Associate Director, Low Code Solutions Squad Lead

We are seeking an Associate Director, Low Code Solutions Squad Lead to lead the Asia Operations low‑code solutions portfolio across approximately 10 markets. This is a senior regional Operations role, report to the Head of Data Automation and Low-Code Solution, accountable for shaping strategy, prioritizing demand, and delivering scalable, reusable low‑code solutions that materially improve operational efficiency, risk control, and customer outcomes.

The role owns the end‑to‑end lifecycle of Operations‑led low‑code solutions, from demand intake through delivery, adoption, and value realization. The incumbent will lead a regional squad and is accountable for delivering 4–5 production‑ready solutions annually, with a strong focus on cross‑market reuse and long‑term sustainability.

This role partners closely with senior Operations leaders and stakeholders, while working in strong alignment with Technology teams to ensure compliance with enterprise architecture, security, and governance standards.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Regional Squad & Portfolio Leadership

• Lead the Asia Operations Low‑Code Solutions Squad, establishing clear priorities, delivery standards, and consistent ways of working across markets
• Own the regional low‑code solutions portfolio with end‑to‑end accountability from demand intake and prioritization through delivery and value realization
• Govern squad capacity, demand prioritization, and delivery sequencing across multiple markets and value streams
• Lead, coach, and develop low‑code and automation capabilities across markets, building a sustainable Operations talent pipeline
• Foster a strong culture of regional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and solution reuse to maximize cross‑market leverage
• Govern annual delivery capacity and solution throughput, balancing business value, complexity, risk, and scalability

2. Solution Design & Delivery Oversight

• Shape solution problem statements, scope, success measures, and expected operational benefits
• Priorities initiatives based on enterprise Operations value, rather than local optimization or technology-driven requests
• Oversee solution lifecycle activities including design, build coordination, testing, deployment, and stabilization
• Ensure clear ownership of outcomes, benefits tracking, and adoption within Operations
• Proactively identify and manage risks and issues and resolve cross-market or cross-team dependencies

3. Senior Stakeholder Management

• Act as a trusted partner to marketed Operations Heads and regional functional leaders (e.g. Servicing, Claims, Underwriting Operations, Contact Centers, New Business, Policy Administration)
• Provide structured updates to senior stakeholders on progress, risks, and benefits realization.
• Represent the low‑code portfolio in regional Operations governance and leadership forums
• Influence prioritization decisions through clear articulation of trade‑offs and long‑term operational impact

4. Technology Partnership & Governance Alignment

• Serve as the primary Operations interface to Technology partners, including IT delivery teams, data platforms, information security, architecture, and Power Platform CoE
• Ensure solutions comply with enterprise standards for architecture, security, data privacy, and ALM
• Reinforce clear accountability boundaries:
  • Operations: solution intent, prioritization, value, and adoption
  • Technology: platform enablement, integration, infrastructure, and controls
• Promote best practices in low‑code governance, reuse, environment strategy, and lifecycle management

5. Governance, Risk & Scalability

• Provide hands-on expertise and technical direction on Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Copilot Studio, Dataverse) as required
• Ensure all solutions comply with enterprise governance, including security, data privacy, architecture, and audit requirements
• Champion reuse, standard components, and shared assets to minimize technical debt and BAU overhead
• Partner with IT and platform owners to shape low‑code guardrails, ALM practices, and operating models suitable for Operations‑led delivery at scale

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline
• Professional certifications related to Microsoft Power Platform, Automation, Low‑Code Development, or Digital Transformation are an advantage
• Strong experience with Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Copilot Studio)
• Excellent executive communication, influence and decision‑making skills
• Director-level experience leading regional or enterprise-scale Operations, automation, or transformation initiatives
• 10+ years of experience working across Operations, Technology, or Transformation functions, with proven senior stakeholder engagement in Financial industry, preferred in insurance.
• Demonstrated experience leading solution portfolios or delivery squads, with accountability for outcomes rather than task execution
• Proven ability to manage multi-market complexity and influence senior leaders across geographies
• Fluent in English (spoken and written) for regional and senior‑stakeholder communication
• Working proficiency in Chinese (Mandarin and/or Cantonese) preferred, to effectively engage with Asia market stakeholders and squad members
• Ability to communicate complex technical and operational concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences

Preferred Qualifications:

• Financial services or insurance Operations experience
• Experience in App/low code solution ALM, security models, and CoE operating models
• Experience operating within enterprise governance, risk, and compliance frameworks
• Exposure to data platforms, Dataverse, Power BI, or analytics‑enabled decisioning
• Experience scaling solutions across multiple markets or regions
• Agile or hybrid delivery experience
• Microsoft Power Platform certification (e.g. PL‑200)

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 [email protected].