Operations Risk & Control Governance Lead

The Opportunity:

The Senior Operations Risk Manager of Manulife Bermuda Line 1B provides strategic leadership and operational risk expertise across the Manulife Bermuda business and Global High Net Worth(GHNW) segment. This role is responsible for ensuring operational controls, regulatory standards, and risk governance frameworks are effectively implemented and monitored globally.

The individual will drive risk and control programs, including Risk & Control Self-Assessments (RCSA), control testing, and incident management, while fostering a strong risk culture and partnering with senior business leaders to mitigate operational risks.

This role supports a global function and has expectations of global hours.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead global Line 1B operational risk and control initiatives, including RCSA workshops, control testing, and remediation planning.

• Identify high-risk operational processes and facilitate development of risk assessments, workflow procedures, and controls aligned with strategic objectives.

• Oversee incident management processes, ensuring timely evaluation of control breakdowns and updating RCSAs accordingly.

• Monitor and test controls to assess design and effectiveness; report KPI performance to global management.

Shared Accountabilities

• Partner with global and regional teams to support risk governance programs and regulatory compliance.

• Provide expert advice and challenge on operational risk management initiatives.

• Prepare and present risk reports, governance materials, and management updates for senior leadership.

• Promote risk awareness and culture through training and communication across GHNW markets.

• Maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including Operations, Compliance, Internal Audit, and regulators.

Leadership Behaviors

• Demonstrates uncompromising integrity and adherence to Code of Ethics.

• Strategic thinker with ability to plan and execute complex risk programs globally.

• Trusted business partner with pragmatic approach to risk management.

• Abilty to identify and drive process improvements.

• Builds strong stakeholder relationships and communicates effectively across all levels

• Implement new group policies and local regulatory requirements across Manulife Bermuda and applicable GHNW operations.

• Ensure annual review and approval of process documentation and semi-annual access control reviews.

• Working closely with internal and external auditors to support control understanding

• Drive operational resilience programs, including business continuity, record management, EUC controls, and third-party risk assessments.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent business experience.
• 8+ years in operational risk, internal/external audit, compliance, or quality assurance within insurance or financial services.
• Strong knowledge of operational risk frameworks, insurance operations, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in global or regional leadership roles within multinational organizations.
• Recognized professional certification in auditing or risk management preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Deep understanding of operational processes, risk, and controls.
• Proven ability to lead projects and business initiatives independently.
• Strong analytical and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Resilient and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.
• Understanding of AI

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.

The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

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 hr@manulife.com.

Referenced Salary Location

Salary range is expected to be between

Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. 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. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact hr@manulife.com for the salary range for your location.

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 hr@manulife.com for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.

We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our personal information collection statement.