Manager / Senior Manager, Finance & Strategic Initiatives, General Account Investments, Asia

The Opportunity

Manulife is a leading international financial services provider for financial advice, insurance as well as wealth and asset management, established since 1887. Our strong investment management expertise and capability has been developed over the years and spans a wide range of asset classes and geographies. We operate as Manulife across our offices in Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

The Asia General Account Investment function serves as the in-house investment manager for all of Manulife’s Asia Segment’s ~USD 100 billion of life insurance company assets. The team directs investment of funds backing insurance reserves amongst different asset classes and investment managers. It has direct responsibility managing over half of total Asia Segment’s assets in equities, bonds, mortgages, alternatives and derivatives and it oversees the investment management and performance of assets outsourced to Manulife Investment Management Public and Private Markets and other external managers. The team seeks to generate superior risk adjusted returns to support insurance product competitiveness and shareholder value.

The team is a talented and motivated group of investment professionals who are supported by critical legal, compliance and finance and business advisory functions to deliver investment capability and infrastructure for the Asia Segment. It is a dynamic business, growing across the Asia region with the exciting opportunity to be on the forefront of expansion across new investments capabilities as well as participate in new developments in Emerging Markets.

Incumbent will be responsible for leading various key initiatives and projects for the Asia General Account Investments. There will be opportunity to support the Managing Director, Head of Finance and Business Advisory for Asia General Account Investments and the CIO for Asia General Account Investments for the growing business operations across the Asia region. Candidate will also have an opportunity to work alongside global teams in collaboration on many exciting endeavors.

Location can be based in Hong Kong or Singapore.

What motivates you?

• 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

Responsibilities:

• Support production of annual management financial planning and budgeting process for the General Account Investments in Asia. This includes aligning with investment strategy on AUM projections and assessing AUM metric, cost effectiveness analysis.
• Enhance finance monitoring metrics and processes to cope with increased focus with the growing Asia business and utilize results to liaise with global stakeholders on variance analysis and monitoring to support expense efficiency priorities and AUM reviews.
• Perform financial analysis and deliver meaningful information/ financial metrics for management review to support business advisory as well as external and internal reporting at local, regional, group levels.
• Build presentations to support strategic business proposals, relationship management enhancement and education purposes.
• Coordinate and drive cross functional project implementation with key global stakeholders by ensuring deliverables are organized and completed in a timely manner. Projects will range from driving the setup of new asset classes in Emerging Markets to overseeing operational system and technology related implementations.
• Support complex transactions or any new fund structuring/ investment vehicle establishment working closely alongside origination, portfolio management and global cross functional teams across asset classes including fixed income, private equity, real estate and derivatives.
• Deliver on ongoing enhancement of business infrastructure and processes including management of legal business framework and portfolio onboarding for the General Account Investments.
• Work on special projects and initiatives as directed by the Managing Director- Head of Finance & Business Advisory to support GA business opportunities in Asia.

Knowledge/ Competencies:

• Chartered or Certified Accounting Designation and/ or Project Management experience is desired
• 6+ years of experience in asset management or financial services industry is beneficial
• Knowledge of IFRS, local Asia GAAPs, US GAAP standards and capital regimes are an asset
• Adeptness in usage of computing technology including Microsoft Power point presentations, Excel (knowledge of advanced formulas, pivots, macro/ VBA knowledge) and other systems
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work productively with multiple parties at all different levels in the global organization
• Sound analytical and organizational skills are highly valuable
• Ability to work adaptably and independently within the growing business

Our commitment to you

• 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.

Learn more about opportunities with us at www.manulife.com/en/careers/why-join-us.html