Manulife is seeking a Manager, Information Risk Management to lead the execution of independent second‑line challenge and oversight activities across technology, data, and operational risk. Reporting to Director, IRM, IRO, this role provides expert-level analysis, challenge, and governance scrutiny to ensure first‑line risk practices meet Manulife’s risk appetite, standards, and regulatory expectations.
This is a Second Line of Defense (2LOD) role focused exclusively on objective oversight and challenge—not first‑line risk management, execution, or control operation.
As a manager, the role serves as a trusted advisor to functional risk teams, centers of excellence, and senior technology/data leaders.
Position Responsibilities:
Provide independent second line challenge of first line risk assessments, controls, and risk decisions.
Assess adequacy of technology, data, and operational risk practices against standards and regulatory expectations.
Develop clear, evidence‑based second line risk opinions and escalate material issues with recommendations.
Perform deep‑dive RCSA reviews and challenge risk ratings, control assertions, and completeness of assessments.
Identify underassessed risks, weak controls, and cross‑assessment inconsistencies.
Challenge vendor due diligence, inherent risk scoring, and oversight adequacy for cloud, SaaS, and critical providers.
Review major technology initiatives and platform changes for risk impacts and sufficiency of mitigation plans.
Evaluate risks associated with architecture changes, new solutions, and implementation activities.
Review incidents, classifications, RCA quality, and recurrence prevention measures.
Assess and challenge risk acceptances and corrective action plans for feasibility and urgency.
Validate CAP closure evidence as part of second line review.
Review business continuity plans, DR test results, and resilience capabilities, challenging gaps and assumptions.
Analyze enterprise risk data to identify systemic issues, trends, and emerging risks.
Use Generative/Agentic AI and automation tools to enhance oversight efficiency and thematic analysis.
Communicate challenge outcomes clearly, advise stakeholders, and represent second line in risk discussions and governance forums.
Required Qualifications:
6–10+ years of experience in Information Risk, Technology Risk, Cyber Risk, GRC, or Operational Risk.
Experience performing independent second‑line oversight or audit-style review activities.
Strong understanding of technology, data, cloud, infrastructure, and operational resilience risks.
Ability to evaluate complex risk scenarios and form well‑supported second‑line opinions.
Experience with risk programs (RCSA, third‑party risk, issues, incidents, BC/DR, change risk).
Familiarity with GRC platforms such as Archer, ServiceNow, or Fusion.
Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and standards (ISO, NIST, COBIT, CSA/CCM, OSFI, etc.).
Exposure to Generative AI, Agentic AI, automation tools, or continuous monitoring technologies.
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 hr@manulife.com.
Working Arrangement