Manager, Risk and Controls

Manulife group; Southwestern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 85,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Manulife Financial Corporation in Waterloo, Ontario, invites applications for a Manager, Risk & Control Governance to lead risk and control activities across Retirement Operations, strengthening the control environment.

You will oversee the Operational Risk Management Framework, including RCSAs, CAPs, and governance reporting, and supervise SOC1 controls programs while partnering with leaders to drive risk-informed decisions.

Qualifications

• At least 5+ years in operational risk management, audit, or internal controls.
• Experience leading risk professionals and cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of RCSAs, risk events, CAPs, and SOC1 controls.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team responsible for risk and control governance across Retirement Operations.
• Oversee execution of the Operational Risk Management Framework, including RCSAs, reportable events, CAPs, and governance reporting.
• Provide risk-based guidance to business leaders on operational risks, control effectiveness, remediation activities, and emerging risks.
• Oversee Retirement Operations' SOC1 program, including control governance, deficiency assessment, remediation tracking, and overall program delivery.
• Support the design, implementation, and monitoring of quality controls and quality management activities to strengthen the control environment.
• Partner with business leaders, audit, and risk management teams to support audits, issue remediation, process improvements, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop and present risk reporting, trends, and insights to support effective business decision-making.

Skills

Operational risk management

Leadership

Governance

RCSA / CAPs

SOC 1 controls

Quality management

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication

Bilingual English/French

Education

CPA / CIA / CRISC

Professional designation

Tools

Archer

Job description

The Manager, Risk & Control Governance provides risk and control leadership to Retirement Operations business units and is responsible for overseeing the execution of key components of the Operational Risk Management Framework. This role partners closely with operational leaders to identify, assess, monitor, and remediate operational risks while supporting a strong control environment and risk-aware culture.

The successful candidate brings a strong understanding of operational risk management, internal controls, quality management programs, SOC1 controls, and business operations. They are a trusted advisor who can effectively partner with stakeholders, lead a team of risk professionals, and provide practical, risk-based guidance to support business objectives.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a team responsible for risk and control governance activities across Retirement Operations
• Oversee execution of the Operational Risk Management Framework, including Risk and Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs), reportable events, corrective action plans (CAPs), and governance reporting
• Provide risk-based guidance to business leaders on operational risks, control effectiveness, remediation activities, and emerging risks
• Oversee Retirement Operations' SOC1 program, including control governance, deficiency assessment, remediation tracking, and overall program delivery
• Support the design, implementation, and monitoring of quality controls and quality management activities to strengthen the control environment
• Partner with business leaders, audit, and risk management teams to support audits, issue remediation, process improvements, and strategic initiatives
• Develop and present risk reporting, trends, and insights to support effective business decision-making

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in operational risk management, audit, internal controls, quality management, compliance, or a related discipline
• Bilingualism (English and French) is an asset. If the successful candidate is in Québec, proficiency in both languages will be required to support clients from various provinces outside of Quebec.
• Experience leading and developing employees in a professional environment
• Strong understanding of operational risk management, internal controls, governance practices, and risk assessment methodologies
• Experience supporting or overseeing RCSAs, risk events, corrective action plans, audit activities, or control programs
• Knowledge of quality management programs, control monitoring, and continuous improvement practices
• Experience supporting SOC1 controls, assurance programs, or similar control frameworks
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence and present to senior leaders

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience within Retirement Operations or broader financial services operations
• Experience with Archer or other Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) platforms
• Professional designations such as CPA, CIA, CRISC, or equivalent
• Experience working with regulatory, audit, or assurance functions

When 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.

The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

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 [e-mail].

Referenced Salary Location

Waterloo, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$85,300.00 CAD - $135,300.00 CAD

Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

• Manulife 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 and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources.
• Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.
• U.S.-specific paid time off provisions are available to employees in the U.S. (noted here as "If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact [e-mail] for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.")

We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our personal information collection statement.