Senior IT Project Manager

At Manulife, data is a critical strategic focus.  Delivering the right solutions to ensure all levels of the organization are making data-driven decisions is key to Manulife’s success.

We are looking for an experienced Senior IT Data Project Manager to lead and manage data-centric projects within our organization, including AI, digital, business intelligence and other initiatives. This role involves planning, executing, and delivering data projects on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in project management, a strong understanding of data technologies, and excellent leadership and communication skills.  We offer opportunity to lead innovative and impactful data projects, working with a talented and dynamic team in a collaborative environment.

If you are a seasoned IT Data Project Manager with a passion for leading data-driven initiatives and delivering high-quality results, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Position Responsibilities

Project Planning and Management

• Develop comprehensive project plans for AI and other data initiatives, including scope, objectives, data requirements, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Define success criteria for AI and other data solutions, ensuring alignment with business goals and measurable outcomes.
• Identify and manage project risks, issues, and dependencies. Work with project teams for resolutions and mitigations

Execution and Delivery of Projects

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of AI and other data projects, from data ingestion and data curation to deployment and go-live.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including data architects, data engineers, data testers and IT/business stakeholders to ensure timely and effective execution.
• Monitor project progress and adjust plans dynamically based on project outcome and stakeholder feedback.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary liaison between data team and business, AI, and IT teams, translating complex business requirements and AI concepts into actionable tasks.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement through demos and regular status updates.
• Manage expectations around data and AI capabilities and limitations, ensuring transparency and trust in the outcomes.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of experimentation and continuous learning.
• Assign roles based on expertise in data architecture, data engineering, data platform, data testing and domain knowledge.
• Provide mentorship on agile development practices and company SDLC standards.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Ensure project deliverables meet quality standards, including accuracy, completeness and timeliness.
• Ensure adherence with data security, data privacy regulations, data governance standards, and other company compliance requirements and best practices.

Budget and Resource Optimization

• Develop and manage budgets for data and AI projects, accounting for labour and infrastructure costs.
• Track expenditures and optimize resource usage through intelligent workload planning and automation.
• Adjust resource allocation to maximize business impact.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

• Identify opportunities to improve data and AI delivery processes through automation and other best practices.
• Conduct post-implementation reviews to capture lessons learned and refine future data and AI project methodologies.
• Stay current with advancements in data and AI technologies, tools to drive innovation and strategic value.

Required Qualifications:

• Educational Background:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Management, or a related field.
  • Advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, Agile) are advantageous.
• Technical Skills:
  • Strong understanding of data management, data warehousing, and data analytics technologies.
  • Familiarity with Cloud based big data technologies (e.g. SQL, Python, Spark, DataBricks, DataFactory) and cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, Google Cloud).
  • Knowledge on AI technologies (e.g. ChatGPT, Qwen, Gemini, etc)
  • Proficiency in project management tools and software (e.g., JIRA, Confluence, Sharepoint, SmartSheet).
• Project Management Skills:
  • Proven track record of managing complex data projects, from initiation to closure.
  • Strong planning, organizational, and time management skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Team management and Interpersonal Skills:
  • Excellent team management abilities.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with project stakeholders
  • Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with team members, stakeholders, and vendors.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:
  • Strong analytical skills to assess project performance and identify improvement opportunities.
  • Ability to solve complex problems and make informed decisions under pressure.
• Experience:
  • 8+ years of experience in IT project management, with a focus on data and AI projects.
  • Demonstrated experience in leading and delivering successful data projects.
  • Experience in agile project management methodologies is a plus.
  • Experience with machine learning and data science projects is an advantage.
  • Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements related to data privacy and security
  • Proficiency in Cantonese and Mandarin is an asset

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.

Hybrid