Head of Japan Data Office

Job Profile Description

The Head of Japan Data Office is responsible for leading the organization’s data strategy, governance, and data management capabilities to enable trusted, high-quality, and business-driven use of data across Manulife Japan. This role serves as the primary liaison between Japan stakeholders and regional/global Data Office teams, ensuring alignment of data policies, standards, and platform roadmaps. The incumbent will oversee data platform operations and support, drive data engineering and modernization initiatives, and ensure the delivery of scalable, secure, and reliable data solutions. Working closely with business leaders and Information Services teams, the role will identify and execute strategic data and analytics initiatives that enhance decision-making, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and customer outcomes. The position will also lead the development of business intelligence and reporting capabilities while fostering a strong data-driven culture across the organization through effective stakeholder engagement, governance, and technology leadership.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead the Japan Data Office function and establish enterprise-wide data governance, data quality, and data management practices across business and technology organizations.

• Act as the primary liaison with regional and global Data Office and Data Platform teams to align Japan’s data strategy, standards, architecture, and platform roadmap.

• Oversee the delivery, support, and continuous improvement of data platforms, ensuring secure, scalable, and reliable data services for business and regulatory needs.

• Drive data and analytics initiatives that enable business insights, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and data-driven decision making.

• Partner closely with business stakeholders, Information Services teams, and external vendors to define data priorities, manage demand, and deliver strategic data capabilities.

• Build and lead data engineering capabilities, including data integration, data pipelines, cloud-based data solutions, and modern BI reporting platforms.

Required Qualifications:

• 12+ years of experience in Data Management, Data Engineering, Analytics, or Enterprise Data Platforms.

• 8+ years of experience leading large-scale data initiatives using Azure Data Platform, Databricks, SQL, Data Factory, Power BI, or similar technologies.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Proven experience establishing data governance frameworks, data quality controls, and enterprise data management practices.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence senior business and technology stakeholders.

• Strong communication skills with experience managing regional and global stakeholder relationships.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the financial services or insurance industry.

• Knowledge of regulatory reporting, data privacy, and risk management requirements.

• Experience leading cloud-based data modernization and transformation programs.

• Familiarity with AI, advanced analytics, and data-driven business transformation initiatives.

• Experience managing distributed teams, vendors, and strategic delivery partners.

• Understanding of enterprise architecture principles and modern data operating models.

Internal Guidelines about Work from Home:

Hybrid Model, following Manulife’s Working Better guidelines.

Over time:

0-40 hours/month.

Salary:

Based on our Work Rules, we will consider your experience, skills and knowledge when we decide the salary.

Commutation allowance and Variable Incentive Bonus are paid based on our Work Rules.

Working Hours:

Standard Working Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm  (Include 1 hour break. Flex-time system available)

Benefits:

Social Insurance (Health Insurance, Employees' Pension, Unemployment Insurance, Worker's Accident Insurance), Benefit One, Training system (include Japanese lesson / English lesson), Childcare Leave/Family care Leave, Baby-sitter support program, wiwiw System (Support program for those who take Childcare Leave), Retirement Pension (only for Regular employee).

Holidays/Vacations:

Saturdays and Sundays

National Holidays

Year-end and new year holidays (December 30, December 31, January 2 and January 3)

Annual Paid Holiday

For Regular employee, other special holidays are available (e.g. Anniversary Leave, etc.)

Location:

Hatsudai Head Office, Tokyo Opera City, 3-20-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan

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 

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 jobs.manulife.com    

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].

Hybrid