📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Growth & Initiatives Specialist
🔹 Company: AIA
🔹 Location: Auckland, NZ - AIA House Auckland
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Insurance
🔹 Date Posted: April 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading strategic initiatives across Distribution Operations and Digital Distribution
- Driving innovation and success through collaboration with the Distribution Leadership Team
- Defining and executing digital partner strategies to achieve set KPIs
- Onboarding and integrating partners with appropriate technology and operating solutions
- Coordinating change management activities and maintaining strong internal relationships
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, project management skills, and the ability to build strong relationships both internally and externally.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Define and deliver the Digital Partner strategy to support identification, exploration, value opportunity, and engagement of key partners to achieve set KPIs
✅ Lift Direct-to-Customer core proposition offerings and create compelling value propositions for partners and their customers
✅ Onboard and end-to-end integrate partners with the most appropriate technology and operating solutions, achieving maximum efficiencies and scalability at speed
✅ Overall responsibility for project and key strategic initiative delivery, working closely with Project Sponsors and Business Owners to ensure strategic alignment and delivery of business objectives
✅ Proactively seek opportunities to improve, develop, and enhance our offering to Advisors, Customers, and Business Partners
✅ Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of the external operating environment, including the economy, competitors, and digital landscape
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong communication and influencing skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field
Experience: 5-10 years of relevant experience in strategic initiatives, project management, or a related role
Required Skills:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong relationship management skills, with a proven track record of building strong connections at all levels
- Solid understanding of project management principles
- Knowledge of the financial services or insurance industry (preferred)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in digital strategy and partner management
- Familiarity with change management principles
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the insurance industry or digital strategy will have a competitive advantage in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: NZD 120,000 - 160,000 per annum (based on experience and industry standards)
Benefits:
- Competitive employee benefits, including insurances
- Employee Share Purchase Scheme
- Extra day of leave each quarter to recharge
- Membership to AIA Vitality, a science-backed health and wellbeing programme
- Flexible working arrangements
Working Hours: Full-time position, with flexible working arrangements available
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in New Zealand. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Insurance. AIA is the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group, with a presence in 18 markets and over 46,000 employees.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees. As a large organization, AIA offers opportunities for career growth and development.
Founded: 1919 in Shanghai. AIA has a rich history and extensive experience in the insurance industry.
Company Description:
- Provides life insurance, accident and health insurance, and savings plans to individuals
- Offers employee benefits, credit life, and pension services to corporate clients
- Committed to driving innovation and success through strategic initiatives and digital transformation
Company Specialties:
- Life insurance
- Retirement planning
- Accident and health insurance
- Wealth management solutions
Company Website: www.aia.com
ASSUMPTION: AIA's extensive experience and large size provide a stable and supportive work environment for employees.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Senior level. This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within AIA.
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Distribution Leadership Team and collaborates with various internal teams and external partners.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid. This role offers a combination of on-site and remote work, with a focus on collaboration and flexibility.
Growth Opportunities:
- Internal mobility opportunities within AIA
- Potential to take on more strategic or leadership roles as the company grows
- Chance to gain experience in digital strategy, partner management, and change management
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, both within the specific role and across the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid. AIA's Auckland office offers a modern and collaborative work environment, with a mix of on-site and remote work options.
Office Location(s): AIA House Auckland, 215-221 Great South Road, Auckland 1051, New Zealand
Geographic Context:
- Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, with a vibrant and multicultural community
- The city offers a range of recreational activities, cultural experiences, and culinary delights
- Auckland's cost of living is generally higher than other New Zealand cities, but it also offers higher salaries and more job opportunities
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible working arrangements available. AIA encourages a healthy work-life balance for its employees.
ASSUMPTION: Auckland's vibrant and multicultural environment offers a rich and diverse work experience for employees.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the Talent Acquisition team
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Distribution Leadership Team
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Communication and influencing abilities
- Relationship management and collaboration skills
- Project management experience and skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your strategic thinking, project management, and relationship management skills
- Research AIA and the insurance industry to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role
ATS Keywords: Digital Partner, Strategic Initiatives, Project Management, Relationship Management, Change Management, Digital Strategy, Insurance Industry, AIA
ASSUMPTION: AIA's recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' skills and cultural fit for the role and the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
ASSUMPTION: AIA provides the necessary tools and technologies for employees to perform their jobs effectively.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Excellence
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Focused on driving results and continuous improvement
- Adaptable and open to change
- Committed to professional development and growth
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of building strong relationships at all levels, both internally and externally?
- Are you comfortable working in a dynamic and changing environment?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative and team-oriented work environment?
ASSUMPTION: AIA values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration, and seeks candidates who align with these values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
- Navigating a large and complex organization
- Working with diverse stakeholders, both internally and externally
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-changing insurance industry
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong project management skills, effective communication, and a collaborative work style.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on driving strategic initiatives across Distribution Operations and Digital Distribution
- Similar roles in other industries may have a different focus, such as product management, marketing, or business development
- Career progression in this role may lead to senior management or leadership positions within AIA
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to drive strategic initiatives and innovation within the insurance industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a digital partner strategy to achieve set KPIs
- Onboarding and integrating a new partner with appropriate technology and operating solutions
- Leading a strategic initiative to improve the customer experience for a specific channel
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and collaborative nature of this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of AIA's digital distribution strategy, and how this role will contribute to its evolution?
- How does this role collaborate with other teams and stakeholders within AIA, and what are the key priorities for the first 90 days?
- What are the most significant challenges facing AIA's Distribution Operations and Digital Distribution, and how can this role help address them?
- How does AIA support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in this role?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role fit into that framework?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate a candidate's interest in the role, the company, and its strategic priorities.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Apply button on the job listing
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your enthusiasm for AIA's mission
- Prepare examples of your strategic thinking, project management, and relationship management skills
- Follow up with the Talent Acquisition team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
