Alternative Investment Operations Director – Derivatives Services

• Provide functional oversight to continuously enable the Derivative Services teams to efficiently deliver on change initiatives, while continuing to produce consistent, high quality, delivery of BAU services for both the General Accounts and Asset Management businesses.

• Drive strategic initiatives to deliver risk-averse scalability, transparency, and synergistic alignment across the function.
• Drive the sharing of best practices, fostering collaboration and innovation across the teams within the group.
• Provide senior management support with focus on ramping up efforts to digitize governance and oversight model within the function, while interfacing with key Business Unit decision makers.
• In partnership with the business, accountable for the execution on key transformation strategies of the group, as a priority, which includes strategic reviews on existing processes, contributing to the change agenda by submitting business cases for prioritization, and ensuring smooth execution on active transformation programs.
• Champion and foster an innovation culture by encouraging teams in stepping outside of their comfort zone and supporting them through obstacles.

• Manage and mitigate operational risk and ensure that issues are escalated and resolved timely and effectively.
• Validate the accuracy of operational risk heat maps and other risk assessments.
• Collaborate with local and segment risk functions. Ensure the effective cascade and communication of operational risk awareness and management practices.
• Drive periodic scenario-based tabletop exercises for business continuity planning to ensure there is no service disruption to the business.
• Accountable for timely and effective closure of audit points.

• To ensure customer-centered outcomes. Enable feedback channels to the business to align expectations and priorities.
• Define and periodically refresh service level standards across the teams within the domain and manage the delivery and reporting of KRI’s and KPIs, as defined within the Service Level Agreements and Schedule of Services.
• Effectively manage direct and indirect costs associated with the function. Provide cost transparency to Finance teams and Business Unit, as needed.
• Oversee annual business planning and business unit goal setting efforts.
• Ensures that teams proactively contribute to the development of overall procedures and policies that are adhered to by subordinate leaders/teams.
• Accountable for ensuring that the team deliver timely/accurate information required for performance and risk reporting, business dashboards, governance reporting and other metrics as required for decision making.
• Accountable for successful transitions of work and aligning toward a global business shared services operation model that is scalable and efficient.

• Manage a growing team with responsibility for hiring, compensation, promotion, and performance management.
• Develop the group’s capability and functional expertise through training, coaching/mentoring, strategic talent and production management, succession planning, and supporting mobility.
• Foster career progression by promoting talent brokering and supporting internal mobility by having succession plans in place.
• Engage teams by personalizing recognition and feedback, and treating all members with dignity and respect
• Embrace and champion diversity, ensure recruitment and selection practices reflect a diverse set of candidates and talent pipeline

• University degree in accounting, finance, or business management. Recognized investment, finance, or accounting designation preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years in a senior role leading and developing global operations/ large teams and working across multiple geographies/time zones. Experience of working within a captured shared services environment an advantage.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in financial services, with a strong focus on Derivatives operations, collateral management, clearing and trade support.
• Industry certification such as CAIA, CFA, or FRM is a plus.
• Prior experience of managing (forecasting, monthly tracking, etc.) operational budgets, covering both discretionary spend and fixed costs.
• Extensive knowledge on various derivative products such as Swaps, Options, Futures, Forwards and others – including how they are accounted for in investment book of records, trading platforms, custody records, and in SWIFT messages.
• Broad knowledge of life insurance and asset management businesses, audit methodologies, control frameworks, and risk management techniques.
• Participates in educational opportunities; reads professional publications; maintains networks and participates in professional organizations to always be up to date on job knowledge.

• Innovative thinker with the ability to negotiate, influence, and challenge the status quo to continuously improve processes and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across cultures and geographies.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to work with complex financial issues and concepts.
• Familiarity with project management approaches, tools, and phases of the project lifecycle and in delivering continuous improvement projects.
• Ability to work in ambiguous environment and adapt to fast-paced change, while managing time and workload with aggressive timelines.
• Flexible on shift and working hours, as required to meet business deadlines and deliverables.
• Experience in working in a broad Matrix organization listening and using influence to make an impact. Proven track record and positive reputation to influence others and move toward a common vision or goal, within and/or beyond their business area.
• Experience working across multiple geographies and time zones. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across cultures, geographies and senior leadership. Outstanding communication and active listening skills.

• 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.

Manulife