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