Chief Manager - Business Strategy

The role sits within the Corporate Strategy team and is responsible for designing, detailing, executing and program-managing large-scale strategic transformation programs to improve multi-channel sales/distribution efficiency, with digital enablement as a key lever. The incumbent will typically own 1–2 large transformation programs at a time, taking them from problem framing and strategy through execution and benefit realization. The person will work with and/or lead cross-functional teams across Sales/Distribution, Digital, Operations, Product and Finance to deliver measurable outcomes. The role requires comfort with ambiguous problem statements—framing the right questions, structuring the analysis, and translating insights into clear strategic choices and executable plans. The incumbent will work closely with senior leaders and functional heads to align stakeholders, drive decisions, and program-manage the agreed transformation priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Axis Max Life Distribution strategy—develop hypotheses, test and iterate solutions; diagnose root causes and recommend actions backed by a clear value case.
• Lead digital-first distribution strategy for identified priority channels and translate it into a clear execution roadmap.
• Identify and drive adoption of digital and analytics-led interventions (including AI-enabled tools / emerging digital capabilities, where relevant)—from problem definition and prioritization to business case, rollout, and change management—to improve advisor productivity, sales effectiveness and customer experience.
• Conduct internal and external research, benchmark peers, and build a point of view on emerging distribution and digital trends; recommend pilots and scale-up opportunities.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (Distribution, Product, Digital, Technology, Data/Analytics, Operations, Finance, Legal/Compliance) to define requirements, evaluate options, and secure leadership decisions.
• Program-manage execution with strong governance: integrated plan, risks/dependencies, stakeholder management, change/adoption, and training/communications; track KPIs and ensure delivery against timelines and benefits.
• Execute and deliver projects against predefined measures of success.
• Work with cross-functional teams (including consultants) to identify and analyze the key levers impacting the process/work area.
• Bring an outside-in perspective—use networks within and outside the industry to learn best practices and assess how they can be applied to Axis Max Life’s priorities.
• Contribute to strategy development, partner with Planning, and drive change initiatives to achieve best-in-class competitiveness for the assigned work area/process.
• Help chart the company’s growth path by applying technology and financial principles to inform strategic choices.

Minimum Requirements

• MBA (Top Tier) with 3+ years of relevant experience
• Prior experience in consulting/corporate strategy/distribution strategy roles is a