilisation of enterprise innovation tools and platforms.
• Partner with technology and business teams to gather feedback and continuously improve adoption approaches.

Build and Manage Strategic Learning Partnerships

• Collaborate with universities, training providers, technology partners, industry bodies, and innovation ecosystems to bring relevant learning opportunities to UOB employees.
• Support the evaluation, onboarding, and management of external partners involved in workforce transformation and innovation programmes.
• Identify emerging learning trends and best practices that can be incorporated into UOB's capability-building strategy.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and thought leadership activities across the organisation.

Align Stakeholders and Drive Programme Execution

• Work closely with stakeholders across business, technology, HR, risk, compliance, and country teams to support programme delivery.
• Establish programme governance, milestones, reporting structures, and success metrics for workforce transformation initiatives.
• Monitor programme progress, risks, dependencies, and outcomes to ensure successful execution.
• Prepare management updates and presentations for senior leadership and governance forums.
• Facilitate collaboration across Group functions and markets to support consistent programme implementation and adoption.

Qualifications & Skills

Core Experience

• 6–8 years of experience in workforce transformation, learning and development, innovation, change management, organisational development, programme management, or related disciplines.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide capability-building or transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated success in managing cross-functional programmes involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience working with regional stakeholders across multiple markets is advantageous.

Technical & Domain Expertise

• Familiarity with AI, digital technologies, automation, innovation methodologies, and workforce transformation practices.
• Understanding of learning and development frameworks, change management principles, and capability-building approaches.
• Experience in financial services, technology, consulting, or transformation environments is preferred.

Leadership & Behavioural Competencies

• Strong programme management and execution capabilities.
• Structured thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communicator with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Passion for developing people and enabling organisational transformation.

Personal Attributes

• Growth mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous learning.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Collaborative and relationship-oriented.
• Adaptable and comfortable navigating ambiguity and change.
• Committed to delivering practical and measurable business outcomes through workforce transformation.

Additional Requirements

Develop, Engage, Execute, Strategise

Be a Part of the UOB Family

UOB is an equal opportunity employer. UOB does not discriminate on the basis of a candidate's age, race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or other non-merit factors. All employment decisions at UOB are based on business needs, job requirements and qualifications. If you require any assistance or accommodations to be made for the recruitment process, please inform us when you submit your online application.

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