Manager, Group Benefits, Sponsor Risk Management

Manulife Financial; Waterloo; Hybrid; CAD 82,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider is looking for a Manager to oversee risk management and contract oversight in the Group Benefits business. This role includes conducting risk reviews, leading negotiations for service agreements, and collaborating with stakeholders to mitigate risks. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years of experience in risk management or group benefits. Competitive salary between $82,600 - $132,600 CAD, plus a wide range of benefits including health, dental, and retirement plans.

Benefits

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement savings plans

Paid time off

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in risk management or group benefits contracting.
• Strong understanding of Canadian insurance regulations and privacy standards.
• Proven experience leading complex negotiations with external clients.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial risk and compliance reviews to improve internal engagement.
• Lead complex negotiations of high-profile Service Agreements with plan sponsors.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure alignment and risk mitigation.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Risk management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Law, Risk Management or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Power BI

JIRA/JSM

Job description

This role provides first line of oversight in identifying, assessing, and mitigating plan sponsor-related risks and contractual exposures within the Group Benefits business. By leading governance forums and complex service agreement negotiations, the Manager ensures alignment with Manulife’s risk appetite while enhancing operational controls and client experience.

Position Responsibilities

1. Plan Sponsor Risk Management & Contract Oversight

• Conduct initial risk and compliance reviews to reduce downstream impacts and improve internal engagement efficiency.
• Ensure contractual language aligns with Manulife’s standards and risk appetite, in collaboration with Legal, Privacy, and other internal SMEs.
• Lead complex negotiations of high-profile Service Agreements (MSAs, OA, DPAs, NDAs) with large/jumbo plan sponsors.
• Assert Manulife’s standard practices and policies while balancing client needs and risk tolerance.
• Support escalations and client interactions with professionalism and clarity.

2. Governance & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Lead the Client Customization Review Committee (CCRC), a multi-stakeholder governance forum overseeing client customization requests.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Distribution, Legal, Privacy, Underwriting, Product, Operations, Tax, Disability, and IT Risk to ensure alignment and risk mitigation.
• Continuously improve committee processes, including intake, redirection, and stakeholder engagement.

3. Process Innovation & Systems Optimization

• Identify process gaps and initiate interdepartmental working groups to reduce inefficiencies.
• Support the continual improvement and development of tools such as JIRA/JSM to manage and track work requests.
• Champion automation and GenAI adoption to streamline contract and RFP reviews, and negotiation workflows.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across the team, including providing education and guidance on risk standards, contract language, and negotiation strategy.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Law, Risk Management, or related field.
• 5–7 years of experience in risk management, legal/compliance, or group benefits contracting.
• Strong understanding of Canadian insurance regulations, privacy standards, and operational risk frameworks.
• Proven experience leading complex negotiations with external clients.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to simplify complex concepts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designation or progress toward certification.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with tools such as Power BI, JIRA/JSM, and GenAI solutions (e.g., Copilot).
• Strong expertise in risk identification, analysis, and mitigation, including control design and monitoring practices.
• Solid understanding of legal, regulatory, and privacy compliance in the context of plan sponsor risk and contractual obligations.
• Exceptional organizational skills with a proactive, collaborative approach and ability to manage high-visibility deliverables under ambiguity.
• Passion for improving client experience and driving operational excellence through innovation and continuous improvement.

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.

關於宏利和恒康

宏利金融公司是一家業界領先的國際金融服務商，致力於幫助人們實現「輕鬆投資理財，樂享豐盛人生」。若要進一步了解我們，請瀏覽 https://www.manulifeim.com/institutional/tw/en

宏利是平等機會僱主

在宏利／恒康，我們擁抱多元。我們致力於吸引、培養及挽留和所服務客戶同樣多元的員工，並從而營造包容的工作環境，接納文化和個體差異。我們矢志維持公平的招聘、挽留、晉升及薪酬制度，我們管理的所有實踐及項目不會因種族、血統、原籍地、膚色、族裔、國籍、宗教或宗教信仰、信仰、性別（包括懷孕及其相關情況）、性取向、遺傳特徵、退伍軍人身份、性別認同、性別表達、年齡、婚姻狀況、家庭狀況、殘疾或受適用法律保護的任何其他因素而區別對待。

我們的首要任務是消除障礙，為員工提供平等就業機會。人力資源部代表將盡力為應徵過程中提出要求的申請人提供合理協助。申請人要求提供協助所分享的信息將會按照適用法律及宏利／恒康政策儲存及使用。應徵過程中如需協助，請聯絡 [e-mail]。

Referenced Salary Location

Waterloo, Ontario

Working Arrangement

混合式

Salary range is expected to be between

$82,600.00 CAD - $132,600.00 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.