Director, Global Event Production

Manulife; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 116,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider in Toronto is looking for a Director, Global Event Production to lead technical execution of innovative corporate events. This role requires expertise in event production across live, virtual, and hybrid formats, collaborating with C-level executives and managing comprehensive event logistics. The ideal candidate will possess over 12 years of experience in corporate events, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to solve complex problems creatively. You will play a key role in creating engaging experiences that align with the company’s mission.

Benefits

Health and dental benefits

Retirement savings plans

Paid time off

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in corporate event production.
• Advanced expertise in managing large-scale corporate events.
• Expert knowledge of event production processes.

Responsibilities

• Plan event production across the full lifecycle.
• Manage vendor partnerships and production schedules.
• Lead on-site rehearsals with speakers.

Skills

Event production expertise

Technical show calling

Stage management

C-level executive collaboration

Budget management

Creative problem-solving

Education

University degree

Tools

Virtual event platforms

Multimedia staging technology

Job description

Join our Global Events & Strategic Initiatives team and play a pivotal role in creating corporate events to build colleague engagement, drive business knowledge and global connectivity.

As Director, Global Event Production, you’ll lead the technical execution of live, virtual, and hybrid corporate events that bring our mission—“Decisions made easier. Lives made better”—to life.

This is an opportunity to showcase your advanced expertise in end-to-end technical event production, show calling, and stage management while collaborating with senior leaders and global teams. If you thrive in fast-paced environments and love pushing boundaries with innovative solutions, this role offers the chance to make a lasting impact on a global scale.

Position Responsibilities

• Own event production planning across the full lifecycle, including stage design and setup, décor and production, creating and managing the technical show flow, on-site show calling, and live operations for global corporate events (live, hybrid, and virtual).
• Be the connective tissue between event and business content, creative, graphics and video, technology and event logistics - bringing these workstreams together and with an understanding and a vision for how it all comes to life on stage and on screen. This includes being responsible for the application of content on multi-media assets supporting the event including main stage presentation screen(s).
• Be curious about break-through experience design and emerging event technology, and be curious about emerging technologies in multimedia, technical staging, live talent and other aspects of corporate event production.
• Manage and lead on-site rehearsals with speakers, including C-level executives; provide coaching and feedback to ensure confident delivery.
• Manage all technical event components including sound, lighting, video, and virtual platforms to deliver flawless experiences.
• Manage vendor partnerships, budgets, and production schedules; ensure services align with statements of work and financial targets.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Brand, IT, AV) to guarantee execution excellence and brand consistency.

Required Qualifications

• University degree plus 12+ years of experience in corporate event production with an incredibly strong portfolio of live and hybrid events.
• Advanced expertise in global experience managing global corporate events (corporate or agency perspective).
• Expert knowledge of end-to-end event production processes, including show calling and stage management for hybrid, virtual, and in-person audiences.
• Have a strategic mindset with the ability to forecast outcomes in a changing environment, and respond accordingly.
• Observant: you have the ability to pick up cues and connect the dots to anticipate and trouble shoot.
• Proven ability to work with C-level executives and manage high-pressure and stressful situations, including technical disruptions.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence; ability to adapt quickly and stay calm under pressure.
• Highly organized, deadline-driven, and detail-oriented with a passion for process and continuous improvement.
• Experience with cutting-edge event technologies and multimedia staging.
• Advance experience with virtual event platforms and hybrid engagement strategies.
• Strong creative problem-solving skills and ability to challenge conventional approaches.
• Demonstrated success in managing large-scale budgets and vendor relationships.

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.

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

$116,000.00 CAD - $166,000.00 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.