AVP, Head of Distribution and Product Compliance - Asia

Assistant Vice President, Head of Asia Distribution and Product Compliance

General Description

Reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer, Asia Segment, the Assistant Vice President, Head of Asia Distribution and Product Compliance, is responsible for providing functional oversight of the implementation of Manulife’s Distribution and Product Compliance Program across Asia Segment.

This role focuses on strengthening sales conduct excellence and fostering a strong culture of compliance to support sustainable business growth. Working closely with Business Units and other control functions at market, regional, and global levels, the role is responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations and expectations relating to Fair Customer Treatment, Consumer Duty, and OSFI Guideline B-10, as well as adherence to internal standards, including the Conduct Risk Framework and the Third-Party Distribution Risk Standard.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Support Asia Segment Compliance in effectively overseeing the implementation of Distribution and Product Compliance programs and promoting a positive conduct culture across markets.
• Work with market leaders, Chief Compliance Officers, Distribution and Product Compliance teams, and regional functional stakeholders to establish processes for managing known, new, and emerging distribution and product compliance risks.
• Lead regional and regulatory initiatives to enhance sales conduct excellence, including implementation of the Manulife Conduct Risk Framework, Product Suitability Guideline, and OSFI Guideline B-10 across Asia Segment.
• Provide effective compliance oversight, advice, and challenge on market initiatives, including sales compensation schemes, campaigns, and product proposals.
• Represent Asia Segment Compliance in the Asia Product Approval Process, including by ensuring appropriate compliance representation in product development, meeting regulatory compliance requirements, conducting comprehensive assessments of product suitability, and ensuring effective product and sales controls to support positive customer outcomes.
• Actively participate in relevant governance committee meetings, such as the Asia Distribution & Sales Risk Committee and the Regional Compensation Steering Committee, to review market initiatives and proposals, provide functional opinions and challenge, and address distribution and product risks.
• Conduct compliance reviews and deep dives to address topical compliance matters and existing and emerging risks, including distributor oversight, market conduct, business quality controls, and customer complaints management.
• Partner with Global L2 Sales Controls Testing teams to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality testing of control design and execution.
• Support ongoing development of Distribution and Product Compliance capabilities in the markets, building a high-performing team through focused learning, development, and cross-training opportunities.
• Support automation of compliance controls and implementation of advanced analytics, AI, and business intelligence tools to identify and address sales misconduct and fraudulent activities.
• Support the strengthening of the enterprise-wide compliance management framework through proper documentation of compliance risks, issues, controls, and Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) in Archer.
• Support Asia Segment Compliance, in coordination with Global Compliance, to ensure timely compliance reporting, effective collaboration, responses to inquiries, and escalation where required.

Knowledge, Experience, Skills, and Education

• At least 15 years of progressive experience in financial services compliance, product management, risk, audit, or other control roles.
• Experience in overseeing market compliance programs and teams would be a distinct advantage.
• Deep understanding of insurance distribution, products, risks, and controls in Asian markets, ideally with a focus on tied agency and/or bancassurance.
• Outstanding functional leadership and people management abilities to positively influence senior leaders and colleagues.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write clear and concise reports and effectively convey strategies and perspectives.
• Sound judgment, with the ability to balance pragmatism with high standards for compliance and ethical conduct, and to effectively communicate concerns, escalate issues, and manage challenging conversations.
• University degree; professional qualifications and designations in control and oversight disciplines (e.g., compliance, risk management, audit) are preferred.

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 hr@manulife.com.