Head of Operational Risk and Resilience Management, Asia

Role Summary

Reporting to the Chief Risk Officer, Asia, with a matrix reporting line to the Global Head of Operational Risk & Resilience Oversight, the Head of Asia Operational Risk & Resilience Management (ORRM) leads the independent oversight of operational risk and resilience across the Asia segment.

This role is responsible for providing effective challenge, governance, and oversight across key operational risk domains, including operational resilience, business continuity, change delivery risk, AI operational risk, third-party risk, business process and execution risk, and fraud risk. The incumbent will work closely with regional and market leadership teams to strengthen risk management capabilities, drive a strong risk culture, and ensure alignment with Manulife's risk appetite and global standards.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Oversight & Governance

• Lead the implementation and oversight of the Asia Operational Risk & Resilience Management Framework and associated policies and standards.
• Provide independent challenge and oversight across key operational risk programs, including:
  • Risk and Control Self-Assessment (RCSA)
  • Operational Incident and Loss Event Management
  • Key Risk Indicators (KRIs)
  • Scenario Analysis
  • Operational Resilience and Business Continuity Management
  • Third-Party Risk Management
  • Risk Governance and Reporting
• Review and challenge risk assessments, metrics, incidents, and other risk information to ensure emerging and material risks are appropriately identified, managed, and escalated.

Strategic Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Partner with Asia and market leadership teams to strengthen operational risk and resilience capabilities across the region.
• Influence and gain alignment from senior stakeholders, including local CROs and Executive Leadership Teams, to drive consistent adoption of risk management programs.
• Represent Asia in Global and Regional Operational Risk governance forums and contribute to the development of global policies, standards, and best practices.

Innovation & Risk Culture

• Champion the responsible adoption of AI and automation to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of operational risk management activities.
• Promote a strong risk culture by providing thought leadership, guidance, and capability-building across the Asia segment.

People Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing regional team of Operational Risk & Resilience professionals.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement while supporting talent development and succession planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, Accounting, or a related discipline. Relevant professional designation (e.g., FRM, PRM, CPA, CIA, CISA, CRISC) preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in Operational Risk Management, Enterprise Risk, Audit, or related disciplines within financial services, insurance, banking, or other highly regulated industries.
• Deep knowledge of operational risk and resilience frameworks, including OSFI Guideline E-21 and/or equivalent international regulatory standards.
• Strong understanding of operational risk methodologies, including risk and control assessments, incident and loss event management, operational resilience, business continuity management, third-party risk management, and risk governance.
• Knowledge of emerging risks, including AI-related operational risks, technology risk, cyber resilience, and third-party ecosystem risk.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive alignment across complex, matrixed, and multi-market environments.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated leadership experience developing high-performing teams and fostering a strong risk culture.
• Strong understanding of and commitment to leveraging AI and automation to enhance risk management effectiveness and efficiency.

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].

Working Arrangement