Head of Cloud Modernisation

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

TAL is seeking the Head of Cloud Modernisation for a full‑time onsite role in Sydney to lead TAL’s enterprise‑wide transition from legacy systems to a modern cloud‑based Microsoft ecosystem. The remit covers large‑scale application migration, data platform uplift and AI enablement, with executive governance, SteerCo forums and close vendor engagement with Microsoft and delivery partners. Success depends on end‑to‑end migration planning, risk and regulatory control, alignment with target cloud architecture and business readiness. To apply, emphasise multi‑stream program leadership, measurable migration outcomes, strong executive stakeholder influence, and demonstrable Azure and AWS collaboration while highlighting TAL’s values and commitment to inclusion.

Company Description

• Join us in shaping the future of the insurance industry, driven by innovation and a 150-year legacy of protecting people 
• Take advantage of well-being initiatives designed to support your mental and physical health, ensuring a balanced lifestyle 
• Work alongside diverse, passionate colleagues and leaders who inspire, support, and value your contributions. 

For over 150 years, we've never stopped finding better ways to protect Australians. As one of the nation’s leading life insurers, we’re driven by ambition and a sense of purpose. Our responsibility to our customers, partners, and the broader community is at the heart of everything we do.  

At TAL, we’re empowered to experiment, innovate, and create better products and services. Backed by Daiichi Life, one of the world’s largest insurers, we deliver financial security to millions of Australians through our care and expertise. Bring your curious mind and ambition to shape our industry and help us become the progressive, digitally enabled, leading insurer we aim to be.

Job Description

The Cloud Modernisation Program Director is a senior executive role responsible for leading TAL’s enterprise-wide transformation from legacy systems to a modern, cloud-based Microsoft ecosystem. With a strong focus on large-scale application migration, the role ensures the structured and risk-managed transition of critical business systems while maintaining operational stability and regulatory compliance. This includes driving the prioritisation and sequencing of migration waves, managing key dependencies, and delivering measurable outcomes across multiple application portfolios.

Operating at the executive level, the Program Director provides strategic oversight, governance, and performance reporting across a complex, multi-stream program spanning application migration, data platform uplift, and AI enablement. The role partners closely with Executive Leadership and strategic vendors, including Microsoft, to drive alignment between business objectives, investment decisions, and delivery outcomes. Central to success is the ability to engage senior stakeholders, ensure transparency and accountability, and accelerate cloud adoption—ultimately enabling TAL to operate as a modern, data-driven, and AI-enabled enterprise.

In this role you will:

• Lead the end-to-end application migration strategy and execution, including portfolio assessment, migration wave planning and execution governance
• Establish and lead executive governance forums, including SteerCo, ensuring clear visibility of progress, risks and decisions required
• Provide end-to-end oversight of application migration risks, including operational, regulatory and customer impacts
• Lead executive engagement with Microsoft and key delivery partners, ensuring alignment to migration strategy and outcomes
• Ensure application migration is fully integrated with target cloud architecture, platform engineering and data strategy
• Oversee business readiness and adoption for migrated applications, ensuring continuity and value realisation

Qualifications

• Understanding of cloud platforms and infrastructure (e.g. Azure, AWS)
• Experience across application modernisation, data platforms and AI enablement
• Proven experience leading large-scale enterprise transformation programs (cloud, data or platform)
• Strong background in cloud modernisation and platform transformation initiatives
• Demonstrated experience operating at a senior executive level
• Proven experience in managing large vendor relationships
• Experience in managing complex, multi-stream delivery programs

Additional Information

TAL is one of Australia’s leading life insurers, committed to inclusion, and supporting the career growth of our diverse workforce. We’re proud to be:  

• An Inclusive Employer – Recognised as Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency from 2014 to 2025 and 2023 to 2026 Bronze Tier Status within the Australian Workplace Equality Index  
• Diversity Champions – Member of Diversity Council Australia, Australian Disability Network, Pride in Diversity and Champions of Change  
• Reconciliation Advocates – Read our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan. 
• We welcome applications from people with diverse experiences, perspectives and backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, caregivers, individuals with disability/ies, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and the LGBTQ+ community.  
• Need adjustments during the recruitment process? Let our team know by getting in touch with us here.—we’re here to support you. 

You’re always accountable for your actions. You never give up. You strive to find the best outcomes for customers and partners. And you value working together to find the best solutions for problems.   

As part of the recruitment process, there are several checks which may be conducted to demonstrate your eligibility for a role at TAL including Criminal History, Bankruptcy, Entitlement to Work, Regulatory and Reference Checks.  

#LI-Hybrid  

Everyone at TAL has a responsibility to do the right thing and is accountable for the way they conduct themselves. Our expectations are that you follow the principles set out in our Code of Conduct when you come to work every day. Risk management is everyone’s responsibility.

If you are already a TAL employee please apply via the SmartRecruiters button in Workday and navigate to the Employee Portal. This is important to ensure that your application is recorded accurately.