Head of Finance

Manulife Malaysia is seeking a Head of Finance to lead the finance function. This role will oversee financial controllership, statutory and regulatory reporting, planning and analysis, and key finance operations, partnering closely with senior management, regional stakeholders, regulators, and the Board. A core expectation is to champion technology-enabled finance, leveraging data, automation, and modern finance platforms to improve control, efficiency, and decision support—always anchored to our mission of making decisions easier and lives better for our customers.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead the Finance function, with overall accountability for financial controllership, closing processes, and finance operations.

• Ensure timely and accurate reporting and compliance across statutory and group reporting (including IFRS), regulatory submissions, management reporting, planning and forecasting, expense management, treasury, tax, and capital management.

• Provide clear financial insights and recommendations to senior management and the Board, including preparation and presentation of financial results and key performance drivers.

• Drive the finance technology and transformation agenda, including target operating model design, process re-engineering, and the adoption of digital tools (e.g., workflow, automation/RPA, close and consolidation, planning/forecasting, and reporting solutions) to improve speed, quality and control.

• Own the finance systems roadmap and governance, partnering with Technology and shared service teams to deliver fit-for-purpose platforms, strong access and change controls, and scalable solutions aligned to business and regulatory requirements.

• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and leadership team on finance, accounting, performance management, and value creation topics.

• Lead the finance workstream for key business initiatives (e.g., acquisitions/integrations, distribution and compensation changes, strategic partnerships), ensuring robust governance and delivery.

• Partner with Risk, Compliance, and Internal Audit to maintain an effective internal control environment, manage financial risks, and support regulatory examinations and audits.

• Work closely with Regional and Group Finance teams to align on policies, deliver group initiatives, and ensure consistency in reporting and control standards.

​Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 15 years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including at least 5 years in senior leadership roles; experience in life insurance and/or regulated financial services is strongly preferred.

• Recognised professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACCA, CPA, ICAEW).

• Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams across multiple finance disciplines.

• Demonstrated experience leading finance transformation programmes, including process re-engineering, control uplift, and implementation or optimisation of finance systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong executive communication skills, including the ability to influence senior stakeholders and present effectively to the Board and Board Committees.

• Excellent stakeholder management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to partner effectively across functions and levels.

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].