Cedric Cheung
Senior Director
Hong Kong
Summary
Seasoned business management professional with over 10 years of experience in the insurance sector, renowned for driving substantial operational enhancements and elevating customer service at Manulife. Specializing in the strategic management of high-impact projects, I have consistently delivered improvements in process efficiency and customer engagement. My expertise includes leading diverse, cross-cultural teams and successfully implementing strategic initiatives that align with corporate goals while ensuring compliance. With a strong passion for innovation and change management, I am committed to leveraging my strategic insight and executive leadership to contribute significant value to a forward-thinking organization
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Proposition Planning & Activation, Senior Principal
AIA
Hong Kong
05.2024 - 10.2024
- Supported the CPO in developing and articulating the holistic Propositions Strategy, incorporating inputs from SMEs across Proposition teams, and through coordinating the Proposition innovation process
- Analyzed and consolidated information to create business cases and proposals for key initiatives, prepare monthly and quarterly business review reports, and manage functional budgeting processes
- Collaborated with Proposition teams to widen the use of data-driven insights to enhance the existing propositions
- Supported the CPO in document and analysis preparation for functional management communications as well as internal and external stakeholder engagement
- Improved management reporting processes and implement reporting automation, enhancing efficiency and accuracy
- Facilitated strategic problem-solving and ensure alignment of initiatives with overall functional strategy, managing interdependencies to maintain coherence across teams
- Led strategic business projects within the Propositions function, proposing solutions and ensuring alignment with organizational goals
- Monitored the implementation of strategic initiatives, measured KPIs, and managed the governance framework to ensure effective execution and compliance
Senior Director, Business Management (Chief of Staff)
MANULIFE
Hong Kong
03.2022 - 05.2024
- Spearheaded the Digital Customer Leader project collaborating with Marketing IT and Regional offices to boost the Straight Through Processing initiative enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience
- Directed a team in managing the Operations budget, aligning financial strategies with organizational goals and providing key insights to the COO for strategic decision-making
- Led the Hong Kong procurement team to exceed savings targets while ensuring strict adherence to compliance standards and corporate policies
- Supported the COO in achieving business KPIs and driving people development training and employee engagement initiatives
- Proactively identified and resolved issues affecting COO's commitments, devising and recommending effective mitigation strategies
- Orchestrated key projects and business commitments, ensuring stakeholder alignment and the successful execution of strategic initiatives
- Played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of the organization's strategic plans
- Collaborated across departments to achieve shared objectives, enhancing interdepartmental cooperation and performance
- Actively participated in organizational change processes, including crafting communication strategies and overseeing implementation plans
Senior Director of Operations Performance
MANULIFE
Hong Kong
12.2015 - 03.2022
- Developed high-performance indicators across all Asian countries for Operations, in collaboration with local performance and data teams, enhancing regional standards and practices
- Collaborated with the Asia OPS Leadership team to design essential operational metrics that directly impact customer and business performance, accelerating the deployment of specialized reporting dashboards
- Delivered monthly management reports and in-depth qualitative analysis to senior stakeholders across Asia, partnering with department heads to address and improve areas of underperformance
- Empowered operations leaders at all levels to enhance data utilization, understanding key business drivers to achieve strategic and tactical goals effectively and transparently
- Created a common set of Asia metrics that spans all Segments and value chains (Contact Center, New Business, Claims & Servicing) with consistent global definitions that are refreshed on a weekly/monthly basis
- Created a scalable and sustainable Operations MIS that automate and centrally-store data for Operations leaders and downstream usage
- Designed and implemented a data governance strategy to ensure data is accurate, timely and reliable so that business users have trust in the key metrics
- Identified the difficult KPIs and work collaboratively with business and system SMEs for proof of concept first before development
- Integrated MIS into key weekly/monthly business reporting and operational practices, promoting a data-driven approach to process improvement and strategic planning
- Partnered with the COO of Emerging Markets and senior leadership to foster a high-performance culture across Asia Operations, exemplifying and promoting best practices and behaviors
- Provided support for ad-hoc duties as required
Principle Financial Analyst
PIVOTAL SOFTWARE, INC.
Hong Kong
05.2014 - 12.2015
- Managed the seamless execution of programs and operations, including headcount planning, regional strategic priorities, target setting, quarterly launch, training, feedback, business reviews, communications, and change management
- Partnered with regional sales leadership to identify strategic execution opportunities, generate business plans, ensure smooth execution and drive advocacy for regional needs with central teams
- Developed and executed global projects aimed at enhancing sales effectiveness and productivity, in collaboration with central teams
- Established and maintained a process for recognizing high performers in regional sales and services through quarterly and monthly awards
- Prepared complex financial data, reviewed and updated financial models, and forecasts to support strategic decision-making
- Performed detailed analyses to support and refine forecasting processes, communicated reforecasting procedures to functional controllers, and reviewed actual results against forecasts to investigate significant variances
- Led the development and implementation of tools to improve financial forecasting and reporting processes, enhancing accuracy and operational efficiency
- Worked closely with functional and country controllers to identify and resolve issues in forecasting, booking of actual results, and operational changes impacting the business
- Conducted complex financial analyses to support forecasts for various aspects of the company’s financial performance
- Actively participated in budgeting cycles and sales performance management, leading initiatives to drive cost reductions and improve the company’s overall financial health
Manager, FP&A (Group Finance)
A.S WATSON
Hong Kong
06.2012 - 12.2013
- Served as a strategic business partner for ASW business units, enhancing management reporting, business analysis, commercial decision support, and providing crucial financial guidance to department heads
- Acted as a strategic business partner by supporting the business through the analysis of performance and the utilization of business analytics to play a key role in strategic planning with a focus on increasing shareholder value
- Oversaw the monthly forecast process and coordinate the Annual Operating Plan
- Led the effort in process standardization and centralization in FP&A areas
- Developed and implemented execution plans, offering strategic recommendations to finance management
- Supported the ASW leadership team by preparing strategic presentations and analyzing ad hoc business investment projects
- Produced monthly management reports and dashboards for senior management, ensuring accurate and timely insights into business performance
- Managed cash flow forecasting and oversaw financial management practices to optimize financial operations
- Facilitated decision-making on new investments by creating detailed financial models, analyzing financial data, and providing actionable recommendations
Manager, Business Operations
COMCAST CORPORATION
08.2008 - 01.2012
- Managed capital tracking and oversight for cash-based capital guidance, successfully handling over US$140 million in capital projects
- Managed the monthly forecast and annual budget processes, ensuring that financial forecasts were closely aligned with strategic initiatives
- Monitored capital and operating expenditures, providing necessary recommendations for adjustments
- Analyzed data from billing systems, Oracle, Essbase, and other platforms to ensure accurate and timely filing of month-end reports
- Drove the development and implementation of business strategies, policies, and procedures to achieve operational excellence
- Effectively managed resource forecasting to meet departmental objectives
- Reviewed and recommended strategies for achieving business goals, including expense reduction and workforce development, focusing on skill enhancement, motivation, satisfaction, and diversity
- Participated in planning activities through budgeting and forecasting processes to support defined objectives for growth and profitability
- Performed monthly financial close and analysis activities, including P&L and capital analysis
- Oversaw all aspects of month-end close operations, including payroll, ensuring compliance and accuracy
- Reviewed and submitted reports to systems that provided critical data for ongoing operational performance improvement
- Interpreted, administered, and implemented corporate policies and procedures, ensuring organizational adherence and operational efficiency
Sr. Business & Planning Analyst / Sr. Financial Analyst
THE BOEING COMPANY
11.2007 - 08.2008
- Developed, implemented, analyzed, maintained, and presented strategic, business, and financial plans to support the 787 team
- Coordinated complex schedules and resource plans, integrating various project elements to ensure alignment and efficiency
- Provided cost and schedule tracking to enhance project visibility and control
- Utilized historical data, trend analysis, and risk assessments to identify potential issues and offered actionable guidance and recommendations to both customers and management
- Built and maintained collaborative relationships to facilitate the achievement of work goals
- Leveraged economic, financial, and industrial data to assess business conditions accurately, identifying critical issues and devising effective strategies
- Actively engaged as a team member, contributing to the achievement of team goals
- Collected, organized, and analyzed data, synthesizing information to develop insightful conclusions and actionable findings
- Applied knowledge of budgeting and estimating techniques to ensure accurate financial management and forecasting
Operating Accountant
CB RICHARD ELLIS
01.2007 - 11.2007
- Managed financial operations for CBRE's largest real estate health cooperative client, overseeing over 3 million sq ft
- Of commercial real estate across 58 statewide locations, with annual operating budget costs exceeding $100 million in facilities and about $10 million in project management
- The client account contributed $10 million in gross annual revenues to CBRE, with an overall account gross margin in the mid 20% range
- Participated in the month-end close process, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Maintained all necessary documentation in audit-ready condition
- Prepared and reviewed general ledger journal entries and account analyses
- Conducted monthly account reconciliations, investigated discrepancies, and made necessary corrections
- Developed and maintained financial reporting, forecasting, and budgeting templates, assisting in the timely closure of monthly financial statements and reporting
- Engaged in monthly forecasting and annual budgeting processes
- Generated standard and ad-hoc financial and management reports, analyzing results to provide insightful feedback
- Reviewed and submitted biweekly payroll files, assisted with payroll corrections, and developed payroll analysis tools for managers and supervisors
- Managed the preparation of biannual tax payments and the accrual of property taxes
- Handled invoicing for employee expense reimbursements, including preparation and monitoring of biweekly reimbursement invoices to ensure timely payments and accurate receivables
Senior Accountant
PRO REALTY OPTIONS, INC
07.2005 - 12.2006
- Reviewed and analyzed general ledgers for various properties, ensuring accuracy and compliance
- Calculated monthly accruals and operating recoveries, and processed invoices with precise coding
- Managed postings of accounts receivable batches and performed full-cycle accounting transactions through the General Ledger
- Completed bank reconciliations and prepared detailed year-end financial reconciliations, analyses, and working papers
- Provided accounting support to internal and external auditors, facilitating thorough and transparent audit processes
- Interpreted financial results analytically and prepared monthly financial statements and reports on both accrual and cash basis
- Analyzed and adjusted the general ledger, and prepared necessary reconciliations for the Balance Sheet and Income Statement
- Coordinated the preparation of quarterly forecasts and the annual budget package, conducted variance analyses, and adjusted budgets and forecasts to meet changing business needs
Education
MBA - Finance
City University of Seattle
Seattle, WA 06.2008 - 06.2010
Bachelor of Science - Economics, Mathematics
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 09.2001 - 06.2005
Skills
- Strategic leadership
- Organizational development
- Innovation management
- Instructional leadership
- Organizational management
- Organizational leadership
- Operational planning
- Team collaboration
- Staff management
- Team building
- Strategic Program Leadership
- Performance improvement
- Expense control
- Stakeholder management
- Financial leadership
Timeline
Proposition Planning & Activation, Senior Principal
AIA
05.2024 - 10.2024
Senior Director, Business Management (Chief of Staff)
MANULIFE
03.2022 - 05.2024
Senior Director of Operations Performance
MANULIFE
12.2015 - 03.2022
Principle Financial Analyst
PIVOTAL SOFTWARE, INC.
05.2014 - 12.2015
Manager, FP&A (Group Finance)
A.S WATSON
06.2012 - 12.2013
Manager, Business Operations
COMCAST CORPORATION
08.2008 - 01.2012
MBA - Finance
City University of Seattle
06.2008 - 06.2010
Sr. Business & Planning Analyst / Sr. Financial Analyst
THE BOEING COMPANY
11.2007 - 08.2008
Operating Accountant
CB RICHARD ELLIS
01.2007 - 11.2007
Senior Accountant
PRO REALTY OPTIONS, INC
07.2005 - 12.2006
Bachelor of Science - Economics, Mathematics
University of Oregon
09.2001 - 06.2005
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