CEO, Digital Insurer & Takaful Operator (DITO)

Job description

CEO, Digital Insurer & Takaful Operator (DITO) – Malaysia Role Mission Lead the build and launch of Malaysia’s next-generation digital takaful operator — from licence application and regulatory engagement to operational readiness, launch and scalable growth. This is a zero-to-one leadership role requiring a rare combination of regulatory credibility, operational discipline, commercial judgement and hands-on execution capability. The CEO will work closely with regulators, Board members and key stakeholders to build a digital takaful business that is trusted, compliant, customer-centric and commercially sustainable. Key Responsibilities 1. Licensing & Regulatory Leadership - Lead the DITO licence application process and regulatory engagement with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). - Own the 7-year business plan, governance framework, capital plan and operational readiness roadmap. - Ensure the organisation is built to meet BNM expectations across governance, risk, compliance, cybersecurity, technology, operations, conduct and customer protection. - Work closely with the Board, legal counsel, compliance, risk, actuaries, Shariah advisors and external auditors. 2. Build the Company From Scratch - Recruit and lead the founding leadership team across finance, compliance, risk, actuarial, technology, underwriting, claims, product, operations and customer service. - Establish the operating model, controls, reporting structure, execution cadence and decision-making framework. - Build a high-performance culture centred around ownership, accountability, speed, clarity and integrity. 3. Product, Underwriting & Customer Proposition - Build simple, fair and digitally native takaful products that are Shariah-compliant and commercially viable. - Own the end-to-end customer journey across onboarding, servicing, claims and renewals. - Balance growth, underwriting discipline, claims management, customer trust and long-term sustainability. 4. Technology & Digital Execution - Partner closely with technology leadership to build secure, scalable and reliable digital infrastructure. - Ensure strong governance across cybersecurity, data protection, disaster recovery and operational resilience. - Drive automation and AI adoption where it improves efficiency, accuracy and customer experience while maintaining appropriate controls. 5. Commercial & Capital Discipline - Own P&L performance, capital efficiency, pricing discipline and growth strategy. - Develop retakaful/reinsurance partnerships and long-term distribution strategies. - Drive customer acquisition and partnerships while maintaining strong regulatory and conduct standards. Must-Have Profile - Proven experience as a CEO, COO, GM or senior leader within insurance, takaful, fintech, insurtech or other regulated financial services environments. - Strong understanding of regulatory environments, ideally within insurance/takaful, banking or financial services. - Experience engaging with regulators, Board members, auditors, actuaries and senior stakeholders. - Hands-on operator capable of building and scaling businesses from early-stage environments. - Strong commercial judgement, financial discipline and product thinking. - Calm under pressure with high ownership, adaptability and execution capability. - Able to make decisions in fast-moving and ambiguous environments. We Are Looking For Someone Who - Solves problems proactively and adapts quickly when new information emerges. - Thinks from first principles and focuses on outcomes over corporate bureaucracy. - Balances humility with decisiveness. - Can operate with intensity and urgency while maintaining organisational stability. - Builds trust with regulators, customers, employees and shareholders. - Is willing to stay close to operational details across product, compliance, claims, technology, hiring and customer experience. Not Suitable For - Leaders who operate purely through hierarchy or committees without execution depth. - Insurance executives unable to adapt to digital operating models. - Startup operators who underestimate regulatory complexity and governance requirements. - Leaders who prioritise growth without sufficient discipline around controls, capital or customer protection. Success in the First 12 Months - DITO application submitted with a credible Board-approved business plan. - Strong and professional engagement established with BNM and key stakeholders. - Founding leadership team successfully built across key business functions. - Operational readiness roadmap completed with clear execution ownership. - Core digital takaful product and operating framework prepared for launch. - Company culture established around ownership, speed, compliance, accountability and customer trust.