Lead Security Architect

Manulife John Hancock; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Manulife John Hancock is seeking a Lead Security Architect to design and implement robust security strategies for global systems. You will translate business drivers into security roadmaps, evaluate technologies, and lead cross-organizational security programs, including AI security for ML/GenAI.

This role requires deep expertise in security architecture, risk management, and collaboration with enterprise teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, information systems, cybersecurity, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Architect security frameworks and reference architectures for global systems.
• Translate threats into security roadmaps and plans.
• Evaluate security technologies including TCO/ROI.
• Lead security projects and coordinate with cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with enterprise architecture, development, and risk management.
• Mentor development teams and communicate security strategies to leadership.
• Design AI security frameworks for ML/GenAI and agentic AI systems.

Skills

Security architecture design

Threat modeling

Security roadmaps

AI security design

Education

Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, information systems, cybersecurity, or a related field

CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional)

Tools

Firewalls

IPS

WAFs

Endpoint protection

SIEM

Log management

CI/CD security tooling

Cloud security platforms (Azure, AWS)

Job description

Lead Security Architect

At Manulife, we are changing the way we unlock value and secure the enterprise through technology and we want you to be part of it! We are growing our cybersecurity program with the vision to deliver quality applications using AI that add value to our customers, faster and securely, at scale. The customer is at the focus of everything we do, and millions of end users rely on our products daily. We are building a state-of-the-art cybersecurity program to better protect the firm's critical assets.

As a Lead Security Architect , you'll be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing robust security strategies and solutions to protect Manulife's digital assets from advanced cyber threats. In this hub-and-spoke model , you will report to the Chief Security Architect and will be the dedicated security architecture lead for a specific business unit, ensuring alignment with the global security framework while addressing the unique needs of the segment. You will play a crucial role in shaping our global security posture and ensuring security is a foundational element of our technology and business initiatives.

Position Responsibilities:

• Architectural Design : Lead the design and development of robust security frameworks, standards, and best practices for global systems, data, and networks. This includes creating reference architectures and implementation patterns for security solutions.
• Strategic Planning : Translate business, technology, and threat drivers into practical security roadmaps. You'll ensure our security strategy is aligned with broader organizational goals.
• Financial Analysis : Conduct financial evaluations of security technologies, including quantifying purchasing and licensing options, estimating labor costs, and calculating the total cost of ownership (TCO), return on investment (ROI), or payback period.
• Project Management : Draft project plans for security service and technology deployments and coordinate with stakeholders across the organization to ensure successful implementation.
• Collaboration & Integration : Work closely with various teams across Manulife's business and IT units-including enterprise architecture, development, and risk management-to seamlessly integrate security throughout the entire project lifecycle.
• Risk Management : Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and define necessary controls. Partner with global information risk management teams to prioritize and mitigate risks effectively.
• Security Evaluation : Continuously evaluate the security of new and emerging technologies and potential solutions. You will stay ahead of the curve on cybersecurity trends to recommend and implement innovative solutions.
• Mentorship & Communication : Act as a security subject matter expert, coaching and mentoring development teams. You will also communicate complex security standards and strategies to both technical staff and senior management with clarity and influence.
• AI Security: Design and implement security frameworks for Machine Learning (ML), Generative AI (GenAI), and Agentic AI systems. Evaluate AI-powered security tools and integrate artificial intelligence capabilities into security operations and threat detection.
• Application Security : Assess solution architectures for compliance with security standards, define secure service interfaces, and provide guidance to application security engineers on threat modelling and secure software development methodologies.
• Cloud Security : Provide deep expertise in securing multi-cloud computing environments (SaaS, IaaS, PaaS), with a strong focus on platforms like Microsoft Azure and AWS .

Required Qualifications:

• To succeed in this role, a candidate must have a strong blend of technical expertise, professional experience, and interpersonal skills.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, information systems, cybersecurity, or a related field.
• Relevant industry certifications such as CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) or CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional) are required.
• At least 10 years of experience specifically in senior information security architecture roles, with demonstrated progression in responsibility and complexity.
• Proven experience in the financial services industry, with understanding of regulatory requirements, compliance frameworks, and industry-specific security challenges.
• Experience in using architecture methodologies such as SABSA, Zachman, and/or TOGAF.
• Direct, hands-on experience or strong working knowledge of managing security infrastructure-e.g., firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPSs), web application firewalls (WAFs), endpoint protection, SIEM, and log management technology.
• Verifiable experience reviewing application code for security vulnerabilities and strong working knowledge of vulnerability management tools.
• Experience securing CI/CD pipelines.
• Documented experience and a strong working knowledge of