Director of Technology Innovation & Product Development - 20Mil

Director of Technology Innovation & Product Development - JPY20Mil, Global Insurance Business
Location: Tokyo

About Our Client
Our client is a global insurnace company with strong presence in Japan. They are inviting seasoned technology professionals to take a pivotal role in our digital and AI-driven transformation. You will lead and oversee end-to-end technology strategy, guiding the integration of cutting-edge technology that will enhance customer interactions and drive tangible business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee full-stack engineering teams across multiple locations, focusing on skills development, hiring, and retention, while embedding a progressive engineering culture.
• Collaborate with primary business stakeholders to ensure delivery of essential digital solutions, managing key resources, SaaS platforms, and prioritizing product backlogs aligned with transformation goals.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to implement technological solutions that drive core business results and support strategic initiatives.
• Promote Agile practices throughout the software development lifecycle to enhance efficiency and adaptability.
• Software Lifecycle Management: Lead the software lifecycle, from architecture and design to development, testing, and deployment, ensuring best practices in technology stack selection, including cloud and AI/data-driven solutions.
• Technical Leadership: Direct the design, development, and operational strategy of applications, supporting the daily operational needs of business platforms.
• Work with Product Family Executives to align technology strategies with business objectives.
• Conduct peer reviews of solution designs and code to uphold standards and regulatory compliance.
• Resolve complex production incidents, ensuring service requests align with disaster recovery, privacy, and security standards to maintain platform stability.
• Cross-Functional Partnerships: Engage with Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Risk Management, Compliance, and Audit teams to deliver comprehensive technology solutions addressing risks, controls, and security.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• 15+ years leading technical teams in digital transformation, ideally in finance or technology sectors.
• Deep knowledge of modern tech stacks (e.g., cloud-native, public cloud, AI, big data, APIs, Java, React) and experience in creating high-performance, secure, and resilient applications within complex, regulated environments.
• Proficiency in the SDLC, including CI/CD, test-driven and domain-driven development, with a strong Agile background.
• Proven experience in people and cultural transformation aligned with digital initiatives.
• Business proficiency in English and Japanese (N2 as a minimum).

Technical Expertise

• Development & Delivery: Agile (SAFe framework), DevOps practices, CI/CD tools (Azure DevOps, Git), containerization (Kubernetes), and scheduling (Azure Scheduler).
• Frameworks & Languages: Microservices (Java, Springboot), web (ReactJS, HTML, JavaScript), and mobile (Swift, Objective-C, React Native).
• Data Management & APIs: SQL Server, Cosmos DB, and API management tools (Kong, APIC).
• Tools & Platforms: GitHub Copilot, VSCODE, IntelliJ, and Microsoft Azure.
• Security & Monitoring: Secure coding practices (Veracode), authentication (MS Entra, PingOne), and monitoring tools (Azure AppInsights, Elastic).