The Head of Japan Data Office is responsible for leading the organization’s data strategy, governance, and data management capabilities to enable trusted, high-quality, and business-driven use of data across Manulife Japan. This role serves as the primary liaison between Japan stakeholders and regional/global Data Office teams, ensuring alignment of data policies, standards, and platform roadmaps. The incumbent will oversee data platform operations and support, drive data engineering and modernization initiatives, and ensure the delivery of scalable, secure, and reliable data solutions. Working closely with business leaders and Information Services teams, the role will identify and execute strategic data and analytics initiatives that enhance decision-making, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and customer outcomes. The position will also lead the development of business intelligence and reporting capabilities while fostering a strong data-driven culture across the organization through effective stakeholder engagement, governance, and technology leadership.Position Responsibilities:
- Lead the Japan Data Office function and establish enterprise-wide data governance, data quality, and data management practices across business and technology organizations.
- Act as the primary liaison with regional and global Data Office and Data Platform teams to align Japan’s data strategy, standards, architecture, and platform roadmap.
- Oversee the delivery, support, and continuous improvement of data platforms, ensuring secure, scalable, and reliable data services for business and regulatory needs.
- Drive data and analytics initiatives that enable business insights, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and data-driven decision making.
- Partner closely with business stakeholders, Information Services teams, and external vendors to define data priorities, manage demand, and deliver strategic data capabilities.
- Build and lead data engineering capabilities, including data integration, data pipelines, cloud-based data solutions, and modern BI reporting platforms.
- 12+ years of experience in Data Management, Data Engineering, Analytics, or Enterprise Data Platforms.
- 8+ years of experience leading large-scale data initiatives using Azure Data Platform, Databricks, SQL, Data Factory, Power BI, or similar technologies.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Proven experience establishing data governance frameworks, data quality controls, and enterprise data management practices.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence senior business and technology stakeholders.
- Strong communication skills with experience managing regional and global stakeholder relationships.
- Experience in the financial services or insurance industry.
- Knowledge of regulatory reporting, data privacy, and risk management requirements.
- Experience leading cloud-based data modernization and transformation programs.
- Familiarity with AI, advanced analytics, and data-driven business transformation initiatives.
- Experience managing distributed teams, vendors, and strategic delivery partners.
- Understanding of enterprise architecture principles and modern data operating models.
- You obsess about customers, listen, engage and act for their benefit
- You think big, with curiosity to discover ways to use your agile mindset and enable business outcomes
- You thrive in teams, and enjoy getting things done together
- You take ownership and build solutions, focusing on what matters
- You do what is right, work with integrity and speak up
- You share your humanity, helping us build a diverse and inclusive work environment for everyone
- Our mission; to be a part of making Decisions Easier and Lives Better
- A leadership team dedicated to your growth and success
- A bold ambition and set of goals to be a leader in driving transformation in our industry
- Our best. Every day.
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].
Working Arrangement
Skills Required
- 12+ years of experience in Data Management, Data Engineering, Analytics, or Enterprise Data Platforms
- 8+ years leading large-scale data initiatives using Azure Data Platform, Databricks, SQL, Data Factory, Power BI, or similar technologies
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline
- Proven experience establishing data governance frameworks, data quality controls, and enterprise data management practices
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence senior business and technology stakeholders
- Strong communication skills with experience managing regional and global stakeholder relationships
- Experience in the financial services or insurance industry
- Knowledge of regulatory reporting, data privacy, and risk management requirements
- Experience leading cloud-based data modernization and transformation programs
- Familiarity with AI, advanced analytics, and data-driven business transformation initiatives
- Experience managing distributed teams, vendors, and strategic delivery partners
- Understanding of enterprise architecture principles and modern data operating models
Manulife Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Manulife and has not been reviewed or approved by Manulife.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is portrayed as comprehensive, spanning medical, dental, prescription drugs, vision, critical illness, and short- and long-term disability. Mental-health support is emphasized via EAP-style services and high annual coverage limits in some regions, alongside wellness programs and navigation tools.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings are positioned as a meaningful part of total rewards, including group RRSP/defined contribution pension options and employer matching in some cases. Ownership-related programs such as share purchase/stock options are also described as available for eligible employees.
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Flexible Benefits — Benefits are described as robust and flexible, with customizable packages and spending-account style options in some plans. Digital tools (mobile app/claims) and reward-linked wellness programs are framed as making benefits easier to use and more engaging.
Manulife Insights
What We Do
Manulife is a leading international financial services group that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, we operate as Manulife across our offices in Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. We have more than 40,000 employees, over 116,000 agents serving ~34 million customers worldwide, and over $1.3 trillion in assets under management and administration. Visit www.Manulife.com to find out more. For Manulife terms of use, please visit http://bit.ly/SM_Terms
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