Head of Data Architecture

Head of Data Architecture, Asia Data Office

To support the accelerated build-out of a unified, scalable, and AI-ready data ecosystem across Asia, we are seeking a Head of Data Architecture (Director Level) to serve as the regional authority for enterprise data and AI architecture.

This role will define, govern, and drive the end-to-end data and AI architecture strategy, while also owning solution architecture for critical initiatives, ensuring scalable, secure, and production-ready delivery aligned with global standards and regional regulatory requirements.

As a capability leader within Asia Data Office, this role bridges strategy and execution, driving architectural consistency, enabling platform modernization, and ensuring adoption of cloud-native data platforms and AI/GenAI capabilities across markets.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Strategy & Architecture Leadership

• Define and lead the Asia enterprise data & AI architecture vision, strategy, and roadmap
• Establish target state architecture for data, analytics, and AI platforms
• Drive architectural alignment with global standards, regulatory requirements, and business strategy
• Lead architecture decision-making, including trade-offs, investments, and technology choices

2. End-to-End Solution Ownership

• Own end-to-end solution architecture for key data, analytics, and AI initiatives
• Ensure solutions are scalable, modular, secure, and production-ready
• Guide delivery teams across markets to ensure design integrity and consistency
• Act as the final design authority for high-impact programs

3. Platform & Technology Architecture

• Design and govern cloud-native data and AI platforms across Azure and Alicloud
• Drive adoption of modern data architectures (Data Fabric, Lakehouse, Data Mesh where applicable)
• Establish reusable architecture blueprints, patterns, and accelerators
• Including GenAI, RAG, feature stores, and MLOps patterns
• Ensure integration with enterprise platforms (PAS, CRM, Claims, Digital

4. Data Governance & Standards

• Standardize data models, pipelines, and lifecycle management practices
• Enforce enterprise standards for:
• Data quality, lineage, metadata, cataloguing
• Master/reference data management
• Data interoperability across markets
• Define and embed data governance-by-design principles

5. Security, Privacy & Responsible AI

• Establish and enforce data security, privacy, and compliance controls
• Alignment with regional regulations (e.g., India DPDP, China CSL/PIPL, etc.)
• Define and operationalize Responsible AI frameworks
• Ensure architecture supports auditability, transparency, and risk controls

6. Governance & Operating Model

• Lead architecture governance forums and design authorities
• Drive cross-market alignment and reuse of capabilities
• Institutionalize architecture guardrails, fitness functions, and automated compliance checks
• Support vendor and platform selection through architecture oversight and evaluation frameworks

7. Stakeholder & Leadership Engagement

• Partner with IT, Data, AI, Security, and Business leaders from across Global, Regional and Local level
• Act as a trusted advisor to CIO, CDO, and senior stakeholders
• Influence program direction and ensure technology investments align with long-term architecture vision
• Collaborate with global architecture teams for standardization and reuse

8. Team & Capability Development

• Lead and mentor a regional team of data solution architects
• Build capability maturity across markets
• Drive adoption of modern engineering and architecture practices

Required Qualifications:

• 20+ years of experience in data, analytics, and enterprise architecture
• 3–5 years in a leadership role (Head, Lead Architect, or equivalent)
• Proven experience in defining and delivering enterprise-scale data and AI platforms
• Strong experience with:
• Cloud platforms (Azure required, Alicloud preferred)
• Data architecture paradigms (Lakehouse, Data Fabric, Data Mesh)
• AI/ML and GenAI architectures (including RAG, MLOps)
• Experience in financial services / insurance domain
• Exposure to Asia markets and regulatory environments
• Experience in greenfield transformation or large-scale platform modernization
• Familiarity with enterprise integration patterns and distributed architectures
• Strategic thinking with execution focus
• Strong architecture governance and decision-making ability
• Deep technical expertise in modern data & AI ecosystems
• Stakeholder influence and executive communication
• Ability to operate in a federated, multi-market environment

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 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