About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to drive the Data agenda for our business in the Philippines. This role will be responsible for translating business requirements into data solutions, prioritizing initiatives, and delivering value through our Data Backbone (Data Lake and Data Warehouse) capabilities. Enabling operational reporting, management reporting (BI), and data for advanced analytics models. This role will report to the Head of Data and Analytics.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping our data-driven future and driving innovation in the Life Insurance and Financial Services Industry. If you have the passion, experience, and drive to lead transformative initiatives, we encourage you to apply.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Vision and Roadmap: Develop and maintain the roadmap for the Data Backbone (what data is needed, where to source it from, how to organize it, and how to make it available for consumption), while aligning it to the company's overall vision and strategic imperatives. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify and prioritize data-driven opportunities that enhance client experience, improve operational efficiency, and drive business growth. Continuously assess and evolve the strategic direction for data (as part of the broader Data and Analytics roadmap) in the Philippines.
- Stakeholder Management and Partnerships: Identify, build, and manage strategic partnerships with various stakeholders across the value chain, including Marketing, Sales and Distribution, New Business, Underwriting, Claims, Actuarial, and Client Experience Teams. Manage dependencies and facilitate cross-functional collaboration to ensure seamless data integration and utilization.
- Business Case Definition, Adoption, and Value Realization: Collaborate with business stakeholders to define and quantify the expected business value and return on investment (ROI) for the Data Backbone features. Develop compelling business cases that justify the investment and demonstrate the impact on key business performance indicators (KPIs). Once business case is approved, act as the change management champion and drive adoption of deployed product features and use cases, as well as monitoring the corresponding business value (realized vs potential).
- Product Management in Agile Construct: Lead product owners, KPI stewards, and multiple Agile Squads, so that product value is delivered constantly, iteratively, and sustainably. This includes managing delivery risk, driving cross-functional and cross-workstream collaboration, and providing support to unblock business and technical challenges.
- Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Ownership: Review, define, standardize, and/or transform KPI definition and business logic across functions and lines of business to ensure consistency in reporting and decision-making, as well as alignment to business strategy and objectives. The role includes partnering with KPI Stewards and technical teams to simulate KPI definitions and championing change management as new definitions are rolled out and adopted.
Collaboration and Partnerships
The Data Backbone Business Lead and KPI Owner will have close working relationship with several teams within Sun Life:
- Sales, Distribution, Operations, and Marketing Leads: These teams will be the key stakeholders of data and data products.
- IT Team: IT provides the technology architecture, technical solutioning, and delivery, which are in alignment to the business requirements set by this role.
- Head of Data Transformation, Asia: The Data Transformation Lead for Asia provides the expertise for the function (Data programs) and guidance as needed.
- Center of Excellence (CoE) Teams: Global and Regional CoE Teams provide the design patterns for the pilot, which will be scaled locally.
- Transformation and Change Management Teams: The Business Transformation Teams aid in the adoption and utilization of product features to deliver value.
Preferred Skills
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in business intelligence and data analytics tools and platforms (e.g. Tableau, QuickSight, Python). Very good understanding of data modelling approaches. Prior experience of advanced analytics, including machine learning and predictive modeling is desirable.
- Business Acumen: Demonstrated ability to translate business requirements into data and/or reporting solutions. Strong understanding of business processes and key performance indicators in the Life Insurance Industry.
- Leadership: Proven track record of leading and developing high performing teams. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and execute tactically.
Required Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in a Product Owner or similar role in the Life Insurance and Health Industry. Overall 10+ years of experience.
- Proven track record of successfully delivering data-driven products or initiatives.
- Deep understanding of Life Insurance business processes in the Philippines, including lead generation, agency & bancassurance, underwriting, policy administration, claims management, and regulatory compliance.
- Experienced working with AWS cloud technologies, data lakes, and data warehouses.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Familiarity with Agile methodologies and project management practices.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g. Business Administration, Computer Science, Management Engineering, or related disciplines).
- Relevant industry certifications (e.g. Certified Product Owner, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, or Life Office Management Association Certifications) are highly desirable.
- Advanced degree or professional certification in a related field (e.g. MBA, PMP) is a plus.
