Manulife · 15 hours ago
AVP, Finance Data & AI
Boston, Massachusetts
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$157K/yr - $291K/yr
8+ years expManulife is a leading international financial services provider, and they are seeking an AVP, Finance Data & AI to shape the future of Finance through data and AI. This leadership role involves building AI strategies, driving data governance, and collaborating with various teams to enhance Finance operations and outcomes.
FinanceFinancial ExchangesFinancial Services
Responsibilities
Shape and lead the multi‑year AI strategy for Finance, identifying high‑value AI and analytics use cases and maintaining a prioritized roadmap aligned to Finance’s transformation goals
Oversee design, deployment, and performance of AI solutions, ensuring responsible use, strong governance, and measurable business outcomes across Finance workflows and platforms
Drive AI literacy and citizen development, building training programs, guardrails, and a Finance AI Community of Practice to accelerate adoption and innovation
Lead Finance’s data strategy, governance, and enablement, ensuring high‑quality, well‑governed, accessible data; supporting GDO policies; and advancing curated data layers and semantic models
Partner across Finance, IT, enterprise data, and risk teams to implement governance tools, align with global standards, and ensure secure, scalable, compliant data and AI solutions
Guide data delivery teams and Finance consumers on optimal data usage, documentation, and best practices across platforms such as Power BI, Alteryx, and Anaplan
Qualification
Required
Extensive Finance & Transformation Experience: A strong finance background with roughly 8–10+ years of experience in finance or financial services, including roles in finance transformation, analytics, or strategy. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of core finance processes (planning, forecasting, accounting, reporting) and how they interconnect, enabling them to identify where data and AI can make an impact. Leadership exposure in large-scale projects or change programs is essential
Experience leading end-to-end implementation of technology or data projects in Finance
Extensive working experience with accounting, finance and IT professionals, with ability of understanding complex AI and Data concepts
Data Management & Governance Expertise: In-depth knowledge of data governance principles (data lineage, metadata management, data stewardship) and hands-on experience with tools/technologies for data integration and business intelligence are required
Understanding of finance data (FP&A, accounting, reporting) processes
Familiarity with tools such as Alteryx, Power BI, Power Apps, SQL Server, and metadata documentation practices
Experience guiding data delivery teams and consumers in optimal data usage (e.g. EDL layers, Power BI, Alteryx, Anaplan)
General understanding/ awareness in data governance, including data classification, security, retention, access control, and monitoring
AI and Analytics Acumen: Strong working knowledge of AI/analytics technologies and their applications in business. The candidate does not need to be a data scientist, but should understand concepts like machine learning, predictive modeling, process automation, and AI governance. They should be familiar with common AI use cases in finance and emerging trends (for example, predictive forecasting, AI in risk assessment, NLP for report generation)
Strategic Thinker with Execution Ability: Visionary planning skills to set a forward-looking strategy, combined with the practical ability to execute complex programs. The AVP must be adept at formulating a clear strategy and actionable roadmap, then driving it to completion through measurable milestones. This requires strong project/program management skills, the ability to prioritize initiatives, and comfort managing ambiguity and evolving priorities. They should have a results-driven mindset, ensuring that data/AI initiatives tangibly improve business outcomes
Exceptional Stakeholder Management and Communication: Excellent communication skills are mandatory – both in articulating complex ideas in simple terms and in active listening. The AVP will regularly interface with C-level executives, operations teams, and technical experts. Ability to influence and build trust at all levels is crucial. They should have a track record of successfully gaining buy-in for new initiatives and navigating organizational dynamics. Strong presentation and storytelling skills are needed to convey the value of data and AI initiatives to non-technical stakeholders
Reputation as a trusted advisor to business leadership
Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication
Proven Leadership & Team Development: People leadership experience, including managing teams or large cross-functional groups. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to inspire and guide teams toward a common vision, coach and develop talent, and cultivate high performance. Experience in managing diverse skillsets (such as finance analysts, data analysts, data engineers, data scientists) is beneficial, as this role sits at the intersection of these domains. A leadership style that emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and innovation will fit well
Educational Background and Certifications: A strong academic background in fields intersecting finance and data. A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Data Science, Computer Science, or related field. An MBA or relevant Master's degree is highly desirable for the strategic and cross-functional breadth of this role
Benefits
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
Various retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions)
Financial education and counseling resources
Generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year
Full range of statutory leaves of absence
Company
Manulife
Manulife is a leading international financial services group that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$3.31B2025-12-02Post Ipo Debt· $1B
2024-06-11Post Ipo Debt· $363.5M
2023-03-07Post Ipo Debt· $1.2B
Leadership Team
Phil Witherington
President and CEO
Steve Finch
President and CEO, Manulife Asia
Recent News
2026-01-21
Company data provided by crunchbase