Head of Data Architecture, Asia Data Office
Manulife
Head of Data Architecture, Asia Data Office
Job Description
Head of Data Architecture, Asia Data OfficeTo 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 LeadershipDefine and lead the Asia enterprise data & AI architecture vision, strategy, and roadmapEstablish target state architecture for data, analytics, and AI platformsDrive architectural alignment with global standards, regulatory requirements, and business strategyLead architecture decision-making, including trade-offs, investments, and technology choices2. End-to-End Solution OwnershipOwn end-to-end solution architecture for key data, analytics, and AI initiativesEnsure solutions are scalable, modular, secure, and production-readyGuide delivery teams across markets to ensure design integrity and consistencyAct as the final design authority for high-impact programs3. Platform & Technology ArchitectureDesign and govern cloud-native data and AI platforms across Azure and AlicloudDrive adoption of modern data architectures (Data Fabric, Lakehouse, Data Mesh where applicable)Establish reusable architecture blueprints, patterns, and acceleratorsIncluding GenAI, RAG, feature stores, and MLOps patternsEnsure integration with enterprise platforms (PAS, CRM, Claims, Digital4. Data Governance & StandardsStandardize data models, pipelines, and lifecycle management practicesEnforce enterprise standards for:Data quality, lineage, metadata, cataloguingMaster/reference data managementData interoperability across marketsDefine and embed data governance-by-design principles5. Security, Privacy & Responsible AIEstablish and enforce data security, privacy, and compliance controlsAlignment with regional regulations (e.g., India DPDP, China CSL/PIPL, etc.)Define and operationalize Responsible AI frameworksEnsure architecture supports auditability, transparency, and risk controls6. Governance & Operating ModelLead architecture governance forums and design authoritiesDrive cross-market alignment and reuse of capabilitiesInstitutionalize architecture guardrails, fitness functions, and automated compliance checksSupport vendor and platform selection through architecture oversight and evaluation frameworks7. Stakeholder & Leadership EngagementPartner with IT, Data, AI, Security, and Business leaders from across Global, Regional and Local levelAct as a trusted advisor to CIO, CDO, and senior stakeholdersInfluence program direction and ensure technology investments align with long-term architecture visionCollaborate with global architecture teams for standardization and reuse8. Team & Capability DevelopmentLead and mentor a regional team of data solution architectsBuild capability maturity across marketsDrive adoption of modern engineering and architecture practicesRequired Qualifications:20+ years of experience in data, analytics, and enterprise architecture3–5 years in a leadership role (Head, Lead Architect, or equivalent)Proven experience in defining and delivering enterprise-scale data and AI platformsStrong 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 domainExposure to Asia markets and regulatory environmentsExperience in greenfield transformation or large-scale platform modernizationFamiliarity with enterprise integration patterns and distributed architecturesStrategic thinking with execution focusStrong architecture governance and decision-making abilityDeep technical expertise in modern data & AI ecosystemsStakeholder influence and executive communicationAbility to operate in a federated, multi-market environmentWhen 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 HancockManulife 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 EmployerAt 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 hr@manulife.com.Working ArrangementHybrid
Locations
- Hong Kong
- Manulife (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Manulife Tower
Skills Required
- dataintermediate
- definingintermediate
- financial services / insurance domainintermediate
- greenfield transformationintermediate
- enterprise integration patternsintermediate
- modern data & AI ecosystemsintermediate
Required Qualifications
- 20+ years of experience in data, analytics, and enterprise architecture (experience, 20 years)
- 3–5 years in a leadership role (Head, Lead Architect, or equivalent) (experience, 5 years)
- Proven experience in defining and delivering enterprise-scale data and AI platforms (experience)
- Strong experience with: (experience)
- Cloud platforms (Azure required, Alicloud preferred) (experience)
- Data architecture paradigms (Lakehouse, Data Fabric, Data Mesh) (experience)
- AI/ML and GenAI architectures (including RAG, MLOps) (experience)
- Experience in financial services / insurance domain (experience)
- Exposure to Asia markets and regulatory environments (experience)
- Experience in greenfield transformation or large-scale platform modernization (experience)
- Familiarity with enterprise integration patterns and distributed architectures (experience)
- Strategic thinking with execution focus (experience)
- Strong architecture governance and decision-making ability (experience)
- Deep technical expertise in modern data & AI ecosystems (experience)
- Stakeholder influence and executive communication (experience)
- Ability to operate in a federated, multi-market environment (experience)
- 20+ years of experience in data, analytics, and enterprise architecture (experience, 20 years)
- 3–5 years in a leadership role (Head, Lead Architect, or equivalent) (experience, 5 years)
- Proven experience in defining and delivering enterprise-scale data and AI platforms (experience)
- Strong experience with: (experience)
Preferred Qualifications
- Data architecture paradigms (Lakehouse, Data Fabric, Data Mesh) (experience)
- AI/ML and GenAI architectures (including RAG, MLOps) (experience)
- Experience in financial services / insurance domain (experience)
- Exposure to Asia markets and regulatory environments (experience)
- Experience in greenfield transformation or large-scale platform modernization (experience)
- Familiarity with enterprise integration patterns and distributed architectures (experience)
- Strategic thinking with execution focus (experience)
- Strong architecture governance and decision-making ability (experience)
- Deep technical expertise in modern data & AI ecosystems (experience)
- Stakeholder influence and executive communication (experience)
- Ability to operate in a federated, multi-market environment (experience)
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Lead and mentor a regional team of data solution architects
- Build capability maturity across markets
- Drive adoption of modern engineering and architecture practices
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