Global Financial Crime Modernization Lead – AVP

Manulife • London, OH

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Global Financial Crime (FC) Modernization Lead – AVP is responsible for driving the modernization of Financial Crime systems and processes across Manulife globally. This role owns the FC Modernization roadmap, ensuring delivery of integrated, scalable, and auditable solutions that meet regulatory expectations and business objectives. The position requires strong program management, governance leadership, and collaboration with Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) and Technology teams to enable transformation aligned with Manulife’s cost discipline framework.
Position Responsibilities:
Program Leadership & Governance
Own and execute the FC Modernization roadmap in alignment with Manulife’s governance structure (Executive Committee, Steering Committee, Operating Committee, Workstreams).
Lead communication across governance forums, ensuring timely escalation of risks, issues, and decisions.
Prepare and present program updates, dashboards, and recommendations to senior leadership and committees.
Create and maintain program collateral (status reports, risk logs, decision trackers) using PMP best practices.
Partner with FC Technology
Collaborate closely with FC Tech teams to translate regulatory and operational requirements into actionable technology solutions.
Ensure alignment between compliance objectives and technical architecture, design, and delivery.
Global Rollout & Integration
Coordinate global implementation of FC platforms and tools, ensuring consistency and compliance across regions.
Oversee integration of Transaction Monitoring (TM), Screening, Customer Risk Rating (CRR) models, and Case Management systems to deliver a unified, efficient ecosystem.
Regulatory & Stakeholder Engagement
Act as the primary liaison for regulatory communication related to modernization initiatives.
Influence decision-making across global teams and secure buy-in for modernization initiatives.
Financial Management & Business Case Development
Develop and manage program budgets in alignment with Manulife’s cost discipline framework.
Build business cases to justify investments, highlighting projected headcount efficiencies and measurable savings from automation and improved staffing quality.
Track and report financial performance against budget and savings targets.
Continuous Improvement
Identify and implement process enhancements to optimize FC systems and workflows.
Governance Responsibilities:
Executive Committee (ExCo): Provide strategic direction and escalate unresolved program conflicts; present key decisions and progress updates bi-monthly.
Steering Committee (SteerCo): Deliver executive-level program updates, funding decisions, and risk mitigation strategies monthly.
Operating Committee (OpCo): Report on cross-workstream risks, issues, and decisions weekly.
Workstreams: Ensure detailed planning, execution, and reporting of workstream deliverables; status reports due weekly.
Solution Design Authority: Collaborate on architecture, process, and scope decisions ad hoc.
Executive Connect: Provide strategic guidance and recommendations prior to final decisions monthly.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Technology, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience: 15+ years of experience either: In a senior leadership role responsible for managing departmental objectives and large-scale projects OR In Financial Crime Compliance, AML, or technology transformation roles
• Certifications: CAMS, PMP, or equivalent preferred.
• Skills: Strong leadership and program management capabilities.
• Expertise in FC systems (TM, Screening, CRR, Case Management).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including regulatory engagement.
• Ability to develop business cases and manage budgets effectively.
• Proficiency in program management tools and methodologies (PMP standards).

Responsibilities

• Own and execute the FC Modernization roadmap in alignment with Manulife’s governance structure (Executive Committee, Steering Committee, Operating Committee, Workstreams).
• Lead communication across governance forums, ensuring timely escalation of risks, issues, and decisions.
• Prepare and present program updates, dashboards, and recommendations to senior leadership and committees.
• Create and maintain program collateral (status reports, risk logs, decision trackers) using PMP best practices.
• Collaborate closely with FC Tech teams to translate regulatory and operational requirements into actionable technology solutions.
• Ensure alignment between compliance objectives and technical architecture, design, and delivery.
• Coordinate global implementation of FC platforms and tools, ensuring consistency and compliance across regions.
• Oversee integration of Transaction Monitoring (TM), Screening, Customer Risk Rating (CRR) models, and Case Management systems to deliver a unified, efficient ecosystem.
• Act as the primary liaison for regulatory communication related to modernization initiatives.
• Influence decision-making across global teams and secure buy-in for modernization initiatives.
• Develop and manage program budgets in alignment with Manulife’s cost discipline framework.
• Build business cases to justify investments, highlighting projected headcount efficiencies and measurable savings from automation and improved staffing quality.
• Track and report financial performance against budget and savings targets.
• Identify and implement process enhancements to optimize FC systems and workflows.

Benefits

• Manulife/John Hancock offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans.
• We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources.
• Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level