Director AI Strategy and Business Planning

The Director AI Strategy and Business Planning is responsible for driving the delivery of the Asia AI Ambition and supporting teams in developing programs and roadmaps for bringing the strategic initiatives to bear across the regional office and countries in AI.

Reporting directly to the Asia Chief AI Officer (CAIO) the Director AI Strategy and Business Planning serves as the internal trusted advisor in setting the strategic direction of Asia AI capability providing strategic thought leadership and advocating new ways of working through change transformation. The role sits alongside the Asia AI Leadership team to deliver on the strategic agenda our strategic ambitions of becoming an AI powered organisation.

The individual will also be the Chief of Staff overseeing the smooth running of the office of the CAIO including (but not limited) to performance management communications employee engagement and governance for the broader team. Significantly this role will cascade and operationalize global AI mandates that are not specific to one function. They will also work on developing a cultural shift in global-regional-local AI operating model to bring together a one team culture and philosophy.

Position Responsibilities:

Develop high impact strategies in partnership with business/functional leads and execute on strategic projects to drive profitable growth

• Partner with the Asia CAIO Global AI Strategy Head and regional leadership team to develop executional roadmaps to deliver on the Annual plan and priorities

• Clearly define the team mission and positioning within the organization and ensure that this is well understood by and communicated to all key business stakeholders

• Support the CAIO in driving connectivity across all the markets and AI teams to ensure that the regional team is connected on strategy and executional plans

• Provide guidance to CAIO on new strategies and changes

• Spearhead development of Asia AIs strategy to maximize commercial value generation for the region.

• Size new growth opportunities and identify priorities and initiatives to execute as go-forward strategy with defined success metrics across financial and non-financial performances

• As required lead teams and/squads on high level strategic priorities and projects stemming from Asia AI strategy global team and/or ADEC

• Drive strategic alignment across countries to ensure strategic projects are aligned to Asia AI Asia Segment and Global strategies and goals

• In partnership with the CAIO and functional leaders integrate and roll out global AI programs & mandates

• Build strong relationship with Global AI Leadership Team keeping pulse on initiatives at a global level to be delivered in countries

• Build strong relationships with local AI teams and cross functional partners at both a regional and market level.

• Drive the clear and engaging communication of the strategy throughout the organization. Translate long-form content and stakeholder inputs into crisp executive-ready materials that reflect the CAIOs voice and strategic intent.

• Provide strategic support to local market Heads of AI and executive leadership helping translate business goals into actionable plans and engagement strategies.

Oversee strategic finance planning budgeting and expense management for financial optimization and commercial return on investment

• Drive and manage annual strategic budget and planning process with markets and facilitate dialogue around prioritization of key strategic and transformational initiatives

• Actively monitor key strategic and financial results on actual spends and forecasts and share key insights to make informed for strategic decisions and pivots to maintain on track across the Asia AI expense portfolio

• In partnership with Asia AI Leadership team and in country Heads of AI support the tracking and reporting of tier 1 KPIs and strategic initiatives.

• Execution on Strategic Cost Management to improve expense and operational efficiency

Ensure clear governance and seamless execution closely monitor progress and communicate results to generate transformation momentum

• Act as a strong support to the CAIO to ensure smooth and efficient day to day running of the CAIO Office functions

• Deliver regular communications regarding the AI team progress results achievement areas of attention and improvements required

• Craft communications frameworks and templates to share progress and monitor performance of AI programs

• Manage the requests for reporting analysis and updates to Executives and Global teams

• Orchestrate and own agenda for team meetings and leadership offsites across regional office and country Heads of AI.

Support the development of a high performing team focused on a one team mentality

• Develop approaches to drive cultural shift between regional-market operating models and help build a one team culture that enables the best of Manulife to be deployed.

• Advocate and guide Asia AI team through change as a change agent to build a shared vision for transformation.

• Support CAIO in identifying developing and retaining top talent to ensure required organizational capabilities and talent are in place to enable execution on strategic goals

Drive team engagement and foster a collaborative culture across Asia AI

• Partner with regional communications to drive internal communications and engagement initiatives including townhalls newsletters and learning sessions to strengthen connectivity and team culture

• Create innovative and inclusive engagement experiences that balance work and creativity helping teams feel connected valued and energized

• Support onboarding and talent development efforts promoting cross-market mobility and career growth within Asia AI

• Develop and maintain shared planning tools and calendars to improve visibility and coordination across teams

Required Qualifications:

• This is a high impact role within the Asia AI team and requires an individual with exceptional leadership skills including high levels of emotional intelligence excellent communication (written and verbal) analytical skills stakeholder management team leadership collaboration and influencing skills.

When you join our team:

• Well empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
• Well recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
• As part of our global team well 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 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.

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