The Head of Internal Audit, Japan is accountable for overseeing and leading the Japan audit team to complete audit projects of assigned areas/country (including key risk audits, key risk reviews, defined procedures reviews, advisory projects, investigations and other special projects) independently. The candidate is also responsible to ensure the delivery of high quality, professional, cost-effective, value-added and risk-based audit and advisory services within Asia. While remaining independent, Audit and Advisory Services provides added value by working with management at all levels to improve the management of various forms of risk.  The function provides assurance services to senior management and the board of directors, which assist them in overseeing the management of risk in Manulife.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and lead a team to execute various types of engagements of assigned areas/country (including regional, group-wide audits, Sarbanes-Oxley projects (aka SOX) and advisory projects) independently in accordance with the audit methodology, departmental standards and regulatory requirements.
• Coach and lead a team to assess adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls of the responsible areas/country.
• Independently present findings, resolve conflicts and reach agreement with the business unit management; and make practical and value-added recommendations to improve control environment and efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• Review audit reports prepared by the team. Audit reports are to be clear, concise, risk based, well-organized, and issued within departmental service standards.
• Attend and coach audit team to present and explain audit updates, audit reports, annual risk assessments, annual audit plan and department budget, etc, as needed, to the Audit Committee. Manage Q&A sessions with the Audit Committee independently.
• Drive the departmental digital strategy. Uplift data and analytics capabilities to improve effectiveness and efficiency of audit process.
• Monitor departmental KPIs. Ensure projects are completed within time budgets and target dates and with good quality.
• Build strong audit team with sustainable team structure and succession plan. 
• Uplift business knowledge and technical capabilities of the team. Grow the audit teams in the responsible markets/functions to cope with the organization's growth strategy. Manage the team's performance and expectations.
• Lead and coach team members to maintain resilience and keep pace with changes.
• Take ownership and coach the team over relationship management for key stakeholders of responsible areas/country.
• Keep abreast of the latest strategic priorities of responsible country. Plan and deliver audits on key risk areas. Assist management by providing consulting advice, where applicable.
• Oversee timely implementation of remediation actions and issue closure by management.
• Monitor expenses to meet approved department budget and adherence to expense policies.
• Support Assistant Vice President over regional departmental initiatives.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies:

• Good knowledge of life insurance and asset management business, audit methodologies, control frameworks and risk management techniques.
• Relevant business experience outside of internal or external audit will be an asset.
• Actuarial experience in valuation, or product development in pricing (good to have).
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, oral and written over Japanese and 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 team members at all levels to Assistant Vice President.
• Results oriented and able to strike balance on multiple priorities and projects.
• Sound business judgment in assessing significance of issues and developing value added recommendations.
• Ability to participate as part of a senior leadership team.
• Commitment to quality and able to adapt to changes.
• 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.
• 15+ years relevant experience

Problems/Challenges:

• Effectively communicate with business unit management, Audit Committee and audit team, to independently 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 team members.
• Effectively coach team members to maintain resilience and keep pace with changes
• Some degree of travel (less than 20%)

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

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.

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