Associate Director / Senior Manager - Internal Audit

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 and technology-enabled ways of working to advance your career.

The Opportunity: This role is based in Japan and will contribute to the execution of our annual audit plan, including SOX controls testing for internal controls over financial reporting and participation in other assurance engagements as required, while also supporting continuous improvement initiatives through data analytics, automation, and emerging technologies across the audit lifecycle.

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, including exploration and practical application of generative AI use cases in audit planning, testing, and reporting.

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.
• •Plan and execute and/or lead various types of audits (key risk audits, key risk reviews, AML, SOX) in accordance with the Manulife’s audit methodology and IIA Standards. Able to team lead regional and thematic audits or highly complex audits or advisory works and execute end-to-end audits (i.e. Planning, Fieldwork and Reporting) with minimum supervision.
• •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.
• •Evaluate the management of risk and internal controls in business. Identify and develop audit issues based on factual and complete information, leveraging available data and digital tools where appropriate. Perform root cause analysis.
• •Present audit issues/observations to and reach agreement with the business unit/regional management; make practical and value-added recommendations to improve control environment and efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• •Prepare audit reports; audit reports are to be clear, concise and well-organized, and issued in accordance with the audit methodology.
• •Utilize data analytics, automation, and emerging technologies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the audit process, including identifying opportunities to streamline audit workflows and enhance insight generation.
• •Assist in issue follow-up with business unit/regional management regularly on the status/ implementation of corrective action plans for timely audit issue closure.
• •Ensure quality of work completed and in accordance with the Manulife’s audit methodology and IIA Standards.
• •Support the identification and implementation of innovative approaches (e.g., automation, AI-assisted analysis, and workflow enhancements) to improve audit methodology, documentation, and knowledge management practices.
• •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 9 years or above of relevant experience in internal or external audit, risk management, compliance, data analytics, or equivalent business experience in Financial Services industry.
• •Asia regional experience in Financial Services industry is a plus.
• •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, including the ability to challenge existing approaches and identify opportunities for enhancement through technology.
• •Intellectual curiosity and demonstrated ability to apply emerging technologies (e.g., automation, analytics, or AI tools) to solve business problems are important.

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.
• •Experience with data analytics tools (e.g., Python, SQL, Power BI) or building automation solutions is preferred.
• •Exposure to AI, machine learning, or generative AI tools and an interest in applying them in a business or audit context is highly desirable.
• •Business-level Japanese communication ability (spoken and written) sufficient to perform walkthroughs, request/assess evidence, and discuss findings with local stakeholders.
• •Bilingual in Japanese and English is 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 enviro