Manager / Senior Manager, AI Model Risk & Operational Risk Oversight, Global Risk

Manulife/John Hancock; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 113,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan and retirement savings

Job summary

Manulife/John Hancock seeks an experienced Manager/Senior Manager for AI Model Risk & Operational Risk Oversight. You will provide independent second-line oversight of AI-enabled solutions, partnering with business, data science, and governance stakeholders to govern model and operational risks while supporting responsible AI adoption.

The role emphasizes credible challenge, governance, and development of risk opinions, with opportunities to influence executives and shape AI risk governance

Qualifications

• Experience in Operational Risk, Technology Risk, Model Risk Management or related risk functions.
• Experience assessing AI, machine learning, or technology-enabled solutions.
• Strong understanding of risk management frameworks and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent second-line oversight of AI model and operational risks.
• Review AI use cases and governance practices; identify risks and escalation needs.
• Develop risk opinions, oversight assessments, and executive reporting.

Skills

AI risk management

stakeholder influence

risk governance

second-line oversight

communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Python

SQL

Job description

Manulife is seeking an experienced Manager / Senior Manager, AI Model Risk & Operational Risk Oversight to provide independent second-line oversight and challenge of AI-enabled solutions across the enterprise. This role sits at the intersection of AI, technology, and risk management, helping ensure that AI-related model risks and operational risks are effectively identified, assessed, monitored, and governed. The successful candidate will partner with business, technology, data science, and governance stakeholders to provide credible challenge, influence risk-informed decision-making, and support the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including Generative AI and Agentic AI. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI risk governance while developing deep expertise in one of the fastest-growing areas of enterprise risk management.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide independent second-line oversight and challenge of AI model risks and operational risks associated with AI-enabled solutions, platforms, and business processes.
• Review and assess medium- and high-risk AI use cases, ensuring risks are appropriately identified, evaluated, mitigated, monitored, and escalated.
• Evaluate AI governance, model risk management practices, operational controls, monitoring programs, incident management activities, and regulatory compliance processes.
• Assess risks associated with machine learning models, Generative AI, large language models, foundation models, third-party AI services, and Agentic AI solutions.
• Review operational resilience, technology risk, third-party risk, change management, access controls, and incident response processes supporting AI solutions.
• Conduct thematic reviews to identify emerging risks, recurring control weaknesses, governance gaps, and systemic issues across AI portfolios.
• Develop and communicate independent risk opinions, oversight assessments, executive reporting, and committee materials.
• Provide effective challenge to business, technology, data science, and governance stakeholders while maintaining clear second-line independence.
• Support the evolution of AI Model Risk Management and Operational Risk Management frameworks, standards, methodologies, and governance practices.
• Monitor emerging industry trends, regulatory developments, and leading practices related to AI, technology risk, and responsible AI.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant experience for Manager-level candidates or 10+ years for Senior Manager-level candidates.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Risk Management, Business, or a related discipline.
• Experience in Operational Risk, Technology Risk, Model Risk Management, Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Audit, Compliance, or related risk functions.
• Experience assessing or overseeing AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, or technology-enabled solutions.
• Strong understanding of risk management frameworks, governance practices, control environments, and regulatory requirements within a regulated industry.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and provide independent challenge on complex risk matters.
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, and presentation skills.
• Bilingualism (English and French) is a strong asset.
• If the successful candidate is in Québec, proficiency in both languages will be required to support clients from various provinces outside of Quebec.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within financial services, insurance, banking, or another highly regulated industry.
• Knowledge of AI Model Risk Management frameworks and model lifecycle governance practices.
• Familiarity with Generative AI, large language models (LLMs), foundation models, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and Agentic AI solutions.
• Understanding of technology risk, operational resilience, third-party risk, cybersecurity, and AI governance frameworks.
• Practical familiarity with Python, SQL, analytics tools, or machine learning environments.
• Experience developing executive reporting, risk assessments, governance committee materials, or oversight opinions.
• Knowledge of emerging regulatory expectations related to AI, model risk, operational risk, or technology risk management.

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. #LI-Hybrid

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

• Salary range is expected to be between $113,000.00 CAD – $163,000.00 CAD.
• Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.
• The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training.
• If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [e-mail] for the salary range for your location.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.

Recent awards include: 2026 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winner Manulife Named one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2025 Financial Times World’s Best Employers Asia-Pacific 2026 We’ve been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers 2026 #1 Life Insurer for AI Maturity by Evident 2026.