Manager, Third Party Risk & Governance

About the role

Manulife is looking for a Manager, Third Party Risk & Governance (Japan) to support and maintain a robust third-party risk management and procurement governance framework aligned with global policies, while complying with Japanese regulations and subsidiary-specific requirements. The role covers vendor risk assessments, contract governance, guidance to contract managers and reporting to senior stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Implement frameworks and policies: apply global policies and develop subsidiary-specific rules and operations where needed.
• Governance and risk management: conduct vendor risk classification, due diligence and compliance checks.
• Supervise contract managers and assess compliance with internal policies.
• Work with the operational resilience and BCP departments to ensure continuity of key business functions from a vendor management perspective.
• Collaborate with global teams to standardize processes and share best practices.
• Identify gaps in contract management and design and run training programs for contract managers.
• Prepare regular reports and improvement proposals for senior management and the risk committee.
• Work with procurement, legal and risk management teams to strengthen governance.
• Monitor KPIs and propose improvements, and adapt policies and processes to regulatory changes in Japan.

Required profile

• More than 5 years of hands-on experience in procurement and/or third-party risk management.
• Deep knowledge of procurement governance, risk management and compliance frameworks.
• Strong understanding of contract law and information security.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, effective communication and stakeholder management.
• Proactive, collaborative approach and ability to take initiative beyond defined responsibilities.
• Native-level Japanese and business-level English (TOEIC 800+).
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and drive operational improvements.

Nice to have

• Understanding of insurance business, especially life insurance.
• Knowledge of information security and cyber security.
• Experience in a global enterprise or diverse cultural environment.

What we offer

• Hybrid working model, 10-30 hours per month, under Manulife's Working Better guidelines.
• Social insurance, Benefit One, training system (Japanese and English lessons), childcare leave, family care leave, baby-sitter support and retirement pension for regular employees.
• Holidays including weekends, national holidays, year-end holidays and annual paid holiday.
• Salary and variable incentive bonus determined by experience, skills and knowledge.