The Opportunity

Reporting to the AVP Insurance Operations Strategic Transformation & Delivery - the Director, AI & Automation Program Delivery is a consultant-minded professional who can deliver on our operations strategic priorities, obsess about customers, and is excited to drive a highly visible, strategic transformation for our organization. As a key member of the Strategic Transformation & Delivery team, the desired candidate will lead and implement Manulife’s multi-year GenAI & Automation program, a major transformation program that strives to unlock significant value for Operations, and the Enterprise.

The role involves leading all aspects of the AI and Automation Program for Insurance & Affinity Operations, working with various teams to ensure strategic alignment. The candidate should operationalize frameworks for value measurement, risk management, and regulatory compliance, while driving AI business value. Responsibilities include leading projects from start to finish, assembling teams, securing resources, and communicating with senior team members and external partners.

The ideal candidate has experience coordinating large-scale programs that incorporate new technologies. They should excel at crafting arguments, be familiar with both Waterfall and Agile methods, and possess background in analytics/AI projects.
 

Responsibilities

Delivery Excellence & Program Governance

Responsible for implementing the AI & Automation portfolio in collaboration with multiple functional and technology partners, developing analysis to identify and support improvementsBuilds upon a single program view of multiple AI & Automation projects and prepares a portfolio view for senior executive updatesSees the big picture and has a vision for alternative approaches to getting the job doneCoordinates projects through all phases of initiation, development and implementationWorks various partners to define and manage the scope, strategy, requirements and end-to-end execution of projectsEnsures that assigned projects are completed within budgets and schedules while meeting business objectivesIdentifies & leads resource needs for the project and establishes roles, expectations, and goals with team membersAnticipates, identifies, analyzes, mitigates, documents, and controls project risksDrives the assessment, management, and mitigation of project risks that impede successful program delivery

Partner Engagement & Communications

Provides effective and regular communication with the team, collaborators, sponsors, and executive managementDevelop and present project and portfolio status updates, roadmap updates, findings, and/or recommendations to an Executive audience

Financial Management

Reports on and leads initiative budgets and benefit measurements for the  AI and Automation Insurance & Affinity operations portfolioPartners with operations leaders and finance team to ensure the project expenses are correctly identified and tagged and that identified benefits are realized throughout the lifecycle of the program

Business Case Development

Lead the planning, mobilization and partner engagement required to build the argument for AI execution, and future funding activitiesEnsure the case developed aligns with the organizational delivery framework, including but not limited to cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment guidelines, etc.

What motivates you?

You obsess about customers, listen, engage and act for their benefit.You think big, with curiosity to discover ways to use your agile approach and enable business outcomes.You thrive in teams and enjoy getting things done together.You take ownership and build solutions, focusing on what matters.You do what is right, work with integrity and speak up.You share your humanity, helping us build a diverse and inclusive work environment for everyone.

What we are looking for

7-10 years of hands-on experience in program delivery and execution excellenceDemonstrated success delivering program to introduce new technologies globally, redefining business and unlocking valueHas expertise in managing both waterfall and agile project methodologies; PMP or CSM designation would be an assetAbility to communicate effectively in both technical and non-technical terms, verbal and written, to both a Senior Executive audience and project delivery teams; able to effectively articulate the business opportunity, solution vision, possibilities, and outcomes to technical and non-technical audienceDemonstrates strong interpersonal skills; has experience in collaborating and partnering with business/functional team members, data scientists, data engineers, architects, and vendor SMEs across a global, distributed environmentProven track record of effective monitoring and reporting program updates, risks and issuesStrong analytical skills, copes with complex situations using both skills and experience to lead to the right outcomesApply field expertise to propose alternative approaches to leadership considering current project challenges and goalsHigh standard of work within the program, applying both skills and experience to drive and govern the program, as well as develop deliverablesKnowledge of corporate function processes and capabilitiesExposure to large language models (LLMs) or other generative AI capabilities is an assetExperience in managing and delivering large-scale analytics/AI projects involving cross-functional technical teams, business partners, and change management partners is a plus

What can we offer you?

A competitive salary and benefits packages.A growth trajectory that extends upward and outward, encouraging you to follow your passions and learn new skills.A focus on growing your career path with us.Flexible work policies and strong work-life balance.Professional development and leadership opportunities.

Our commitment to you

Values-first culture: We lead with our Values every day and bring them to life together.Boundless opportunity: We create opportunities to learn and grow at every stage of your career.Continuous innovation: We invite you to help redefine the future of financial services.Delivering the promise of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:  We foster an inclusive workplace where everyone thrives.Championing Corporate Citizenship: We build a business that benefits all partners and has a positive social and environmental impact.

#LI-Hybrid

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.

Primary Location

Montreal, Quebec

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$104,325.00 CAD - $187,785.00 CAD

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact recruitment@manulife.com for the salary range for your location. 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. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

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