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Head of Data Architecture, Asia Data Office
To support the accelerated build-out of a unified, scalable, and AI-ready data ecosystem across Asia, we are seeking a Head of Data Architecture (Director Level) to serve as the regional authority for enterprise data and AI architecture.
This role will define, govern, and drive the end-to-end data and AI architecture strategy, while also owning solution architecture for critical initiatives, ensuring scalable, secure, and production-ready delivery aligned with global standards and regional regulatory requirements.
As a capability leader within Asia Data Office, this role bridges strategy and execution, driving architectural consistency, enabling platform modernization, and ensuring adoption of cloud-native data platforms and AI/GenAI capabilities across markets.
Position Responsibilities:
1. Strategy & Architecture Leadership
Define and lead the Asia enterprise data & AI architecture vision, strategy, and roadmap
Establish target state architecture for data, analytics, and AI platforms
Drive architectural alignment with global standards, regulatory requirements, and business strategy
Lead architecture decision-making, including trade-offs, investments, and technology choices
2. End-to-End Solution Ownership
Own end-to-end solution architecture for key data, analytics, and AI initiatives
Ensure solutions are scalable, modular, secure, and production-ready
Guide delivery teams across markets to ensure design integrity and consistency
Act as the final design authority for high-impact programs
3. Platform & Technology Architecture
Design and govern cloud-native data and AI platforms across Azure and Alicloud
Drive adoption of modern data architectures (Data Fabric, Lakehouse, Data Mesh where applicable)
Establish reusable architecture blueprints, patterns, and accelerators
Including GenAI, RAG, feature stores, and MLOps patterns
Ensure integration with enterprise platforms (PAS, CRM, Claims, Digital
4. Data Governance & Standards
Standardize data models, pipelines, and lifecycle management practices
Enforce enterprise standards for:
Data quality, lineage, metadata, cataloguing
Master/reference data management
Data interoperability across markets
Define and embed data governance-by-design principles
5. Security, Privacy & Responsible AI
Establish and enforce data security, privacy, and compliance controls
Alignment with regional regulations (e.g., India DPDP, China CSL/PIPL, etc.)
Define and operationalize Responsible AI frameworks
Ensure architecture supports auditability, transparency, and risk controls
6. Governance & Operating Model
Lead architecture governance forums and design authorities
Drive cross-market alignment and reuse of capabilities
Institutionalize architecture guardrails, fitness functions, and automated compliance checks
Support vendor and platform selection through architecture oversight and evaluation frameworks
7. Stakeholder & Leadership Engagement
Partner with IT, Data, AI, Security, and Business leaders from across Global, Regional and Local level
Act as a trusted advisor to CIO, CDO, and senior stakeholders
Influence program direction and ensure technology investments align with long-term architecture vision
Collaborate with global architecture teams for standardization and reuse
8. Team & Capability Development
Lead and mentor a regional team of data solution architects
Build capability maturity across markets
Drive adoption of modern engineering and architecture practices
Required Qualifications:
20+ years of experience in data, analytics, and enterprise architecture
3–5 years in a leadership role (Head, Lead Architect, or equivalent)
Proven experience in defining and delivering enterprise-scale data and AI platforms
Strong experience with:
Cloud platforms (Azure required, Alicloud preferred)
Data architecture paradigms (Lakehouse, Data Fabric, Data Mesh)
AI/ML and GenAI architectures (including RAG, MLOps)
Experience in financial services / insurance domain
Exposure to Asia markets and regulatory environments
Experience in greenfield transformation or large-scale platform modernization
Familiarity with enterprise integration patterns and distributed architectures
Strategic thinking with execution focus
Strong architecture governance and decision-making ability
Deep technical expertise in modern data & AI ecosystems
Stakeholder influence and executive communication
Ability to operate in a federated, multi-market environment
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
