Director Canada Risk Oversight in Halifax

The Director, Canada Risk Oversight, is responsible for providing independent second-line risk oversight and effective challenge to the Group Benefits business. Reporting to Canada Segment Risk, the role works closely with business and operational partners to identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate risk while supporting a strong and sustainable control environment.

The successful candidate will provide oversight across a broad range of risk management activities, including risk and control assessments, issue management, change risk, third-party risk, operational resilience, regulatory initiatives, and emerging risk assessments. This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of strategy, operations, and risk, influencing outcomes across one of Manulife's largest and most complex businesses.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide independent risk oversight and effective challenge to business and operational partners across the Group Benefits organization.
• Assess and monitor operational, regulatory, strategic, and emerging risks and their potential impact on the business.
• Support and oversee key risk management programs, including risk and control self-assessments (RCSAs), issue and corrective action management, change risk, third-party risk, operational resilience, and critical operations.
• Review and challenge risk assessments, control environments, and mitigation strategies to ensure risks are appropriately identified and managed.
• Analyze risk trends, themes, and emerging issues and communicate insights to senior leaders and governance committees.
• Partner with first-line stakeholders to strengthen risk management practices and improve control effectiveness.
• Support regulatory reviews, audits, investigations, and other governance activities as required.
• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of risk management frameworks, methodologies, and reporting across Canada Segment Risk.

Required Qualifications

• 8-10+ years of experience in risk management, audit, compliance, operations, or the insurance industry.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of Group Benefits products, operations, claims, underwriting, plan administration, and associated risks.
• Demonstrated understanding of operational risk management frameworks, governance practices, and control environments.
• Proven ability to provide constructive challenge and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing materials for senior management and governance committees.
• Bilingualism (English and French) is a strong asset. If the successful candidate is in Québec, proficiency in both languages will be required to support clients from various provinces outside of Québec.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience within Group Benefits, Group Insurance, Disability, Health & Dental, Plan Sponsor Services, or Claims Operations.
• Professional designation such as CPA, CIA, CRMA, CRM, or equivalent.
• Experience within a federally regulated financial institution.
• Familiarity with GRC platforms such as Archer.
• Knowledge of regulatory expectations related to operational risk, third-party risk, operational resilience, and risk governance.
• Experience supporting large-scale business transformations, strategic initiatives, or regulatory change programs.

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.

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. 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.