Senior Audit Manager

About the Audit Group: Join Manulife's Audit and Advisory Services team, where we partner with management to enhance risk control and organizational resilience. We deliver insightful reports to senior management and the Board, reinforcing our commitment to excellence and accountability. Our energetic and collaborative team offers exposure to new business areas and influences business management through diverse projects. We prioritize professional development and innovation, offering opportunities like data analytics training to advance your career.

About our Audit team: Join our dynamic Audit and Advisory Services team and play a vital role in supporting and enhancing governance and risk management across Manulife Group in different segment and countries (including MBPS, global functions, Asia and GWAM segments). You’ll have the unique opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from over 10 locations across Asia, gaining exposure to a rich variety of cultures and perspectives. This is your chance to help shape the future of our audit function - all while developing your own skills and career in a collaborative, supportive and truly multicultural environment. 

Learning Opportunities: Our Audit and Advisory Services team provide rich learning opportunities, offering exposure to diverse audit strategies and specialized training across insurance and asset management. These experiences will enhance your technical and soft skills, preparing you for advancement and new roles within the company. As an audit professional at Manulife, you'll also have opportunity to use advanced tools like a centralized GRC tool, business analytics, machine learning, and Python to drive impactful audit outcomes.

Position Responsibilities:

• Assist in preparing bi-annual audit plan based on risks and applicable requirements for assigned areas.

• Assist in preparing presentation materials or attends various committees and executive meetings, as and when necessary.

• Owns and drives SOX testing strategy at market/segment level. Oversees multiple workstreams and ensures quality, consistency, and delivery.

• Leads large/complex audits or thematic reviews and oversees multiple engagements and ensures strategic alignment. Builds stakeholder relationships at senior level. Manage audits within time budgets and target dates, reporting any timing problems or budget over-runs to audit management.

• Ensure completion of audit testing by the audit team within timeline and documentation of test results with applicable issues (if any) in accordance with the Manulife’s audit methodology. Review team members working papers and provide guidance to audit team members.

• Review or prepare audit reports; audit reports are to be clear, concise and well-organized, and issued in accordance with the audit methodology.

• Provides technical direction and ensures consistency in audit methodology.

• Drives improvement initiatives and manages competing priorities across multiple engagements.

• Utilize data analytics techniques to improve effectiveness and efficiency of audit process.

• Assist in issue follow-up with business unit/regional management regularly on the status/ implementation of corrective action plans for timely audit issue closure.

• Owns senior stakeholder relationships across markets, leads complex or sensitive discussions, resolves conflicts, and influences strategic decisions.

• Ensure quality of work completed and in accordance with the Manulife’s audit methodology and IIA Standards.

• Lead or support regional and departmental initiatives.

• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Line Manager, as and when necessary, that are in line with skill set capacity or for career development.

Required Qualifications:

• A university degree is required and minimum of 10 years or above of relevant experience in internal or external audit, risk management, compliance, SOX compliance or equivalent business experience in Financial Services industry. For IT Auditors, experience in IT controls and testing is a must.

• Asia regional experience in Financial Services industry.

• Strong written and oral communication skills, ability to effectively communicate ideas and recommendations, and to listen and consider the ideas of others. Fluent in spoken and written English is a must.

• Proven leadership skills and demonstrate people management capabilities. The candidate is a strong team player, willing to share knowledge, provide guidance, and assist new team members. The ability to challenge the status quo and seek continuous improvement is also important.

• Proven relationship skills and the ability to collaborate with different business units and team members in a multi-cultural environment are crucial, along with the ability to resolve conflicts and deal effectively with staff at all levels up to VP or equivalent.

• Ability to quickly understand business processes and risks, identify key controls, analyze complex situations, and make practical recommendations.

• Results oriented; able to strike balance on multiple priorities and projects.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A recognized accounting (CPA, CA, ACCA) or auditing (CIA, CISA) designation is preferable, but not essential, for candidates with good financial services industry experience.

• Knowledge of life insurance, asset management, audit methodologies, control frameworks and risk management practices, and SOX requirements is an asset.

• An understanding of the Financial Services industry, applicable regulations, and risks is preferred.

• Knowledge of the data analysis tools is preferred.

• Fluent in Chinese, Malay and Indonesian languages are 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 [email protected].