AVP, Strategy and Transformation

Manulife; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 123,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Manulife seeks an AVP of Strategy and Transformation to spearhead strategic initiatives and guide a team in aligning investments with company goals. The role emphasizes leadership, strategic oversight, and collaboration with senior stakeholders to drive change and deliver measurable outcomes.

Benefits

Customizable benefits

Retirement savings plans

Generous paid time off program

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience or equivalent education and experience.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to influence and motivate teams.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders to translate business strategy into initiatives.
• Manage project portfolio to ensure alignment with objectives.
• Lead governance practices and annual planning process.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Analytical Skills

Collaboration

Stakeholder Management

Education

Advanced degree

Job description

The AVP of Strategy and Transformation for the Manulife Canadian Segment plays a pivotal role in setting the vision and driving the execution of strategic initiatives within the organization. This role involves leading the development of the annual strategy and planning to achieve Manulife’s goals.

The AVP will manage a team to provide strategic analysis, guide investments, govern the investment portfolio, and track program execution in alignment with targets and success metrics. This position requires strong leadership skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders across the organization.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Oversight:

• Partner with senior leaders to translate business strategy into actionable initiatives and results.

• Drive prioritization of business goals and initiatives considering resource and financial constraints.

• Serve as a senior point of escalation for strategic issues and roadblocks, partnering cross-functionally to resolve them.

• Monitor progress on execution to ensure alignment with medium and long-term objectives.

2. Portfolio Management:

• Own and manage the project portfolio, ensuring transparency and reporting on status (scope, budget, and timeliness).

• Develop and implement portfolio reporting and analysis processes.

• Establish and manage a comprehensive catalogue of initiatives within the segment/portfolio.

• Monitor project portfolio and results, making adjustments to take advantage of emerging opportunities.

3. Governance Practices:

• Own and drive governance practices across the segment portfolio.

• Ensure adherence to enterprise standards across all initiatives.

• Act as a subject matter expert on necessary governance procedures and approvals.

• Lead the annual planning process to ensure alignment of spend with strategic objectives.

4. Financial Oversight:

• Partner with finance professionals to capture, report, and ensure transparency for project financials.

• Define, rationalize, and gain agreement for financial budgets and earnings targets.

• Facilitate discussions and drive decision-making regarding focus areas and financial constraints.

5. Leadership and Collaboration:

• Lead a high-caliber team to drive organizational change and successful delivery of portfolio reporting.

• Establish cross-functional leadership communities focused on execution and business readiness.

• Collaborate with global counterparts to develop and deliver informed portfolio reporting.

• Build strong relationships and networks both internally and externally.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree with 12+ years of experience, or a combination of education and experience.

• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to influence and motivate teams.

• Ability to understand and leverage industry trends and deep business expertise.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data objectively and make informed decisions.

• Proven track record of driving change and delivering results in a complex environment.

• Excellent leadership, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.

• Socially aware with the ability to engage others to derive new and innovative outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in management consulting, investment banking, or similar strategy roles preferred.

• Bilingualism (English and French) is an asset. If the successful candidate is in Québec, proficiency in both languages will be required to support clients from various provinces outside of Quebec.

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.

Note: This job description outlines the primary duties and qualifications expected of an AVP, Strategy & Transformation. Duties and responsibilities may evolve as needed to meet the changing needs of the organization.

#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 [e-mail] .

Referenced Salary Location

Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$123,400.00 CAD - $229,300.00 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.