Head of Data Architecture

Manulife; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Manulife is seeking a Head of Data Architecture, Asia Data Office, to lead enterprise data and AI architecture strategy across markets in Asia. The role defines end-to-end architectures, ensures scalable, secure delivery, and aligns with global standards and regional regulations.

You will own architecture for data/AI initiatives, drive platform modernization, and guide delivery teams toward production-ready solutions with cloud-native patterns, governance, and risk controls.

Job description

Head of Data Architecture, Asia Data Office

To support the accelerated build-out of a unified, scalable, and AI-ready data ecosystem across Asia, we are seeking a Head of Data Architecture (Director Level) to serve as the regional authority for enterprise data and AI architecture.

This role will define, govern, and drive the end-to-end data and AI architecture strategy, while also owning solution architecture for critical initiatives, ensuring scalable, secure, and production-ready delivery aligned with global standards and regional regulatory requirements.

As a capability leader within Asia Data Office, this role bridges strategy and execution, driving architectural consistency, enabling platform modernization, and ensuring adoption of cloud-native data platforms and AI/GenAI capabilities across markets.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Strategy & Architecture Leadership

• Define and lead the Asia enterprise data & AI architecture vision, strategy, and roadmap
• Establish target state architecture for data, analytics, and AI platforms
• Drive architectural alignment with global standards, regulatory requirements, and business strategy
• Lead architecture decision-making, including trade-offs, investments, and technology choices

1. End-to-End Solution Ownership

• Own end-to-end solution architecture for key data, analytics, and AI initiatives
• Ensure solutions are scalable, modular, secure, and production-ready
• Guide delivery teams across markets to ensure design integrity and consistency
• Act as the final design authority for high-impact programs

1. Platform & Technology Architecture

• Design and govern cloud-native data and AI platforms across Azure and Alicloud
• Drive adoption of modern data architectures (Data Fabric, Lakehouse, Data Mesh where applicable)
• Establish reusable architecture blueprints, patterns, and accelerators
• Including GenAI, RAG, feature stores, and MLOps patterns
• Ensure integration with enterprise platforms (PAS, CRM, Claims, Digital

1. Data Governance & Standards

• Standardize data models, pipelines, and lifecycle management practices
• Enforce enterprise standards for:
• Data quality, lineage, metadata, cataloguing
• Master/reference data management
• Data interoperability across markets
• Define and embed data governance-by-design principles

1. Security, Privacy & Responsible AI

• Establish and enforce data security, privacy, and compliance controls
• Alignment with regional regulations (e.g., India DPDP, China CSL/PIPL, etc.)
• Define and operationalize Responsible AI frameworks
• Ensure architecture supports auditability, transparency, and risk controls

1. Governance & Operating Model

• Lead architecture governance forums and design authorities
• Drive cross-market alignment and reuse of capabilities
• Institutionalize architecture guardrails, fitness functions, and automated compliance checks
• Support vendor and platform selection through architecture oversight and evaluation frameworks

1. Stakeholder & Leadership Engagement

• Partner with IT, Data, AI, Security, and Business leaders from across Global, Regional and Local level
• Act as a trusted advisor to CIO, CDO, and senior stakeholders
• Influence program direction and ensure technology investments align with long-term architecture vision
• Collaborate with global architecture teams for standardization and reuse

1. Team & Capability Development

• Lead and mentor a regional team of data solution architects
• Build capability maturity across markets
• Drive adoption of modern engineering and architecture practices

Required Qualifications:

• 20+ years of experience in data, analytics, and enterprise architecture
• 3–5 years in a leadership role (Head, Lead Architect, or equivalent)
• Proven experience in defining and delivering enterprise-scale data and AI platforms
• Strong experience with:
• Cloud platforms (Azure required, Alicloud preferred)
• Data architecture paradigms (Lakehouse, Data Fabric, Data Mesh)
• AI/ML and GenAI architectures (including RAG, MLOps)
• Experience in financial services / insurance domain
• Exposure to Asia markets and regulatory environments
• Experience in greenfield transformation or large-scale platform modernization
• Familiarity with enterprise integration patterns and distributed architectures
• Strategic thinking with execution focus
• Strong architecture governance and decision-making ability
• Deep technical expertise in modern data & AI ecosystems
• Stakeholder influence and executive communication
• Ability to operate in a federated, multi-market environment

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.

Acerca de Manulife y John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation es un importante proveedor internacional de servicios financieros que ayuda a las personas a tomar decisiones de una manera más fácil y a vivir mejor. Para obtener más información acerca de nosotros, visite http://www.manulife.com .

Manulife es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades

En Manulife/John Hancock, valoramos nuestra diversidad. Nos esforzamos por atraer, formar y retener una fuerza laboral tan diversa como los clientes a los que prestamos servicios, y para fomentar un entorno laboral inclusivo en el que se aprovechen las fortalezas de las culturas y las personas. Estamos comprometidos con la equidad en las contrataciones, la retención de talento, el ascenso y la remuneración, y administramos todas nuestras prácticas y programas sin discriminación por motivos de raza, ascendencia, lugar de origen, color, origen étnico, ciudadanía, religión o creencias religiosas, credo, sexo (incluyendo el embarazo y las afecciones relacionadas con este), orientación sexual, características genéticas, condición de veterano, identidad de género, expresión de género, edad, estado civil, estatus familiar, discapacidad, o cualquier otro aspecto protegido por la ley vigente.

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