As Manulife scales GenAI and agentic AI capabilities, the Global AI Platform requires dedicated security solution architecture to embed secure‑by‑design controls and protect against emerging AI‑driven and autonomous (Mythos‑like) attack models.

The Principal Security Architect (AI) role provides practical architectural design, standards, and continuous support across Azure, AWS, and Ali Cloud, enabling teams to deliver AI solutions safely at speed while reducing systemic and regulatory risk.

What is the opportunity?
This role offers the opportunity to shape how AI is securely designed and deployed at scale within a global financial services organization.

Contribution to our mission:
The Principal Security Architect (AI) enables Manulife’s AI transformation by embedding security solution architecture into AI platforms and products, protecting customers and the business from emerging AI‑driven threats.

What will they get?
The role provides exposure to complex, enterprise‑scale AI systems, influence over global platforms, and the opportunity to work at the intersection of AI innovation, cloud technology, and cybersecurity.

Office location: Toronto, ON, Canada

Work arrangement: Hybrid - 3 days in office, 2 days from Home

Position Responsibilities

• Lead the definition and evolution of security solution architecture for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and agentic AI systems across the enterprise.
• Drive AI security strategy execution by translating emerging threats, business needs, and regulatory requirements into practical architectural patterns and platform controls.
• Design, maintain, and govern AI security reference and solution architectures that protect against advanced AI‑driven and autonomous (Mythos‑like) attack models.
• Provide professional leadership, guidance, and mentorship to AI security architects and engineers, shaping technical direction and improving overall architectural outcomes.
• Solve highly complex, cross‑domain AI security challenges by developing innovative architectural approaches beyond existing controls and patterns.
• Collaborate closely with Technology Architects, Data Scientists, Platform teams, and Security partners to communicate complex AI security concepts and influence design decisions.
• Lead the architectural definition and technical implementation guidance for AI security standards and guidelines, including authoring reusable security patterns, solution architectures, and reference architectures, partnering with governance and risk teams to enable consistent, secure adoption across multi‑cloud environments.
• Engage with senior stakeholders, including technology leadership, risk partners, regulators, and vendors, to align AI security architecture with enterprise objectives and risk posture.
• Act as an escalation point for critical AI security architecture issues impacting global platforms or high‑risk AI initiatives.

Additional Information:
Occasional international travel is expected to support global AI platform initiatives and cross‑regional collaboration.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in security architecture or solution architecture roles.
• 5+ years of experience designing security architectures in cloud environments (Azure required; AWS and/or Ali Cloud preferred).
• Strong foundation in infrastructure, networking, IAM, containers/Kubernetes, and security controls.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, or a related field.
• CISSP, CISM, or equivalent security certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience securing AI/ML or data platform architectures in enterprise environments.
• Exposure to agentic AI systems or autonomous workflows.
• Experience translating regulatory and risk requirements into practical security architectures.
• Strong communication skills across engineering, architecture, and security stakeholders.
• Experience working in global, distributed teams.

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.

The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

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 hr@manulife.com .

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 hr@manulife.com for the salary range for your location.

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 hr@manulife.com for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.

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 .