General Description:
The Manulife Asia Finance organization provides financial discipline towards business execution, delivers on finance performance, including risk management, profitability, capital management and solvency, as well as acts as a trusted advisor to the business and to enable achievement of our strategic priorities.
This role will be part of Asia Finance Leadership team, reporting directly to Asia Regional CFO as well as sits on Myanmar Senior Management Team with matrix reporting to Asia Regional CA Myanmar GM.
The Chief Financial Officer & Chief Actuary is a dual-hatted executive role responsible for providing strategic leadership across finance, actuarial, risk management, capital management and investment operations. The role ensures the company’s financial strength, regulatory compliance, pricing discipline, solvency, and long-term sustainability, while supporting business growth in line with Myanmar’s regulatory and market environment.
This role is accountable to assist and provide sound advice and recommendations to the Country GM on strategic direction and business initiatives of the business unit. As part of the regional Finance management team, the incumbent also has an accountability to provide complete transparency into the financial performance of the business, to promptly escalate issues and concerns, and to actively challenge the business unit to deliver optimum performance.
This is a regulated role and is required to report to local Boards, as appropriate.
Responsibilities:
1. Financial Leadership & Strategy (CFO Accountabilities)
• Lead the overall financial strategy, aligning financial planning with business objectives and growth initiatives.
• Oversee and manage capital investment, financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Provide insightful financial analysis to support strategic decision-making, product development, and distribution strategies.
• Ensure effective cash flow, liquidity, and working capital management.
• Establish and maintain strong financial controls, governance frameworks, and internal policies.
• Oversee financial audits, statutory reporting, and liaison with external auditors.
• Ensure the accuracy of Country specific financial data presented to external parties via quarterly earnings and ad-hoc presentations.
• Monitor the emerging financial position of the operation in terms of earnings, expense performance, sales, and capital efficiency on a CIFRS and Country GAAP basis and work with the local management team to take corrective actions as required.
• Ensure pricing excellence with business acumen to maximize margin potential and optimize product competitiveness
• Manage the capital position of Manulife Country to ensure efficient capital usage and the operation is adequately capitalized for new business needs and reasonable external shocks.
• Lead tax planning and compliance, ensuring adherence to Myanmar tax laws and regulations.
• Support Board and CEO with financial performance reporting, business cases, and scenario analysis.
2. Actuarial Leadership & Technical Oversight (Chief Actuary Accountabilities)
• Assume statutory responsibility as Appointed/Chief Actuary, where required by local regulation.
• Oversee product pricing, product design, and profitability analysis, ensuring actuarial soundness and competitiveness.
• Lead valuation of insurance liabilities, reserves, and technical provisions in line with regulatory and accounting standards.
• Ensure adequacy of reserving, assumptions, and methodologies, with proper documentation and governance.
• Provide actuarial input into reinsurance strategy, treaty structuring, and negotiations.
• Oversee experience studies, assumption reviews, and portfolio performance monitoring.
• Certify actuarial reports required by regulators, Board, and senior management.
3. Advisory
• Provide advice to local and regional senior management on actuarial and finance matters.
• Contribute to business development including M&A, entering into new lines of business, new distribution channels etc.
• Oversee the investment management function jointly with Investment Division.
4. Business and functional efficiency
• Continuously drive for improvements in efficiency and reduced operating costs.
• Manage change, deliver Finance Transformation milestones and contribute to leadership of business wide change initiatives.
5. Risk management
• Monitor product and operational risk exposures and work with the management team to promote a healthy risk-aware culture with sound risk-taking initiatives and appropriate risk-mitigation measures.
• Ensure the finance, actuarial and investment management functions have effective internal controls and compliance with regulations and corporate standards.
• Work with regulators to influence the development of local regulations related to financial reporting, capital, and products.
6. Risk management
• As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to the leadership and strategic direction of the business unit.
• Take responsibility for the recruitment, development and motivation of Finance staff to achieve the current and future business objectives.
• Support the effective operation of the regional management team and cooperate in the execution of key regional initiatives.
• Ensure and promote efficient working relationships with regional and global share service centers.
Knowledge/Skills/Competencies/Education:
• Qualified actuary or accountant.
• In depth understanding with financial reporting requirements for an international life insurance company. Solid understanding of IFRS and local GAAP standards is preferred.
• Extensive insurance industry knowledge and experience, including functional processes and business practices.
• 10 - 15+ years finance experience in the life insurance industry, preferably with country and/or Region CFO experience.
• Proven leadership and people management track record.
• Proven experience operating as part of a senior top-level management team.
• Strategic mindset with strong collaborative approach.
• Ability to provide sound advice which balances short and long term financial and growth objectives to produce optimal results.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Proficiency in English is required.
Personal Attributes and Cultural Fit
• Exhibits the general competencies required of a senior executive at Manulife as described in the Leadership DNA model.
• Develops, inspires and motivates others.
• Role models in ethics and integrity.
• Ability to build a culture of respect.
• Highly effective change agent who embraces and leads management.
• Provides courageous advice.
• Results-driven; highly focused on accountability.
• Ability to handle multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrates a commitment to delivering excellent service balanced with appropriate risk management.
• Highly collaborative working style.
• Ability to coach, mentor and train local talents for their career development.
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.
Working Arrangement