Global Head of Compliance Testing

Manulife is seeking an experienced professional to lead the Global Compliance Testing program and team, with a mandate to evolve the function into a technology-enabled, risk-responsive, and AI-enabled testing model. Supporting legal entity and Segment CCOs, the individual will be responsible for managing and transforming the program by integrating automation, advanced analytics, continuous monitoring, and AI/GenAI-enabled testing methodologies, while working closely with other teams within Regulatory Assurance and Governance to strengthen coverage, efficiency, governance, and regulatory alignment.

• Independently develop and maintain a risk-based control testing program to review and challenge the design adequacy and effectiveness of key regulations / controls across the company
• Develop and implement sound sampling methodologies and requirements to be deployed by testers across the company
• Establish an automated control validation strategy to efficiently expand coverage of monitoring
• Establish the strategic plan for the design and development of the testing group and the timely execution of testing and assurance to further strengthen the control environment
• Prepare and deliver clear, concise, and actionable reporting to senior leadership and governance committees
• Oversee a global team responsible for executing the risk-based testing program
• Proactively identify and implement testing automation and analytics where appropriate

• Degree ideally in Legal, Finance or a related field
• 10 years + of compliance/audit or similar experience, with a good understanding of financial markets, products, services and processes
• CPA, CIA or a related designation
• Confidence and credibility to deliver and present to Senior Executive leadership and business unit management teams
• Ability to foster and build relationships, engage, and influence others, with diverse subject matter experts
• Flexible and adaptable when dealing with change with a strong awareness and understanding of cultural diversity
• High level of self-motivation and keen sense of “owning” and delivering on project deliverables
• Leadership experience working for a global financial institution
• Strong understanding of control frameworks, testing methodologies, and risk concepts (inherent, residual, appetite, etc.)

• Knowledge of the Financial Services Industry, with specific focus on testing
• Demonstrative understanding of investment instruments and a general knowledge of compliance concepts
• Accuracy and high attention to detail – clear and precise writing skills
• Stakeholder Management – communicates complex and ambiguous topics with clarity and ease, able to interface with different stakeholders at all levels; skilled in both oral and written communication
• Experience implementing continuous auditing or monitoring frameworks enabled by analytics or AI
• Experience with AI/GenAI or agent-based solutions in audit or testing
• Exposure to AI transformation or digital enablement initiatives
• Problem solver and decision maker – effectively leverage internal resource and external industry market insights to assimilate, synthesize, and recommend solutions for complex challenges; takes ownership to make informed and timely decisions and own implementation of solutions
• Significant experience in regulatory compliance testing
• Experience in building diverse, high performing teams
• Proven success in building and implementing testing programs to evaluate the design and adequacy of effectiveness of key controls
• Self-motivated with strong collaboration and influencing skills
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple tasks and competing priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt

• Strong relationship skills including a demonstrated ability to deal effectively with staff at all levels
• Proven leadership and management skills in achieving departmental, project and individual objectives, and in developing staff
• Excellent customer focus and commitment to quality
• Driving continuous improvement in quality and cost effectiveness of services provided
• Exercising and demonstrating sound business judgment
• Ability to influence in a…