Global Head of IT Finance

Global Head of IT Finance

Apply locations: Toronto, Ontario/Oakville, Ontario/Waterloo, Ontario

Time type: Full time

Posted: 2 Days Ago

Job Requisition ID: JR

We are a well-known financial services provider dedicated to simplifying decisions and enhancing lives for our customers and colleagues worldwide. From our sustainability projects to our community initiatives, we lead by example with our values at the core of our operations. We believe that when our team members are healthy, valued, and constantly challenged, we all succeed. Join our Winning Team today to discover opportunities for career growth, impactful contributions, and driving genuine change.

Working Arrangement: Hybrid

Job Description

The opportunity

The Global Head of IT Finance will provide direct support to various IT departments, including the Global Chief Information Officer (CIO), the Global CIO Leadership Team, Segment IT Leadership teams (Asia, Canada, US, and WAM), Segment CFOs, and Functional heads/areas. This role serves as the primary contact for IT in terms of expense policy setting, reporting, systems, strategy, and analysis. Additionally, this position will oversee a team that acts as a trusted advisor on all expense matters for IT stakeholders and will represent the IT Function on expense issues with a significant influence on parties external to Finance and/or the Group.

The role involves formulating, implementing, and maintaining an effective approach to expenses in alignment with the company's global expense vision. The incumbent will drive the transformation of expense management functions towards a more comprehensive end-to-end model that enables standardization, simplification, and increased automation of processes for improved expense management practices. Responsibilities include delivering accurate and detailed financial data and reports on expenses/performance, managing expense policy and accounting systems, as well as establishing and upholding a robust internal control environment to facilitate risk management and achievement of business goals.

The role is expected to lead and support a team of over 30 professionals, with 8 direct reports across various locations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Expense Transformation: Collaborate with different business partners to drive the development and implementation of the Global Expense transformation. This includes establishing a future state vision for Expense Shared Service, influencing key executives, building segment-specific resources, formulating new processes and controls, and leading the transition to a Global functional model.
• Advisory: Act as a representative for Expense Shared Services and provide advisory to business partners. Lead the continuous evolution of expense processes and philosophies to enhance expense management capabilities. Develop and implement clear expense systems and policies, and offer timely expense analysis to assess performance and efficiency, identify key drivers, promote accountability, and integrate costs with benefits.
• Closed Loop Expense Reporting: Design and implement the expense reporting structure to measure savings in the Closed Loop model across functional areas and track progress against targets.
• Financial Reporting: Generate and analyze monthly and quarterly expense reports to meet user needs. Maintain and update expense accounting and reporting processes to align with evolving practices and meet accounting requirements. Enhance expense reporting quality to ensure compliance with financial, operational, and regulatory standards.
• Financial Systems & Operational Controls: Enhance expense systems and internal controls to manage operational, financial, and compliance risks. Develop and maintain process and control documentation for knowledge sharing, staff training, and audit purposes.
• Annual Strategic Plan & Expense Budgets: Lead the coordination and preparation of annual expense budgets. Improve processes for transparent expense planning and efficiency enhancements. Engage with leadership teams to review budgets and actual expense results.
• Expense Projects: Manage various projects, including ad-hoc analysis, transitioning to new reporting tools, providing financial support to business areas, and developing new expense allocation policies.
• Financial Analysis: Provide essential financial analysis to key stakeholders regularly, offering insights and recommendations on expense items, cost-benefit analyses, vendor assessments, and more.
• Policies and Procedures: Establish and maintain expense-related policies and procedures, participate in policy formulation, and implement relevant policies and procedures across segments.

What motivates you?

• You prioritize customers, actively listen to their needs, and take actions that benefit them.
• You think innovatively, exploring new ways to achieve business outcomes with agility.
• You excel in collaborative environments and enjoy accomplishing tasks collectively.
• You demonstrate ownership, focusing on developing solutions that truly matter.
• You uphold integrity, do what is right, and are not afraid to voice your opinions.
• You contribute to a diverse and inclusive work environment, sharing your humanity to support others.

What we are looking for:

• An in-depth understanding of financial, planning & analysis activities, IT functions, project accounting, business practices, controls, and financial principles applicable to financial institutions and expense management.
• Ability to engage independently with senior executives, deliver strong written and oral communication, influence others towards a new vision, and drive progress and change.
• Proficiency in accounting and systems [IFRS, SmartView, Dodeca, and PowerBI], excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, multitasking abilities, and strong project management capabilities.
• Financial modelling skills, professional designation (MBA, CPA, CA, CGA, CMA) preferred with over 10 years of related experience.

What can we offer you?

• A competitive salary and benefits packages.
• An upward and outward growth trajectory, encouraging the pursuit of passions and acquisition of new skills.
• Support for advancing your career path within the organization.
• Flexible work policies and emphasis on work-life balance.
• Professional development and leadership opportunities.

Our commitment to you

• Values-first culture: We prioritize our Values every day and embody them collectively.
• Boundless opportunity: We create avenues for continuous learning and growth throughout your career.
• Continuous innovation: Join us in reshaping the future of financial services through innovation.
• Delivering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We foster an inclusive workplace where everyone prospers.
• Championing Corporate Citizenship: We build a business that benefits all stakeholders and has a positive social and environmental impact.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a prominent international financial services group dedicated to simplifying decisions and enhancing lives for individuals worldwide. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate across Asia, Canada, Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Our offerings include financial advice, insurance, wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups, and institutions. As of 2022, we have a significant employee base, extensive agent network, and we manage substantial assets globally. Join us in making a positive impact on our customers' lives and futures.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, diversity is at the heart of our organization. We aim to attract, develop, and retain a diverse workforce that mirrors the diversity of our customers. We are committed to fair practices and programs, treating all individuals equally without discrimination based on various factors. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and strive to create an inclusive work environment.

Salary & Benefits

The annual base salary for this role is detailed below. If you are applying from a location other than the primary one listed, please inquire about the salary range for your area. Compensation may vary based on local market conditions, job-related factors, and individual qualifications.

If you join us, you will be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, mental health, vision, insurance coverage, retirement savings plans, paid time off, and more. We are dedicated to supporting our employees' well-being and professional development.

About Us

Our team at Manulife and John Hancock is committed to improving lives and simplifying decisions for our global customer base. We offer a challenging yet supportive work environment where your contributions matter. Join us in our mission to make a positive difference in the world of financial services.

* Note: This is a reformulation of the original job listing description, with enhancements and formatting for improved readability and clarity.