AVP, AI

John Hancock; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Mental health benefits

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Retirement savings plan

Pension and employee share ownership

Job summary

Manulife Financial Corporation / John Hancock is seeking a senior AVP of AI to lead AI-enabled transformation across Corporate Functions in a hybrid, global setting. You will drive end-to-end delivery of AI/ML initiatives, from opportunity assessment to value realization, with emphasis on security, governance, and responsible AI.

The role combines strategic leadership with deep technical expertise in Generative AI, Agentic AI, and traditional AI to scale solutions that align with enterprise

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in data science, AI/ML engineering, or applied ML with leadership of large-scale AI initiatives.
• Hands-on expertise with Python, cloud-based ML platforms, MLOps, vector databases, LLMOps, and modern AI development frameworks; experience with Agentic AI preferred.
• Experience delivering AI solutions in financial crime prevention, fraud detection, or regulated environments.
• Experience partnering with Corporate Functions and driving business transformation through technology.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks (FSA or equivalents).
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to operate in a global, matrixed environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering/Data Science; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of AI solutions from opportunity assessment to value realization.
• Manage a portfolio of AI initiatives delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Lead cross-functional teams of AI/ML engineers, data scientists, product partners, and stakeholders.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership including solution design, architecture, and prototyping as needed.
• Partner with leaders across functions to identify high-value AI opportunities.
• Translate business needs into scalable AI solutions aligned with enterprise strategy.
• Provide thought leadership on Generative, Agentic AI, and ML technologies.
• Drive stakeholder adoption and integration of AI into business processes.
• Ensure solutions adhere to security, governance, model risk management, and responsible AI standards.

Skills

Python

Cloud ML platforms

MLOps

Vector databases

LLMOps

Agentic AI

Executive leadership

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering/Data Science

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Python

Cloud ML platforms

Prototyping

Job description

The AVP, AI is a senior AI leader responsible for driving the delivery of AI-enabled transformation across Corporate Functions. This role combines strategic leadership with deep technical expertise to identify, develop, and scale AI solutions that deliver measurable business value. A key area of focus includes AI-powered fraud detection and financial crime prevention.

Working at the intersection of business strategy and AI engineering, the AVP partners with senior leaders to identify opportunities, define roadmaps, and lead multidisciplinary teams in delivering Classical AI, Generative AI, and Agentic AI solutions that align with enterprise standards for security, governance, and responsible AI.

Position Responsibilities:

AI Transformation Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of AI solutions, from opportunity assessment and design through deployment, adoption, and value realization.
• Manage a portfolio of AI initiatives, ensuring delivery of measurable business outcomes.
• Lead cross-functional teams of AI/ML engineers, data scientists, product partners, and business stakeholders.
• Provide hands‑on technical leadership, including solution design, architecture, and prototyping as needed.

Stakeholder Engagement & Strategy

• Partner with leaders across Corporate Functions to identify and prioritize high‑value AI opportunities.
• Translate business needs into scalable AI solutions aligned with enterprise strategy.
• Provide thought leadership on Generative AI, Agentic AI, and machine learning technologies.
• Drive stakeholder adoption and integration of AI into business processes.

Governance & Enterprise Integration

• Ensure solutions adhere to enterprise standards for security, governance, model risk management, and responsible AI.
• Collaborate with enterprise partners to deliver secure, scalable, and compliant AI solutions.
• Promote reuse of enterprise platforms, components, and best practices.
• Represent Corporate Functions AI initiatives in governance and portfolio forums.

Required Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in data science, AI/ML engineering, or applied machine learning, including leadership of large‑scale AI initiatives.
• Hands‑on expertise with Python, cloud‑based ML platforms, MLOps, vector databases, LLMOps, and modern AI development frameworks; experience with Agentic AI is strongly preferred.
• Experience delivering AI solutions within financial crime prevention, fraud detection, or similarly regulated environments.
• Experience partnering with Corporate Functions and driving business transformation through technology.
• Knowledge of Financial Services Authority (FSA) or comparable regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high‑performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value.
• Ability to operate effectively in a global, matrixed environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

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.

This posting supports an ongoing hiring initiative for existing and/or future vacancies.

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

Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$129,800.00 CAD - $241,200.00 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.

• Health
• Dental
• Mental health
• Vision
• Short- and long‑term disability
• Life and AD&D insurance coverage
• Adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits
• Employee/family assistance plans
• Retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions)
• Financial education and counseling resources
• Paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days
• Full range of statutory leaves of absence

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.