Senior Data Scientist

Company 512 - Manulife Financial (Singapore) Pte Ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A major financial services provider in Singapore seeks a Senior Data Scientist to lead AI initiatives and enhance machine learning capabilities across insurance processes. This role involves collaborating with global teams, developing analytical solutions, and translating complex business problems into actionable insights. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in data science and a thorough understanding of the financial services industry, along with strong technical skills in Python, SQL, and data management.

Benefits

Flexible work environment

Career development opportunities

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in Data Science and Machine Learning, preferably in the financial services industry.
• Hands-on experience in multivariate analysis and statistical techniques.
• Expert in building AI/ML models using Python, R, SAS, or SQL.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI initiatives and deliver machine learning solutions.
• Manage project effectiveness and report benefits.
• Collaborate with global teams for modeling standards.
• Guide in-country teams on quantitative analyses.

Skills

Data Science

Machine Learning

Statistical Techniques

Python

Communication Skills

Tools

SQL

Azure

Hadoop

SAS

R

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a driven and innovative Senior Data Scientist to join the AI Centre of Excellence at Manulife Asia, based in Singapore. In this role, you will lead regional and business‑unit–level AI initiatives, delivering insurance‑focused machine learning and GenAI solutions across the value chain. Leveraging deep data science expertise and strong insurance domain knowledge, you will translate advanced analytics into measurable business outcomes by embedding scalable AI solutions into operational workflows. You will also own the design and implementation of robust AI evaluation and monitoring frameworks to ensure long‑term performance, scalability, and business value.

Position Responsibilities

• Delivery of machine learning and AI capabilities across insurance value chain.
• Management of campaign effectiveness and model maintenance across markets, and cross pollination of best practices
• Tracking and reporting of AI project benefits; identifying improvement opportunities and additional business initiatives
• Supporting analytics data strategy focusing on data optimization/monetization opportunities using internal data, identifying external data sources to enrich Manulife analytics database, as well as supporting data governance initiatives
• Lead the development of advanced predictive/prescriptive models, and other analytical solutions for Asia markets to support the company’s profitable growth
• Collaborate with global teams and other countries within the region to establish global modeling standard, governance, and a set of umbrella modeling solutions; ensure compliance with AI CoE standard to maintain analytics rigor and discipline
• Establish and maintain regional/global model repository which captures, tracks and dynamically diagnoses models-in-use
• Provide expert guidance to the in‑country Analytics team on conducting advanced quantitative analyses/modeling both technically and under the right domain/context
• Support data strategy
• Enable effective engagement with prospects / existing customers leading to higher new sales, repeat sales, leveraging data & advanced analytics models/techniques across all channels, eg Agency, Banca, Digital direct etc
• Provide expert guidance to the in‑country AI team on conducting advanced quantitative analyses facilitating effective targeting, segmentation, and identification of opportunities around cross‑sell / up‑sell, and marketing program optimization
• Support Banca/digital channel expansion as well as raising sales efficiencies through data/analytics model driven targeting and personalized offer.
• Recognize market, product and channel specific challenges, innovatively propose the most effective and efficient actions driven by analytics solutions which balances time‑to‑market with analytics rigor
• Partner with regional / BU business stakeholders in prioritizing and optimizing activities / decisions driven by analytics solutions, in a customer‑centric, need‑based context
• Guide and help the in‑country AI team to design, develop and draw insights from campaigns – with a focus on the rigor required for analytics model development
• Institute regional / BU level analytics result tracking / reporting capabilities, and develop / maintain regional best practices in campaign management
• Identify root cause and improvement opportunities in case of underperformance
• Escalate early risks and mitigation action points for respective markets
• Develop next year business plan and targets by collaborating with markets

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in Data Science and Machine Learning, preferably within the retail financial services industry, prior experience in insurance/reinsurance domain is a huge plus
• Hands‑on experience of multivariate analysis, modeling, segmentation and UW/claims/contact center/distribution analytics using statistical techniques
• Expert in both concept and building AI/ML models, also in using data mining languages /tools eg, some or all of Python, SAS, R, SQL or equivalents
• Experience in any big data/ cloud solution of Azure, Hadoop, Hive, Spark etc. is a plus
• Strong experience in deploying analytics solutions including targeting, test and control development, response tracking and analysis
• Experience translating complex business problems into analytical requirements and propose actionable solutions based on internal and external best practice.
• Strong communication and presentation skills. Ability to persuade a wide range of colleagues
• Ability to lead and build an initiative from scratch and to handle high level of ambiguity
• Able to maintain strong, productive relationships with stakeholders and external partners
• Able to work independently as well as a good team player
• Highly regulated business environment by nature
• Some analytical solution is difficult to measure the exact financial impact, or right on the path but no immediate big financial impact and how to align stakeholders
• Data availability and data quality issues in certain markets can always be challenges to build sound analytical solutions
• Deploying analytical findings require multiple efforts from multiple stakeholders from both regional and local
• Managing stakeholders with conflicting objectives/priorities
• 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

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 .

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 .