Manulife

Director, AI Asset Management

Boston, Massachusetts Full time

The Director, AI Asset Management plays a mission-critical role in shaping how our organization harnesses artificial intelligence to enhance fundamental investing decisions across our multi-asset portfolios. This leader will assist the Global Head, AI Asset Management in overseeing the strategy, governance, and performance of our proprietary AI-driven investing platform, ensuring it delivers actionable insights, robust analytics, and a sustained competitive advantage in the pursuit of long-term financial performance.

Combining deep investment acumen with technological leadership, the Director will guide cross-functional teams that bridge investment research, data science, and product development. This role demands a visionary leader who can balance innovation with operational discipline—advancing our capabilities in predictive modeling, alternative data integration, and AI-assisted investment strategies.

 

Position Responsibilities: 

1. Leadership & Team Management (30%)

  • Lead and mentor a team of AI product managers, quantitative researchers, data scientists, and technologists focused on advancing our AI investment platform.
  • Build a collaborative culture that merges data science excellence with fundamental investment insight.
  • Define clear performance metrics and accountability frameworks for AI research, model delivery, and portfolio integration.
  • Act as a strategic advisor to senior investment leaders on AI’s evolving role in portfolio management and research workflows.

2. Product Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration (40%)

  • Oversee the full lifecycle of the firm’s proprietary AI investing tool, from research and model development to deployment, monitoring, and enhancement.
  • Partner closely with portfolio managers, analysts, and risk teams to identify high-value use cases for AI—such as company scoring models, macroeconomic signal generation, or ESG factor analysis.
  • Ensure data quality, transparency, and explainability in all AI models used for investment decisions.
  • Collaborate with technology, compliance, and enterprise data teams to align the AI platform with regulatory, ethical, and infrastructure standards.
  • Translate business and investment objectives into technical requirements, prioritizing roadmap initiatives that maximize strategic impact.

3. Corporate Administration & Executive Leadership Support (30%)

  • Serve as a strategic interface between investment leadership, technology executives, and the board—providing clear reporting on AI strategy, progress, and business outcomes.
  • Lead budget planning, resource allocation, and vendor relationships related to AI infrastructure, alternative data sources, and analytics partnerships.
  • Support enterprise initiatives around digital transformation, investment modernization, and responsible AI governance.
  • Prepare executive briefings, thought leadership, and whitepapers on AI trends in fundamental investing and asset management.
  • Oversee the full lifecycle of the firm’s proprietary AI investing tool, from research and model development to deployment, monitoring, and enhancement.
  • Partner closely with portfolio managers, analysts, and risk teams to identify high-value use cases for AI—such as company scoring models, macroeconomic signal generation, or ESG factor analysis.
  • Ensure data quality, transparency, and explainability in all AI models used for investment decisions.
  • Collaborate with technology, compliance, and enterprise data teams to align the AI platform with regulatory, ethical, and infrastructure standards.
  • Translate business and investment objectives into technical requirements, prioritizing roadmap initiatives that maximize strategic impact.

Required Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, or a related field; MBA or advanced quantitative degree preferred.
  • 10+ years of experience in asset management, investment technology, or analytics, with demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and communications.

 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Demonstrated understanding of investment concepts, including some exposure to quantitative methods.
  • Deep understanding of fundamental investing principles and how AI/ML can augment research, valuation, and portfolio construction processes.
  • Proven expertise in product management, data governance, and product lifecycle management within a regulated financial environment.
  • Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills—capable of influencing across investment, technology, and executive domains.
  • Familiarity with Python, cloud data platforms, and modern ML frameworks is advantageous.
  • Experience supporting sales and client relationships in an institutional investment setting is a plus.

 

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. 

 

#LI-Hybrid 

 

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

Boston, Massachusetts

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$124,250.00 USD - $230,750.00 USD

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/John Hancock 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/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.

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Company: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)