Director - IT Contract Strategy & Risk Management

The Director – IT Contract Strategy & Risk Management is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping Manulife’s enterprise approach to IT vendor contracting and third-party risk governance. This position combines deep expertise in contract negotiation with strategic oversight of regulatory compliance, cybersecurity requirements, and vendor risk posture. The Director will influence senior stakeholders, lead a high-performing team, and drive continuous improvement in vendor risk management processes, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and global regulatory standards.

Position Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide vision and leadership in defining and executing enterprise-wide strategies for IT vendor contracting and risk mitigation. Partner with Legal and subject matter experts to develop and enforce IT contractual clauses that safeguard Manulife’s data, ensure regulatory compliance, and align with industry best practices for IT security.  

• Executive Influence: Advise senior leadership and business units on contractual risk posture, emerging regulatory trends, and strategic sourcing decisions.

• Governance & Oversight: Establish and maintain frameworks for contract compliance, vendor risk assessments, and regulatory adherence.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with Legal, Procurement, Risk, and Technology leadership to align vendor contracting with business priorities.

• Insights & Reporting: Deliver executive-level reporting and analytics to inform strategic decisions and improve risk visibility.

• Team Development: Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering expertise in IT contracting and risk management.

• Continuous Improvement: Drive process optimization and innovation in vendor risk governance, anticipating future risks and regulatory changes.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in IT contracting, third-party risk management, and vendor governance.

• Expertise: Strong background in reviewing and negotiating complex IT contracts, including cybersecurity and data protection clauses. E.g. SaaS agreements, custodial agreements

• Leadership: Proven ability to lead teams and influence senior stakeholders across multiple business units.

• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with OSFI B-10, OCC, privacy laws (PIPEDA, GLBA, GDPR, CCPA), and global compliance standards.

• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in MS Office, Power BI, and risk management platforms (e.g., Archer, Ivalua, ProcessUnity).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Industry Background: Financial services (including wealth management & capital markets), insurance, or technology sectors.

• Risk Frameworks: Knowledge of NIST 800-53, NIST CSF, ISO 27001.

• Vendor Security Assessments: Experience conducting or overseeing vendor information security reviews.

• Education: Masters in Business Administration or Law 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.

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 [email protected].

Referenced Salary Location

Salary range is expected to be between

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [email protected] for the salary range for your location. 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. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact [email protected] for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.