AVP AdminAdvantage

Manulife; Southwestern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 126,000 - 236,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider is seeking an AVP, Administrative Solutions, responsible for managing client relationships for the AdminAdvantage product. The role involves strategic planning, team leadership, and operational management to enhance the client experience. Candidates should have proven experience in operational management, strong strategic thinking, and exceptional communication skills. This position offers a competitive salary range of CAD $126,600 to $235,300 and a hybrid working arrangement.

Benefits

Health and dental benefits

Wellness benefits

Retirement savings plans

Generous paid time off program

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior operational management role.
• Ability to influence client solutions for optimal outcomes.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the client relationship management for AdminAdvantage.
• Develop operational strategies to enhance client experience.
• Lead and optimize a team of client relationship professionals.

Skills

Client Management

Strategic Planning

Team Building

Financial Acumen

Process Improvement

Communication Skills

Education

Relevant Bachelor's degree

Job description

The AVP, Administrative Solutions, Strategy and Operations is responsible for overseeing the post-sale client relationship management for Manulife’s Group Benefits (GB) AdminAdvantage product for a subset of strategic accounts. AdminAdvantage offers Canadian employers the ability to outsource administration of their group benefits plan to Manulife. At its core, AdminAdvantage is a packaged service product designed to streamline benefits administration and enhance the overall client experience.

This role will build, manage and optimize a team of client relationship management professionals and operational specialists, who execute service strategies tailored to their client portfolio. Taking a data-driven approach, the AVP will measure and drive quality across their client portfolio, executing detailed plans to ensure events such as annual benefits reenrollment run smoothly for both Plan Sponsors and Plan Members.

The AVP is an experienced and proven client relationship expert, who develops and coaches their team members, optimizes and improves operational processes, and develops and executes the strategy for the technology and processes underlying the AdminAdvantage product. The AVP also acts as an escalation point when needed, to ensure potential issues are quickly and fully resolved. This role requires a highly collaborative approach that seeks to influence internal partners in supporting the needs of our external clients. While keeping the team focused on strong execution, the AVP is also consistently working toward driving efficiencies, often through digital solutions, to enhance and evolve the team’s ways of working.

Position Responsibilities

Client Management

• Ensure exceptional service execution and client satisfaction while supporting strategic growth plans against a backdrop of evolving client and market expectations.
• Influence a team of client-facing professionals to ensure exceptional service delivery and client satisfaction including management of technical enrolment campaigns.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key clients, acting as the main point of contact for escalations and strategic discussions.
• Understand client needs and requirements, and ensure the organization meets and exceeds these expectations including the ability to influence client solutions to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Regularly review and analyze client data and feedback to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance the client experience and foster long-term partnerships.

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Develop and implement operational strategies that deliver seamless experiences for both Plan Sponsors and Plan Members.
• Leverage available technology and automation to provide effective and efficient client solutions.
• Monitor industry trends and best practices to ensure the organization remains competitive and innovative.
• Collaborate with senior management to develop long-term business plans.

Operational Management

• Oversee operational client management to ensure efficiency and high-performance including oversight of key daily service metrics.
• Implement and manage changes to operational policies and procedures impacting our clients.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.

Continuous Improvement

• Utilize data and analytics to monitor performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify areas for process improvement and implement solutions to enhance operational efficiency and client experience.

Leadership and Team Development

• Provide strong direction to the Admin Advantage team.
• Foster a positive and productive work environment.
• Influence and work collaboratively across Operations and the broader Group Benefits team to deliver client solutions.

Project Management

• Oversee major projects and initiatives, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
• Coordinate with other departments to ensure project alignment with overall business objectives.

Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate operational risks.
• Develop and implement contingency plans to address potential disruptions.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior operational management role.
• Experience leading client-facing teams and managing client relationships.
• Strong influence and team-building skills.
• Excellent strategic planning and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in financial management and managing key metrics.
• Strong understanding of business processes and operational best practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Client Management: Strong ability to manage client relationships and ensure client satisfaction.
• Problem Solving: Applying a structured and data-driven approach to resolving issues and managing client expectations.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement long-term business strategies.
• Financial Acumen: Proficiency in managing key metrics and financial performance.
• Process Improvement: Skilled in identifying inefficiencies and implementing effective solutions.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Bilingualism (English and French) is a strong asset. If the successful candidate is in Québec, proficiency in both languages will be required to support clients from various provinces outside of Quebec.

May require occasional travel to other company locations, client sites, or industry events.

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].

Referenced Salary Location

CAN, Quebec, Montreal, 900 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$126,600.00 CAD - $235,300.00 CAD

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [e-mail] 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 [e-mail] for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.