General Accountability:This role is an Intermediate Data Architect reporting to the Data Architect / Lead Data Architect, with ownership of data architecture within assigned domains or initiatives.While the role has a strong hands-on focus on data modeling and data design, it is also accountable for architecture outcomes, ensuring that data solutions are consistent, governed, scalable, and aligned with enterprise strategy.The Associate Data Architect is expected to operate with a degree of autonomy, contribute to architecture governance, and influence key data design decisions, while aligning with the broader direction set by senior data architect.Owns the end-to-end data architecture for assigned domains or initiatives, ensuring alignment with enterprise data architecture standardsDesigns and maintains conceptual, logical, and physical data models, ensuring they are scalable, reusable, and fit-for-purposeTranslates business requirements into architecture-aligned data designs, balancing immediate needs with long-term sustainabilityDefines and governs data flows, integration patterns, and data structures supporting applications and analytics platformsEnsures adherence to enterprise data architecture standards, naming conventions, and modeling practicesActs as a data architecture steward within assigned scope, ensuring consistency across systems and projectsParticipates in and contributes to architecture review boards and model governance processesReviews and approves data models and designs produced by other team members or project teamsContributes to the evolution of data architecture strategy, particularly in data modeling, integration, and domain designIdentifies opportunities to improve data structures, reduce redundancy, and enhance data usability across platformsProvides input into target-state architecture and roadmap planning, based on domain insightsSupports alignment with enterprise initiatives such as OCDM and enterprise data architecture frameworksHandles complex and ambiguous data requirements, making informed design decisions within defined architectural guardrailsConducts impact analysis and trade-off assessments for changes in data models and data flowsResolves data design conflicts and inconsistencies across systems and stakeholdersWorks closely with:Business stakeholdersProduct ownersData engineersApplication teamsEnsures that data requirements are accurately translated into models and implementationsProvides guidance and mentorship to junior team members or project contributors on data modeling best practicesSupports cross-team alignment to ensure data architecture consistency across domainsOwns and maintains:Data models (ERDs, LDMs, PDMs)Data dictionaries and metadataIntegration and Mapping Artifacts (DFD, S2TM, Data LineageArchitecture documentation and design decisionsEnsures documentation supports governance, reuse, and transparencyDomain-Specific Requirements: Knowledge and experience with the following are essential:Strong expertise in:Conceptual, logical, and physical data modelingERDs, normalization/denormalizationProven ability to design and own data models for medium to large-scale systemsSolid understanding of:Data integration patterns and data flow designRelational databases and exposure to NoSQL conceptsWorking knowledge of enterprise data architecture principles and governance practicesFamiliarity with regulatory and compliance requirements influencing data design (e.g., GDPR, BCBS 239)Practical experience with modern data platforms, preferably Azure:Azure Data FactoryAzure DatabricksAzure Data Lake / Storage (Parquet)Azure SynapsePower BIKnowledge/Skills/Competencies/Education:Education4–6+ years of experience in data modeling, data architecture, or closely related rolesDemonstrated ownership of data design and architecture deliverables in real-world projectsExperience working across multiple systems or domains, not just isolated project tasksExposure to architecture governance, design reviews, and standards enforcementExperience contributing to solution design decisions, not just execution supportKnowledge and experience with the following will be an advantage:2+ years of experience in Financial Services (e.g., insurance, banking, investments), or equivalent project exposureExposure to insurance customer channels, such as Direct, Affinity, Agents, Brokers, Group Insurance, or BancassuranceUnderstanding of the insurance industry and core business concepts, with interest in learning more about industry trends, digital transformation, and customer expectationsFamiliarity with insurance business processes and systems, with the ability to learn and navigate new platforms and applicationsAwareness of evolving IT, insurance, and cross-industry trends (e.g., cloud platforms, data and analytics, digital channels, integration patterns), and the willingness to apply relevant concepts under the guidance of senior/lead architectsSkills & AbilitiesArchitecture & Technical SkillsStrong ability to design, evaluate, and govern data models and data flowsCapable of making architectural decisions within defined guardrailsBalances short-term delivery vs long-term data architecture sustainabilityStrategic & Analytical ThinkingAble to connect data design decisions to business outcomesContributes to architecture direction and continuous improvementComfortable working with ambiguity and evolving requirementsGovernance & AccountabilityTakes ownership of architecture quality, consistency, and compliance within assigned scopeEnforces standards while adapting to practical constraintsActs as a custodian of data integrity and design qualityCommunication & InfluenceClearly communicates data architecture decisions to: Technical teamsBusiness stakeholdersAble to influence design choices and drive alignment across teamsParticipates actively in design discussions and architecture forumsCollaboration & Leadership PotentialStrong team player with the ability to guide and support othersBuilds effective relationships across business and IT stakeholdersDemonstrates readiness to grow into a full Data Architect roleWhen 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