We are seeking a strategic and visionary UX/UI Design Lead to drive the user experience and interface design across the Asia segment. Reporting to the Head of Customer Platforms, this role will be responsible for shaping and executing the regional design strategy, ensuring consistency, quality, and innovation across all digital touchpoints.
The successful candidate will lead the UX and UI operating model for Asia, leveraging our MITDC design hubs to deliver best-in-class experiences. Key responsibilities include defining and governing design standards, establishing robust frameworks and controls to uphold design excellence, and managing stakeholder engagement across diverse markets. This role is pivotal in embedding design thinking into our product development lifecycle and championing a user-centric culture across the region.
Position Responsibilities:
Design
Implement a framework to ensure adherence to global design standards and the original UI/UX requirements, before go-live
Provide clarity and guidance on the suage of the design system elements while ensuring we are meeting the expectations of local audiences and stakeholders
Conduct regular design reviews, elevating designs to world-class standards
Work collaboratively with cross-functional groups and external partners to deliver clear directions, specifications, and documentation on Manulife’s design strategy and language.
Be a strong advocate for delivering high-quality, compelling experiences to our customers that are inclusive, accessible, and adhere to platform standards
Oversee and guide rapid, iterative conceptual design for mobile apps and websites
Influence stakeholders across organizations to gain support for design strategies.
Evangelise standard methodologies for visual design and systems design to other designers, engineers, and product manager
Ensure artwork consistency and design content accuracy within brand guidelines
Design Operation
Lead the transition of regional design resources to MITDC hubs in Chengdu and Manila, defining team structures, reporting lines, and delivery models.
Oversee demand forecasting and resource allocation across Asia, maintaining a regional tracker and supporting centralized offshore delivery.
Drive recruitment and onboarding of designers (permanent, contractor, vendor-sourced), ensuring skill alignment with project needs and offshore/onshore balance.
Evaluate and implement outsourcing models, including centralized vendor engagement and enforce design system compliance in deliverables.
Co-develop and roll out a new design operating model across markets, including process setup, escalation paths, and cadence planning.
People \& Vendor management
Conduct performance reviews and career development planning for regional designers and MITDC teams.
Foster team morale and engagement through recognition, milestone celebrations, and community-building efforts.
Design System Collaboration
Partner with global design system leadership to ensure regional alignment and adoption of global standards.
Contribute to the development and localization of design system components, ensuring Asia-specific needs are represented.
Support the integration of design system practices across regional projects, promoting consistency, scalability, and accessibility.
Act as a regional advocate in global forums, sharing insights and escalating local requirements to influence system evolution.
Required Qualifications:
10+ years’ experience with a minimum of 5+ years in User Experience Design or User Interface Design Management
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in related design fields
5+ years of experience leading design projects and managing designers and design teams
Strong portfolio and/or hands-on experience in web and mobile design (including Android and iOS).
Self-starter who takes the initiative and has a strong work ethic
Relishes the accountability for all UX/UI design and comfortable making sign-off decisions.
Driven to deliver world-class user experiences
Excellent communication skills in a fast-paced environment (verbal, written, and visual) who has the ability to influence and build consensus
In-depth knowledge and experience of user interface design with consumer applications, preferably mobile devices, rich web apps/site
Stays up to date with the latest UX trends, best practices, methodologies, and tools
Proven ability to drive designs that achieve business results and commercial value
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 recruitment@manulife.com .
Working Arrangement
Hybrid