Manulife is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make decisions easier and lives better. Help shape the future you want to see — and discover that better can take you anywhere you want to go.

The Director, Strategy role is accountable for the development and management of the integrated strategy and overall planning for a specific element of the overall segment/function strategy. The Director of Strategy champions the strategic goals of the business line(s) and influences direction and focus via the thoughtful analysis and presentation of current state, firm strengths/challenges, industry/market trends and competitive research. The Director of strategy understands the current state and future vision and is able to partner with business lines to define a holistic approach to achieve results.

Specifically in the Global Marketing function, the Strategy team works across the company’s businesses and geographies to support senior management in developing Manulife’s long-term marketing function strategy and driving key strategic initiatives. This includes supporting strategic implementation across our portfolio of Global Marketing capabilities -- Digital Transformation, NPS, Brand, Digital Marketing, Advanced Analytics and AI, Human-Centred Design, Innovation, Sustainability and Community Investment/Sponsorship. Team members have access to‎ a unique vantage point to participate and shape our transformation to become a digital, customer leader.

Position Responsibilities:

Scope, analyze and resolve key strategic issues, using a data-driven approach. Draw insights and build recommendations to support business decisions

Be accountable for the delivery of strategic projects end-to-end. Manage initiatives with strategic impact on Global Marketing ensuring business benefits are realized including:

Develop and manage an integrated plan for the initiative, ensuring key metrics and success criteria are delivered

Lead activities such as milestone and impact planning reviews and approvals, budget planning and management

Drive actions and decisions

Communicate and present key insights to Initiative Owners and Senior Management audiences/stakeholders

Manage initiatives of large size and complexity for Global Marketing

Communicate and drive decision making by key stakeholders. Identify when early trade-offs are needed and be able to strategically influence decision makers and create alignment and momentum within the organization

Lead and facilitate processes to bring together teams in the development or refreshing of strategies and plans – setting the right aspirations to position Manulife/John Hancock as a leader in the competitive landscape and drive differentiation

Develop, motivate, mentor and help develop the team

Drive competitive intelligence and other external research to ensure alignment of strategy with industry trends and consumer needs. Collaborate with global counterparts to develop and deliver informed recommendations

Support the development and implementation of the Strategic Planning Process as needed. Support initiatives and programs throughout the lifecycle by providing hands on support in the development of new ideas at project initiation

Act as a change agent to build awareness and vision

​Required Qualifications:

Generally an advanced degree in a quantitative discipline with 10 years experience or a combination of education and experience

Experience in a strategy function within large multi-national corporation, ideally in the Financial Services industry; prior experience in top tier management consulting, investment banking or similar strategy roles preferred

Strong business focus and understanding of Corporate Strategy methods; proven problem-solving capability, well-honed logic, extensive toolbox of Strategy practices, with an aptitude for competitive and broad thinking

Strong analytical capabilities, very comfortable with quantitative & financial analysis. High level of conceptual skills and an ability to operate strategically

Is Self Motivated, open minded and aware of others perspectives and verbal / non-verbal queues; uses collaborative approaches to increase creativity and innovation

Regarded as a realistic and practical individual, and is respected for ability to deliver; demonstrated experience in utilizing lateral, out-of-the-box thinking and comfort with ambiguity

Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills – ability to collaborate and be a team player; demonstrated ability to work effectively in diverse environments and cultures

Crisp and persuasive communication, facilitation and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to influence senior leadership team members individually and collectively and get recommendations approved and implemented

Some travel may be required

This job description is not a comprehensive listing of all job duties required for this role. We reserve the right to change these duties or assign additional duties at any time with or without notice.

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.

Primary Location

CAN, Ontario, Toronto, 200 Bloor Street East

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$103,050.00 CAD - $185,490.00 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.