Chief Financial Officer, Philippines

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for leading the overall financial strategy, management, and performance of Manulife Philippines. This role oversees financial planning and analysis, accounting, reporting, capital and solvency management, and finance governance to support sustainable growth, profitability, and regulatory compliance.

The CFO is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and a strategic partner to the CEO and Manulife regional and global finance functions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Strategy & Leadership

·         Develop and execute the financial strategy aligned with Manulife’s

business objectives in the Philippines.

·         Provide financial leadership and strategic advice to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.

·         Drive initiatives to improve profitability, capital efficiency, and long-term value creation.

·         Lead the Finance organization, setting clear goals, priorities, and performance standards.

2. Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

·         Oversee annual budgeting, multi-year planning, and periodic forecasting for Manulife Philippines.

·         Ensure robust financial modeling, scenario analysis, and stress testing to support strategic decisions.

·         Monitor performance against plans, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions.

3. Financial Management & Reporting

·         Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial, management, and regulatory reporting.

·         Oversee general accounting, closing processes, and financial controls.

·         Ensure compliance with IFRS/Group reporting requirements and local statutory requirements.

·         Coordinate with internal and external auditors; address audit findings and implement improvements.

4. Capital, Solvency, Liquidity & Risk-Related Finance

·         Manage capital adequacy, solvency ratios, and liquidity in line with regulatory and group standards.

·         Partner with Risk, Actuarial, and Investments teams on asset-liability management and capital planning.

·         Support pricing, product development, and reinsurance strategies with sound financial insights.

·         Monitor financial risks and implement mitigation strategies.

5. Business Partnering & Performance Management

·         Act as a key business partner for Distribution, Operations, Product, and Investment teams.

·         Provide insight-driven analysis to support growth, productivity, and cost optimization initiatives.

·         Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for the business and Finance function.

·         Influence strategic decisions with data-driven recommendations and financial impact assessments.

6. Governance, Compliance & Controls

·         Ensure strong financial governance, internal controls, and adherence to Manulife policies.

·         Maintain compliance with Philippine regulations, including the Insurance Commission, tax authorities, SEC, and other relevant bodies.

·         Oversee implementation of Group finance policies, standards, and frameworks.

·         Champion ethical conduct and integrity in all financial matters.

7. Stakeholder Management & Representation

·         Serve as the primary finance contact for regulators, external auditors, banks, and key external stakeholders.

·         Collaborate closely with Regional/Group Finance to ensure alignment and effective communication.

·         Present financial results and strategic updates to the Board of Directors and relevant committees, as required.

8. People Leadership & Capability Building

·         Lead, coach, and develop the Finance leadership team and broader Finance organization.

·         Foster a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

·         Build capabilities in financial analytics, business partnering, and regulatory expertise.

·         Support succession planning and talent development in line with Manulife’s leadership framework.

Required Experience and Capabilities

·         15+ years of progressive experience in Finance, with at least 5–7 years in senior leadership roles.

·         Proven experience as a CFO or senior finance executive in insurance, financial services, or related sectors.

·         Strong background in life insurance / financial services finance, including regulatory reporting, capital and solvency management.

·         Demonstrated track record in strategic finance leadership, business partnering, and transformation.

·         Deep knowledge of financial reporting standards, including IFRS, and Philippine regulatory requirements.

·         Strong expertise in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), capital management, and risk-related finance.

·         Proficiency with financial systems, BI tools, and data analytics platforms.

·         Strong understanding of insurance products, actuarial concepts, and performance drivers.

·         Strategic thinking, business acumen, sound decision-making, influence and communication, collaboration, integrity, accountability, and leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

·         Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Economics, Business, or related field.

·         Professional certifications such as CPA or CFA are strongly preferred.

·         A master’s degree, such as an MBA or master's in finance, is an advantage.

Working Conditions

·         Based in Manulife Philippines head office, location as per current corporate site.

·         Regular interaction with regional and global teams requires flexibility across time zones.

·         Occasional travel may be required for regional/global meetings, regulatory engagements, or business reviews.

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].

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