Associate Manager, Strategy, Performance & Chief of Staff

Manulife/John Hancock; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 74,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Pension plan

Paid time off

Hybrid work

Job summary

Manulife/John Hancock is seeking an experienced Audit and Advisory Services professional to support function strategy, performance management, and leadership governance. You will work with senior leadership to translate strategic priorities into coordinated plans, measurable outcomes, and executive routines.

The role focuses on strategy, governance, engagement, and organizational effectiveness, with emphasis on KPI reporting, cross-functional collaboration, and timely follow‑up on risks and

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in audit, risk management, strategy, governance, performance management, consulting, financial services, or a related field.
• Strong experience preparing executive-level materials and supporting senior leadership or governance forums.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex information into clear and concise messaging.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, planning, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate across stakeholders, and deliver against competing deadlines.
• High degree of judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling confidential or sensitive information.
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, and Microsoft Office applications, with the ability to use generative AI responsibly to improve efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Support the development, refresh, and execution of the Audit function’s strategy and annual priorities.
• Coordinate strategic planning activities, leadership discussions, implementation roadmaps, and progress updates.
• Develop and maintain KPI reporting, scorecards, and management information that provide clear visibility into performance and outcomes.
• Analyze performance trends, identify emerging themes, and translate findings into concise insights and recommended actions for leadership.
• Monitor progress against strategic commitments and support timely follow-up on risks, decisions, and dependencies.
• Coordinate Audit Leadership Team routines, agendas, pre-read materials, decisions, action items, and follow-up activities.
• Support the Chief Audit Executive and senior leaders in advancing strategic priorities and high-visibility initiatives.
• Prepare executive presentations, briefing notes, speaking points, and communications for leadership and governance forums.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration, ensuring clear ownership, alignment, and accountability for key deliverables.
• Manage sensitive and time-critical requests with sound judgment, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Plan and coordinate employee engagement activities, leadership events, town halls, and related communications.
• Support leadership offsites and working sessions by developing agendas, materials, and action-oriented outputs.
• Identify opportunities to simplify governance, improve information flow, and strengthen execution across the function.
• Coordinate special projects that support organizational effectiveness and employee experience.

Skills

Executive communication

Strategic thinking

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Governance

Collaboration

Education

MBA

CPA

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Microsoft Office

Generative AI tools

Job description

Join Manulife’s Audit and Advisory Services Professional Practices team in a high-impact role supporting function strategy, performance management, financial coordination, leadership governance, and executive engagement. The role works closely with senior leadership to translate strategic priorities into coordinated plans, measurable outcomes, and effective leadership routines. The successful candidate will support Audit Leadership Team coordination, performance and KPI reporting, finance activities, strategic initiatives, engagement activities, and town halls.

Position Responsibilities:

Strategy and Performance Management

Support the development, refresh, and execution of the Audit function’s strategy and annual priorities.

Coordinate strategic planning activities, leadership discussions, implementation roadmaps, and progress updates.

Develop and maintain KPI reporting, scorecards, and management information that provide clear visibility into performance and outcomes.

Analyze performance trends, identify emerging themes, and translate findings into concise insights and recommended actions for leadership.

Monitor progress against strategic commitments and support timely follow‑up on risks, decisions, and dependencies.

Chief of Staff and Leadership Governance

Coordinate Audit Leadership Team routines, agendas, pre‑read materials, decisions, action items, and follow‑up activities.

Support the Chief Audit Executive and senior leaders in advancing strategic priorities and high‑visibility initiatives.

Prepare executive presentations, briefing notes, speaking points, and communications for leadership and governance forums.

Facilitate cross‑functional collaboration, ensuring clear ownership, alignment, and accountability for key deliverables.

Manage sensitive and time‑critical requests with sound judgment, discretion, and attention to detail.

Engagement and Organizational Effectiveness

Plan and coordinate employee engagement activities, leadership events, town halls, and related communications.

Support leadership offsites and working sessions by developing agendas, materials, and action‑oriented outputs.

Identify opportunities to simplify governance, improve information flow, and strengthen execution across the function.

Coordinate special projects that support organizational effectiveness and employee experience.

Required Qualifications

4+ years of experience in audit, risk management, strategy, governance, performance management, consulting, financial services, or a related field.

Strong experience preparing executive‑level materials and supporting senior leadership or governance forums.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex information into clear and concise messaging.

Strong analytical, critical‑thinking, planning, and problem‑solving capabilities.

Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate across stakeholders, and deliver against competing deadlines.

High degree of judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling confidential or sensitive information.

Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, and Microsoft Office applications, with the ability to use generative AI responsibly to improve efficiency.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Chief of Staff, corporate strategy, finance, governance, transformation, or performance reporting role.
• Experience supporting an executive leadership team, Board, Audit Committee, or comparable senior governance forum.
• Knowledge of internal audit, enterprise risk management, or the financial services industry.
• Professional designations such as MBA, CPA, CIA, CFA, FRM, or an equivalent credential is an asset.

Key Capabilities

• Executive communication and storytelling
• Strategic thinking and execution
• Financial and performance analysis
• Stakeholder management and influence
• Governance and disciplined follow‑through
• Collaboration, adaptability, and sound judgment

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.

#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.

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].

Salary and Benefits

Referenced Salary Location Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between $73,725.00 CAD – $122,875.00 CAD. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. 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. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [e-mail] for the salary range for your location.

• 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.
• 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 [e-mail] for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.

We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our personal information collection statement.

Our Mission and Recognition

We’re Manulife. And we’re on a mission to make decisions easier and lives better. Better is what drives us. It’s what inspires us to find new ways to support customers and colleagues in living longer and healthier lives. It’s the reason we’re dedicated to investing in digital innovation and industry‑leading AI, and accelerating a sustainable and economically inclusive future. Joining us means you’ll be empowered to learn and grow your career. We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well‑being and inclusion are more than just words. And as part of our global team, you’ll help shape the future you want to see – and discover that better can take you anywhere you want to go. We’re proud of our accomplishments and recognition.

Recent awards include:

2026 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winner

Manulife Named one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2025

Financial Times World’s Best Employers Asia‑Pacific 2026

We’ve been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers 2026

#1 Life Insurer for AI Maturity by Evident 2026

Learn more at https://www.manulife.com/.