Head of Takaful Solutions, Global High Net Worth

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company; United Arab Emirates; Hybrid; AED 500,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Manulife is seeking a Head of Takaful Solutions based in Dubai to serve as the trusted subject-matter expert for GHNW, translating Shariah and product concepts into clear guidance for banks, brokers, and internal leaders.

You will educate stakeholders, collaborate across Distribution, Product, Shariah research, Legal, Compliance, Marketing, and more, and ensure accurate articulation of the Takaful proposition while capturing market feedback.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Takaful, Islamic insurance, or related field.
• Deep practical knowledge of Takaful principles and Shariah governance.
• Credibility presenting complex Takaful concepts to banks and leaders.
• Strong alignment with Shariah principles and authentic advisory judgement.
• Experience in the Middle East; UAE/DIFC regulatory familiarity preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business/Finance/Islamic Finance; postgraduate qualifications are an advantage.
• Professional qualifications in insurance, Takaful, or Islamic finance are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Act as GHNW’s Takaful expert and primary consultative interface for banks, brokers, and internal leadership.
• Present and explain Takaful propositions with Shariah principles, customer benefits, and limitations.
• Educate external partners through broker and bank meetings, product briefings, due-diligence discussions, and events.
• Collaborate with GHNW Product and Shariah research specialists, who own product research and lifecycle management.
• Translate product and Shariah content into compelling narratives and materials for banks, brokers, and executives.
• Gather partner, customer, and market feedback and provide structured insights to Product, Distribution, Marketing, and leadership.
• Build Takaful knowledge across internal stakeholders via briefings, training, and FAQs.
• Coordinate with Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Shariah governance to ensure accurate communications.
• Monitor Takaful market developments and emerging questions to strengthen readiness.
• Represent GHNW in internal and external forums as a credible Takaful ambassador.

Skills

Takaful knowledge

Executive presentation

Stakeholder education

Shariah governance

Mideast/UAE regulatory

Education

Bachelor’s in Business/Finance/Islamic Finance

Postgraduate qualifications (advantage)

Job description

The Head of Takaful Solutions will serve as the trusted Takaful subject-matter expert for the Global High Net Worth (GHNW) business. Based in Dubai, UAE, the role will represent Manulife’s Takaful proposition with banks, brokers, and internal leaders, translating complex Shariah and product concepts into clear, credible, and client-relevant guidance.

This is a consultative and market-facing role will advise and educate stakeholders to bring strong practical Takaful knowledge, market credibility, and presentation capability to external and internal engagements.

The incumbent will work closely with Distribution, Product, Shariah research, Legal, Compliance, Marketing, and other functions to ensure consistent and accurate articulation of the Takaful proposition, capture market feedback, support partner confidence, and strengthen GHNW’s Takaful capability.

Position Responsibilities:

• Act as GHNW’s trusted Takaful subject-matter expert and primary consultative interface for banks, brokers, and internal leadership.
• Present and explain Manulife’s Takaful propositions with confidence, credibility, and clarity, including relevant Shariah principles, structures, customer benefits, and limitations.
• Advise and educate external partners through broker and bank meetings, product briefings, due-diligence discussions, technical queries, and partner-facing events.
• Collaborates with the GHNW Product team and Shariah research specialists, who retain ownership of product research, design, development, approvals, and lifecycle management.
• Translate product and Shariah content into compelling, practical narratives and materials tailored to banks, brokers, senior leaders, and other audiences.
• Gather partner, customer, and market feedback and provide structured insights to Product, Distribution, Marketing, and leadership to inform proposition enhancements.
• Build Takaful knowledge and confidence across internal stakeholders through briefings, training, frequently asked questions, and technical support.
• Coordinate with Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Shariah governance stakeholders to ensure external communications and engagement activities are accurate and appropriately controlled.
• Monitor Takaful market developments, partner expectations, competitor positioning, and emerging questions to strengthen market readiness and thought leadership.
• Represent GHNW in relevant internal and external forums as a credible ambassador for Takaful solutions.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in Takaful, Islamic insurance, Islamic finance, life insurance, or a closely related field.
• Deep practical knowledge of Takaful principles, operating models, product structures, Shariah governance, and customer disclosure requirements.
• Demonstrated credibility in presenting complex Takaful or Islamic finance concepts to banks, brokers, intermediaries, clients, and senior leaders.
• Strong personal understanding of and alignment with Shariah principles, with the judgment to address practical questions sensitively and authentically.
• Experience in the Middle East and familiarity with UAE and DIFC regulatory boundaries are strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Islamic Finance, or a related field; postgraduate qualifications are an advantage.
• Professional qualifications in insurance, Takaful, or Islamic finance are an advantage.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Executive presence and exceptional presentation skills, with the confidence to engage banks, brokers, and senior leaders.
• Ability to simplify technical product and Shariah concepts into clear, practical, and audience-relevant messages.
• Strong advisory, relationship-management, and influencing skills across external and internal stakeholders.
• Sound judgment regarding the distinction between education and advice versus regulated selling activity.
• Cultural fluency, discretion, and sensitivity when discussing faith-based principles and customer needs.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to lead through influence as an individual contributor.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including executive-level recommendations, training, and partner presentations.

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 [e-mail].

Working Arrangement

Hybrid