Director of CEO & Canada Segment Communications - Short Term Assignments

Company 1; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 105,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider in Toronto is seeking a Director of CEO & Canada Segment Communications to oversee all communications for the CEO. The ideal candidate will have 7-9 years of experience in communications at a publicly traded company, particularly in financial services. This hybrid role offers a salary range of CAD 105,750 to CAD 190,350 and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Customizable health and dental benefits

Mental health support

Retirement savings plans

Generous paid time off program

Qualifications

• 7-9 years of relevant work experience in external and internal communications.
• Experience supporting senior-level or C-suite leaders.
• Proactive idea generator and critical thinker.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a communication strategy for Manulife Canada’s CEO.
• Craft high-impact customer-centric content.
• Oversee messaging for key audiences to drive Manulife's reputation.

Skills

Crisis Management

Marketing

Public Relations

Fundraising

Media Relations

Strategic Planning

Social Media Management

Public Speaking

Writing Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, English, journalism or related field

Job description

Position Overview

Reporting to the Vice President Head of Canada Segment Communications and National Public Relations, the Director of CEO & Canada Segment Communications will lead all aspects of communications for Manulife Canada’s CEO. The role will support the VP in aligning Canada Segment Communications and work closely with the team that supports executives and business units including Group Benefits, Individual Insurance, Manulife Bank, and Affinity.

The role defines and amplifies the CEO’s voice, shapes Manulife Canada’s corporate narrative to align with the mission, engages colleagues and key stakeholders, and ensures impactful messaging across all channels. As a trusted communications partner, you will manage both external and internal communications to drive thought leadership, visibility, and outcome-driven results. This role is vital for enhancing collaboration within the team, ensuring unified communication, and delivering the perspective required to represent Manulife Canada cohesively.

Position Responsibilities

• Strategic Messaging: Develop and execute a communication strategy that defines and strengthens Manulife Canada’s CEO voice, aligning with the company’s mission and values for different stakeholder audiences.
• High-impact customer-centric content: Craft speeches, blogs, executive briefs, social media posts, town hall presentations, press engagements, quarterly earnings messaging, and other public-facing content.
• Engaging and empowering employees: Develop internal communications, town hall presentations, and other employee-focused materials that reflect and promote Manulife’s mission and values.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Oversee messaging for key audiences (employees, customers, media, and investors) to drive Manulife Canada’s reputation and brand while fostering transparency and ensuring alignment with business priorities.
• Reputation Management: Proactively identify, mitigate, and advise on communication risks while handling sensitive issues with confidentiality.
• Collaboration: Partner with teams across Canada Segment, Global Communications, Marketing, Government Relations, agency partners and others to ensure cohesive and consistent messaging.

Required Qualifications

• 7-9 years of relevant work experience in external and internal communications at a publicly traded company, preferably in financial services. Insurance industry experience is an asset.
• Experience across multiple communications disciplines (e.g., strategy, communication, thought leadership and transformation messaging, engagement, people, culture, brand issues management, and storytelling).
• Experience supporting senior-level or C-suite leaders through communications strategies, thought leadership initiatives, and media interviews.
• Experience in navigating media issues and providing strategic counsel to minimize or mitigate reputational risks.
• A strong grasp of global issues, current events, and business trends.
• Proactive idea generator and critical thinker, adept at translating complex technical issues and financial strategies into clear actionable insights for employees.
• Proven ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects at a fast pace, ensuring attention to detail, completeness, and accuracy while aligning results with strategic business objectives.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, English, journalism or related field.

When you join our team

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
• We recognize and support you in a flexible environment where wellbeing and inclusion are more than just words.
• As part of our global team we 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 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. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [specified contact].

Referenced Salary Location

Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between 105,750.00 CAD - 190,350.00 CAD

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

Required Experience :

Chief

Key Skills

Crisis Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Fundraising, Media Relations, Constant Contact, Strategic Planning, Social Media Management, Team Management, Public Speaking, Wordpress, Writing Skills

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1