Head of Investment

As a member of the General Account Investments Asia team, the Head of Investments (“HOI”), Malaysia is accountable for managing the investment portfolio in accordance with approved strategies, regulatory requirements, and internal guidelines. The HOI acts as a trusted asset adviser, building credibility with regulators, boards, and local teams, and is responsible for delivering risk-adjusted returns, and performance oversight.

As a client-centric investment professional, the incumbent will closely collaborate with Manulife’s general account investment desks and other functional areas at the business unit, regional, and group levels. This collaboration will focus on the development and implementation of investment strategies, tactical portfolio optimization, and delivery of product pricing and other investment-related support, all aimed at achieving the objective of Manulife Malaysia and its supporting businesses.

Preferred Responsibilities:

• As part of an emerging markets team (GAEA), monitor and interpret local macroeconomic and market trends, providing regular updates and insights to support our investment and risk management strategies.
• Oversee risk-adjusted returns, manager selection, and performance monitoring for the investment portfolio.
• Guide the organization on alternative long-duration assets and support marketing and product development with investment insights.
• Lead the Investment Committee and support Asset Liability Management Committee and Board Committee processes and present investment updates and performance as required.
• Recommend and implement changes to investment guidelines and policies as appropriate.
• Contribute to competitor analysis through surveillance of industry trends, market information and best practices.
• Lead cross-functional teams for investment initiatives.
• Liaise with business unit functional areas—eg Actuarial, Finance, Legal, Tax, Product, etc—to provide integrated investment support not only for the Malaysian entity and occasionally for the wider initiative for emerging markets. Responsibilities include capital review, ongoing surveillance, and ensuring compliance with investment-related regulatory requirements across reinsured portfolios.
• As our investment representative with peers and external stakeholders to keep abreast of the latest industry trend and standards, and to lead the investment efforts as an industry leader.

• Oversee investment outsourcing, including review and maintenance of investment management, advisory, and service level agreements etc.

Required Qualifications:

• 15+ years of investment experience in the insurance or institutional asset management industry
• Experience in multi asset class investments
• Active involvement in asset and liability management
• Strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills to lead multi-discipline projects effectively·       
• University degree in investment, finance, economics, or other relevant quantitative discipline  
• Self-starter, proactive, a mature leader that is able to work in a remote reporting setting
• Tech and AI savvy to be able to work productively in a fast-paced 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 [email protected].