Head of AI and Data

The Head of AI and Data, China is a strategic executive leader responsible for driving Manulife China’s transformation into a Data- and AI-driven organisation. This role oversees the development and execution of advanced analytics, AI, and data platform strategies, ensuring robust governance, operational excellence, and alignment with business objectives.

The role will also build organisation-wide AI literacy and adoption, develop strategic ecosystem partnerships, and engage proactively with regulators and industry bodies to support responsible innovation and help shape the future of AI in China. The incumbent will champion innovation, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and position Manulife as an industry leader in leveraging AI and Data for competitive advantage.

Position Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Formulate and execute a comprehensive data, analytics, and AI strategy aligned with Manulife China’s business objectives and integrates within the broader Manulife Asia AI and Data strategies.

• Partner with the China Senior Leadership Team to identify and redesign priority end-to-end business processes, moving beyond individual use cases to deliver measurable and significant impact on growth, customer outcomes and productivity.

• Integrate emerging AI and Data technologies, including cloud-based solutions, to enhance scalability, security, and customer experience.

• Build organisation-wide AI and Data literacy and adoption through a structured capability-building and change programme, equipping leaders and employees to use AI responsibly and embed new ways of working at scale.

• Lead the integration of AI and Data initiatives across various business units. Engage key stakeholders to ensure cohesive and unified data strategies that drive informed decision-making and foster innovation.

Platform & Governance

• Design and maintain scalable, resilient data infrastructure supporting business growth and regulatory compliance with alignment to Manulife’s Asia strategy

• Alignment to enterprise model and AI policies to ensure compliance with all relevant standards including both global Manulife policies and local regulatory requirements

• Establish and enforce comprehensive data governance frameworks, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, security, and compliance with all relevant standards.

• Implement structured data ownership models, assigning accountability to business units and fostering a culture of data stewardship.

• Oversee data quality management, metadata management, and data lineage tracking.

Advanced Analytics & AI

• Lead teams of data scientists, ML engineers, and data professionals to build and deploy advanced analytics and AI solutions across multiple domains.
• Develop and implement cutting-edge AI solutions to solve complex business challenges.
• Standardize processes, techniques, and tools for analytics and AI, sharing best practices locally and globally.
• Drive enterprise adoption and value realisation of AI, Data and analytics solutions, with clear business ownership, workforce adoption plans and benefits tracking against agreed growth, customer and productivity outcomes.

Program & Project Delivery

• Oversee end-to-end delivery of AI and Data transformation initiatives, from process redesign and technology deployment through change adoption and benefits realisation, ensuring delivery on time, within budget and against agreed business outcomes.

• Manage a significant data delivery portfolio, orchestrating efforts across multiple squads and functions.

• Collaborate with PMO, IT, and business units and regional teams to ensure resource optimization, risk management, and successful project outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement & Team Leadership

• Build and nurture high-performing teams, providing clear direction, coaching, and professional development opportunities.

• Engage senior executives and business leaders to secure shared ownership of end-to-end transformation priorities and measurable business outcomes.

• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with technology providers, fintechs and insurtechs, hyperscalers, academia and other ecosystem partners to accelerate AI innovation, capability development and deployment.

• Engage proactively with the relevant industry bodies on emerging AI policy, regulation, standards and industry initiatives, representing Manulife’s perspectives and helping shape the future of responsible AI in China.

• Communicate complex AI and Data concepts effectively to non-technical audiences, fostering collaboration and support.

Performance Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and monitor a value-realisation framework for AI and Data transformation, including agreed baselines and KPIs for growth, customer outcomes, productivity, adoption and risk, and report progress and realised benefits to senior management.

• Conduct regular audits and evaluations to ensure ongoing improvement in data quality, system performance, and business impact.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 12 years’ leadership experience in data platforms, analytics, AI, and governance, preferably in insurance or financial services.

• Proven track record in designing and implementing AI and Data strategies, driving digital transformation, and managing large-scale portfolios.

• Demonstrated success in leading enterprise-wide process transformation and translating AI investment into measurable growth, customer, productivity and workforce adoption outcomes.

• Deep understanding of the insurance industry, market trends, and regulatory landscape in Asia.

• Expertise in cloud data solutions, advanced analytics platforms (Python, R, ML frameworks), and emerging AI technologies.

• Strong strategic planning, execution, and stakeholder management skills.

• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and team leadership abilities.

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, Mathematics, Business Administration, or related field; MBA or relevant certifications are a plus.

When you join our team:

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [email protected].

Hybrid