Head of Internal Audit, Singapore

Responsibilities:

• Plan and lead a team to execute various types of audits and advisory projects of assigned areas/countries (including supporting Regional and Group-wide audits which covered the assigned countries) in accordance with the audit methodology, departmental standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Assess adequacy of risk management and internal controls in business. Present findings to and reach agreement with the business unit management; make practical and value-added recommendations to improve control environment and efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• Prepare clear, concise, and well-organized audit reports in accordance with departmental service standards.
• Perform risk assessments and audit plan based on risks and applicable requirements for assigned areas.
• Prepare and present audit updates, audit reports, audit plan and department budget to Senior Management and the Audit Committee or its equivalents.
• Prepare presentation materials for various committees and executive meetings.
• Utilize technology to improve effectiveness and efficiency of audit process.
• Ensure quality of work completed.
• Manage projects within time budgets and target dates, reporting any timing problems or budget over-runs to audit management.
• Provide coaching to team members and manage their performance and expectations.
• Own relationship management responsibility of assigned area/country. Assist business unit management by providing consulting advice.
• Follow up with business unit management regularly on the status/implementation of remediation actions for timely audit issue closure.
• Actively participates in departmental initiatives.
• Collaborate with other control functions to address higher risk items of the Company.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies:

• 12+ years’ relevant experience over internal audit of life insurance and asset management sector. Having insurance and fund management qualifications (e.g., LOMA) is a plus.
• Sales and Product compliance experience, and Actuarial experience in valuation, product development in pricing would be considered an asset.
• Good knowledge of audit methodologies, control frameworks and risk management techniques.
• Excellent communication skills, for both oral and written English. Able to deal with confrontations and resolve conflicts.
• Proven leadership skills and demonstrate people management capabilities.
• Proven relationship skills including ability to deal effectively with staff at all levels to Assistant Vice President.
• Results-oriented with a keen focus on quality and delivering value; ability to balance multiple priorities and projects; strong attention to detail while retaining focus on the “big picture” and top risks; flexible and organized with the ability to oversee multiple projects concurrently.
• Ability to quickly understand business processes and risks, identify key controls, analyze complex situations, reach appropriate conclusions, make value-added and practical recommendations and influence management to take appropriate actions on recommendations.
• Recognized accounting (CA, CMA, CGA, CPA) or auditing (CIA, CISA) professional designation.
• Strong team-player who willingly and openly shares ideas and knowledge. Able to collaborate with different team members in a multi-cultural environment.
• Provide clear and timely constructive feedback. At the same time, actively seeks feedback from others and incorporates any necessary changes.
• Challenges the status quo and proactively makes suggestions for continuous improvement.

Problems/Challenges:

• Effectively communicate with business unit senior management and staff, to present audit findings clearly and concisely, reach agreement on appropriate solutions to risk management and operational efficiency issues.
• Prioritize and time management in a multi-tasking environment.
• Need to work overtime to meet internal or external deadlines.
• Analyze business processes and controls over a wide diversity of operations across Asia, including in life and asset management business, identify key risks and control deficiencies, and develop practical and value-added recommendations for management implementation exercising sound business judgment.
• Establishing a high level of credibility and maintaining sound business relationships with business unit and department management and staff.
• Some degree of work and meetings beyond Asia office hours and business travels within Asia.

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 recruitment@manulife.com .