Director – Audit Services

Audit and Advisory Services is an integral part of Manulife’s governance and risk management framework. We provide independent, objective and strategic assurance and advice that helps protect our customers and strengthens the decisions of senior leaders and the Board. As Regional Audit Director, you will lead this work across Insurance and Global Wealth & Asset Management (GWAM) in Asia, in a team that is committed to excellence, innovation and growth.

The opportunity

• Visibility and influence: Work directly with members of the Asia Leadership Team (ALT) and Global Leadership Team (GLT), and with senior leaders across the Insurance and GWAM segments. You will represent Audit and Advisory Services in regional Risk Committees and Executive Management meetings.
• Regional and global scope: Lead regional, global and thematic audits and advisory work across Asia and beyond, with the trust to operate with minimal supervision.
• Innovation: Use a centralized GRC tool, data analytics, machine learning, Python and GenAI to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our audit and advisory work.
• A multicultural team: Collaborate with colleagues across more than 10 locations in Asia and globally, and gain exposure to a rich variety of cultures and perspectives.

Position Responsibilities:

• Strategy and planning
  • Prepare the bi-annual audit and advisory plan, based on risk assessment and applicable regulatory requirements, for the assigned Insurance and GWAM areas across Asia.
  • Lead or support departmental, Asia-wide, regional and global initiatives.
• Stakeholder leadership
  • Own relationships with senior stakeholders of the assigned Insurance and GWAM areas, segments and countries, including regional and global leadership.
  • Present audit issues and observations to regional and global senior management, reach agreement with them, and make practical, value-added recommendations to improve the control environment and the efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
  • Represent Audit and Advisory Services in regional Risk Committees and Executive Management meetings, as and when necessary.
  • Follow up regularly with business unit, regional and global management on corrective action plans, to support timely issue closure.
• Audit and advisory delivery
  • Plan, direct and oversee audit and advisory engagements (key risk audits, key risk reviews, AML, SOX and advisory) in line with Manulife’s audit methodology and the IIA Standards, including regional, global, thematic and highly complex engagements from planning through fieldwork to reporting.
  • Evaluate the adequacy of risk management and internal controls and ensure audit issues are based on factual and complete information, with root cause analysis performed.
  • Manage engagements within time budgets and target dates and ensure that work is of high quality and that reports are clear, concise and well organized.
• Innovation
  • Lead the team in using data analytics techniques and GenAI to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the audit and advisory process.
• People leadership
  • Review key working papers, and coach and develop audit team members.
  • Recruit talent and monitor the departments and the team’s KPIs.

Required Qualifications:

With our expanded advisory mandate, we welcome candidates from both audit and non-audit backgrounds. Prior internal audit experience is not required if you bring deep expertise in a relevant discipline and the ability to apply it in an independent, objective way. Audit methodology and IIA Standards training will be provided.

• A university degree and at least 10 years of relevant experience in the Financial Services industry, preferably in insurance and wealth and investment management. Experience may be in internal or external audit, or in risk management, compliance, actuarial, finance, technology, data and analytics, operations, sales and distribution, or other business or subject-matter roles.
• A recognized professional designation relevant to your discipline, such as accounting or auditing (CPA, CA, ACCA, CIA, CISA), actuarial (FSA, FIA), risk or investment, or equivalent demonstrated expertise. Candidates without an audit designation are encouraged to pursue one (e.g. CIA) after joining, with support from the department.
• Strong knowledge of life insurance and/or asset management, together with a solid understanding of risk management practices and control frameworks. Familiarity with audit methodologies and SOX requirements is an asset; training will be provided for candidates from non-audit backgrounds.
• Deep subject-matter expertise in at least one business or control area covered by our Insurance and GWAM audit and advisory work in Asia, such as: sales and distribution (agency, bancassurance, brokers) and conduct; product governance and regulatory compliance; underwriting, claims and policy servicing; finance, financial reporting and SOX; disbursements, payments and fraud; AML and sanctions; investment and asset management, including fund operations and general account investments; or third-party and outsourcing risk. The ability to apply this expertise to assess risks and controls and to advise management is essential.
• An advisory and problem-solving mindset: the ability to structure complex problems, deliver practical insights and recommendations that add value to the business, and maintain independence, objectivity and professional skepticism, including a willingness to learn the audit and advisory methodology and IIA Standards.
• Asia regional experience in the Financial Services industry.
• Proven leadership and people management skills, and a collaborative approach: willing to share knowledge, give and seek timely feedback, and challenge the status quo to drive continuous improvement.
• Proven relationship management skills, with the ability to collaborate across business units in a multicultural environment, resolve conflicts, and deal effectively with staff at all levels up to VP or equivalent.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to listen to and consider the ideas of others. Fluency in spoken and written English is a must.
• Ability to quickly understand business processes and risks, identify key controls, analyze complex situations and make practical recommendations.
• Results-oriented, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and projects.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience engaging with senior regional and global stakeholders across Insurance and GWAM.
• Experience in internal audit, including working knowledge of audit methodology, IIA Standards and SOX, or a CIA designation.
• Experience in consulting, advisory, transformation, project delivery or secondment/rotation roles that involved working across functions and geographies.
• Knowledge of data analysis tools and GenAI.
• An understanding of the Financial Services industry, applicable regulations and related risks.
• Exposure to sales and product compliance.
• Fluency in one or more Asian languages.

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