Investment Systems - Director, Technical Leads and Architects - 0801848DescriptionThe successful incumbent can expect to be involved with investigation of technology, working with technical teams to assess best practice needs and combining this information to deliver sound solutions that adhere to sound Architectural methodologies, and SOA standards and adhere to the compliance standards at Manulife. You will need to have a breadth and depth of experience that will allow you to expertly see the larger vision of projects and strategies as they relate to IS Architectural impacts within particular applications and also be able to devise solutions that will integrate appropriately within and across organizations. Reporting to the Third Party Projects GIM (Global Investment Management), this position is accountable for the management of all the Technical Leads and Architects. This role will oversee and have technical input into all project management for all larger initiatives under Third Party. In addition to specific technology expertise and being a hands-on technical professional, business acumen will be the key component to a strong match for this position. This requires an ability to understand and translate abstract ideas into concrete technical solutions and an ability to communicate technical solutions with business acumen.
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the management of staff consisting of Technical Leads, and Architects to deliver the systems solution needs that meet the requirements of the business owners within GIM in Toronto and to provide best development practices
- Assist in preparing and presenting tactical and strategic plans for developing and integrating systems
- Building strong relationships with vendors, various business unit(s) and other IS departments across Manulife
- Provide expertise and support in the process of choosing systems or applications hardware and software solutions
- Contribution to application and technical architecture plans
- Provide architectural leadership and support on medium to large sized projects
- Manage staff according to budget and resource guidelines, ensuring that the area has appropriate staff levels, staff capability and work processes to meet objectives and targets and proper staff training and development needs are in place
- Maintain consistent project management methodology, processes and templates, documentation and audit requirements, application code management/security, and testing tools/procedures
- Engaging and challenging requirements while designing solutions based on deep technical knowledge of web, client and database architectures
- Setting high level design objectives; reviewing and critiquing software designs proposed by architects
- Coaching and mentoring of junior staff members for career advancement and to provide direction/support for project issues
- Become familiar with existing codebase
- Design, refine and enforce efficient development processes and high quality code
- Keep abreast of current standards, technologies, approaches and methodologies
- Provide direction and assistance in re-architecting, re-factoring existing code base for greater stability and maintainability
- Continually improve development environment and tools. Focusing on consistency and productivity
- Experience in System Architecture and application design
- Previous experience working in a continual integration environment is highly desirable, as well as a mind towards applying those principals and techniques to existing projects.
- Participate in developing and advancing standards related to newer and emerging technologies.
MFC Global Investment Management is the diversified investment management group of Manulife Financial, with investment offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, and throughout Southeast Asia. MFC Global has more than 100 years of experience managing portfolios for The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, John Hancock Life Insurance Company, and other major clients. With more than C$200 billion in assets under management, MFC Global Investment Management is a leading global investment management group.
Qualifications- Ability to understand the business issues and through the use of technology conceptualize creative solutions and influence, motivate and negotiate with subordinates, peers, clients and superiors to implement them.
- Experience with structured modeling approaches such as UML.
- Strong working knowledge of at least one of the common development environments such as .Net or Java, and SQL Server or a similar relational DBMS
- Ability to manage time within a matrix organization and able to effectively multitask
- Proven leadership and coaching skills
- Excellent communication (both written and oral), presentation skills and influencing skills
- Applicable undergraduate degree or Designation in Computer Science
- 10+ years experience in Information Systems specific to a Senior Technical role
- 10+ years project and personnel management experience as an Architect or Senior Systems Designer with architectural responsibilities on moderate to large-scale projects
- Excellent skills in the architecture, design and construction of n-tier applications
- Hands on working experience with integration technologies such as Websphere or MQ or other application integration technologies on a diversity of platforms. Expertise in several programming languages such as: Oracle, SQL, Java, J2EE Web development, J2EE eCommerce, C++, OO Methodology &/or Design, DB2, IBM WebSphere AS (certification is an asset) MQ, Eclipse or WSAD, Sun Solaris, XML/XSLT, CVS/SVN, AN including experience with consumer websites
- Experience with a variety of technology platforms, server-side Java technologies and major application servers is an asset
- Experience with a variety of technology platforms
- Experience in writing proposals as well as technical specifications
- Strong SQL and data modeling skills, Systems Analysis and Design Methodologies
- PMP designation or equivalent experience is an asset.
- Proven success in managing major systems projects and being part of a management team
- Excellent capability in initiating, motivating and managing change effectively
- Superior influencing and negotiation skills with the ability to influence outcomes
- Advance skill in communicating in critical situations.
- Experience building consensus, managing conflict and collaborative decision making.
Note Location: We are seeking local applicants in either the Toronto or Boston area, as this position could be based in either the Toronto or Boston office.
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$400 billion (U.S.$389 billion) as at March 31, 2008. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '0945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.
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