Senior Data Scientist

About the Role

This is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced data scientist to help ensure AI models are reliable, fair, safe, and fit for purpose before they are deployed across Manulife. As part of the Global AI Model Validation and Governance (AIMVG) team, you will provide independent challenge, oversight, and validation of AI and machine learning models that support business decisions globally.

Working closely with model developers, business stakeholders, and governance teams, you will assess model performance, identify risks, and evaluate compliance with Manulife's Responsible AI principles and regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities

• Independently validate AI/ML and GenAI models, assessing model design, performance, limitations, and risks.
• Conduct model testing, benchmarking, sensitivity analysis, and other validation activities.
• Evaluate whether AI models are reliable, fair, safe, explainable, and fit for their intended purpose.
• Provide independent challenge and constructive feedback to model developers by identifying model weaknesses, limitations, assumptions, and risks, and recommending appropriate remediation actions
• Review model documentation, assess model design and performance, and communicate validation findings through clear, evidence-based reports and recommendations.
• Support model inventory management, model risk operations and AI governance processes.
• Communicate complex technical concepts and validation findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of AI governance, model risk management, and Responsible AI practices.
• Mentor and support junior data scientists through technical coaching, knowledge sharing, and review of validation approaches and methodologies.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• At least 3-5 years of hands-on experience in data science, AI/ML development, model validation, model risk management, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Experience developing, testing, validating, or overseeing AI/ML models in a production environment, including exposure to Generative AI.
• Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to independently challenge assumptions and assess model risk.
• Experience interpreting model performance metrics and conducting quantitative analysis.
• Strong communication, documentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with model validation, independent model review, model risk management, or AI governance.
• Familiarity with Responsible AI concepts, including fairness, explainability, robustness, transparency, safety, and monitoring.
• Experience evaluating Generative AI, LLMs, RAG systems, or agentic AI solutions.
• Knowledge of AI governance and model risk regulatory expectations.
• Experience developing validation frameworks, testing libraries, or automated assurance tooling.
• Experience working in a global, cross-functional environment.

What We're Looking For

• A strong critical thinker who is comfortable challenging assumptions and providing independent oversight.
• A technically strong practitioner with experience building, testing, or validating AI models.
• Someone passionate about Responsible AI and ensuring AI systems are trustworthy, reliable, and safe.
• A collaborative team player who can translate complex technical concepts into practical business insights.

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

$129,400.00 CAD - $179,400.00 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.