Lead Security Architect (Director level, individual contributor)

At Manulife, we are changing the way we unlock value and secure the enterprise through technology and we want you to be part of it! We are growing our cybersecurity program with the vision to deliver quality applications using AI that add value to our customers, faster and securely, at scale. The customer is at the focus of everything we do, and millions of end users rely on our products daily. We are building a state-of-the-art cybersecurity program to better protect the firm's critical assets.

As a Lead Security Architect, you'll be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing robust security strategies and solutions to protect Manulife's digital assets from advanced cyber threats. In this hub-and-spoke model, you will report to the Chief Security Architect and will be the dedicated security architecture lead for a specific business unit, ensuring alignment with the global security framework while addressing the unique needs of the segment. You will play a crucial role in shaping our global security posture and ensuring security is a foundational element of our technology and business initiatives.

Office location: Toronto - Canada (ideal) or Boston - USA.

Work arrangement: Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days from Home); Remote working option is not available.

Travel Flexibility: Willingness and ability to travel within Canada and USA to support business operations and stakeholder engagement.

Position Responsibilities:

• Architectural Design: Lead the design and development of robust security frameworks, standards, and best practices for global systems, data, and networks. This includes creating reference architectures and implementation patterns for security solutions.

• Strategic Planning: Translate business, technology, and threat drivers into practical security roadmaps. You'll ensure our security strategy is aligned with broader organizational goals.

• Financial Analysis: Conduct financial evaluations of security technologies, including quantifying purchasing and licensing options, estimating labor costs, and calculating the total cost of ownership (TCO), return on investment (ROI), or payback period.

• Project Management: Draft project plans for security service and technology deployments and coordinate with stakeholders across the organization to ensure successful implementation.

• Collaboration & Integration: Work closely with various teams across Manulife's business and IT units-including enterprise architecture, development, and risk management-to seamlessly integrate security throughout the entire project lifecycle.

• Risk Management: Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and define necessary controls. Partner with global information risk management teams to prioritize and mitigate risks effectively.

• Security Evaluation: Continuously evaluate the security of new and emerging technologies and potential solutions. You will stay ahead of the curve on cybersecurity trends to recommend and implement innovative solutions.

• Mentorship & Communication: Act as a security subject matter expert, coaching and mentoring development teams. You will also communicate complex security standards and strategies to both technical staff and senior management with clarity and influence.

• AI Security: Design and implement security frameworks for Machine Learning (ML), Generative AI (GenAI), and Agentic AI systems. Evaluate AI-powered security tools and integrate artificial intelligence capabilities into security operations and threat detection.

• Domain-Specific Accountabilities:

• Application Security: Assess solution architectures for compliance with security standards, define secure service interfaces, and provide guidance to application security engineers on threat modelling and secure software development methodologies.

• Cloud Security: Provide deep expertise in securing multi-cloud computing environments (SaaS, IaaS, PaaS), with a strong focus on platforms like Microsoft Azure and AWS.

Required Qualifications:

• To succeed in this role, a candidate must have a strong blend of technical expertise, professional experience, and interpersonal skills.

• Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, information systems, cybersecurity, or a related field.

• Relevant industry certifications such as CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) or CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional) are required.

• Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience specifically in senior information security architecture roles, with demonstrated progression in responsibility and complexity.

• Proven experience in the financial services industry, with understanding of regulatory requirements, compliance frameworks, and industry-specific security challenges.

• Experience in using architecture methodologies such as SABSA, Zachman, and/or TOGAF.

• Direct, hands-on experience or strong working knowledge of managing security infrastructure-e.g., firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPSs), web application firewalls (WAFs), endpoint protection, SIEM, and log management technology.

• Verifiable experience reviewing application code for security vulnerabilities.

• Experience securing CI/CD pipelines.

• Direct, hands-on experience or a strong working knowledge of vulnerability management tools.

• Documented experience and a strong working knowledge of the methodologies to conduct threat-modelling exercises on new applications and services.

• Experience designing the deployment of applications and infrastructure into public cloud services.

• Direct experience designing IAM technologies and services, including Active Directory, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), and Amazon Web Service (AWS) IAM.

• Extensive knowledge of full-stack IT infrastructure, including:

• Applications

• Databases

• Operating systems-Windows, Unix, and Linux

• Hypervisors

• IP networks-WAN and LAN

• Storage networks-Fibre Channel, iSCSI, and NAS

• Backup networks and media

• Containers/Kubernetes

• Soft Skills:

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are crucial for articulating complex technical concepts and influencing stakeholders at all levels. You must be able to translate complex security matters into business terms that are easily understood by colleagues and senior management.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

• Collaboration: The capacity to balance competing priorities and maintain a collaborative and positive attitude.

• Travel Flexibility: Willingness and ability to travel within Canada and USA to support business operations and stakeholder engagement

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience from large complex environment is highly preferred but not a must.

• Experience from large financial Org’s is a definite plus but not a must.

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 recruitment@manulife.com.

Referenced Salary Location

Salary range is expected to be between

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact recruitment@manulife.com for the salary range for your location. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact recruitment@manulife.com for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.