Sr. Project Specialist, Operations Enablement

Manulife; Southwestern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 71,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider in Ontario is seeking a proactive professional to join their Operations Enablement team. This role involves managing strategic projects that influence change and drive operational effectiveness in the Canadian Disability & Group Life sector. Candidates should have 3-5+ years of relevant experience, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. The position offers a hybrid working arrangement and a competitive salary ranging from CAD 71,925 to CAD 119,875, along with comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Health and dental insurance

Retirement savings plans

Paid time off

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of relevant experience in strategic planning.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and SharePoint is required.
• Strong analytical skills to identify trends.

Responsibilities

• Manage initiatives to ensure measurable business impact.
• Use data to analyze trends and propose improvements.
• Facilitate stakeholder alignment on decisions.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Project management

Influencing leadership

Effective communication

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Education

University degree in strategic planning

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

SharePoint

PowerPoint

Job description

Join our Operations Enablement team and play a key role in supporting the acceleration of Canadian Disability & Group Life business objectives. This role is perfect for someone who thrives on solving complex problems, influencing change, and driving strategic initiatives that make a real impact. You’ll be at the center of executing strategic initiatives that align with our Canadian Disability & Group Life vision and objectives.

Your work will involve:

• Turning data into actionable insights
• Driving execution of transformation projects
• Influencing decisions and creating alignment for change
• Bringing internal communications strategies to life
• Telling the story of Canadian Disability & Group Life through impactful presentations
• Enabling management team effectiveness through a structured operating model

Responsibilities

• Deliver Strategic Projects: Manage initiatives with measurable business impact, ensuring benefits are realized.
• Analyze & Recommend: Use data to identify trends and propose improvements.
• Drive Change: Facilitate decision‑making, manage milestones, and keep stakeholders aligned.
• Communicate Powerfully: Build compelling presentations and stories for senior leadership.
• Align Leadership: Support the management operating model to enable leadership to focus attention on most important topics.
• Organize & Launch Events: Plan and deploy internal communications strategies, such as leadership offsites and all‑colleague townhalls, in support of strategy execution.

Required Qualifications

• Experience & Background
  • 3-5+ years of relevant, progressively senior experience
  • University degree or equivalent experience in strategic planning and project execution
• Technical Skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint
  • Advanced PowerPoint skills
• Analytical Thinker
  • Strong quantitative analysis skills
  • Ability to identify trends and solve problems logically
• Strategic Influencer
  • Skilled at influencing leaders and gaining buy‑in
  • Comfortable making recommendations and driving decisions
• Exceptional Communicator
  • Ability to make complex concepts simple and engaging for various audiences
  • Advanced storytelling skills
• Change Agent
  • Thrives in ambiguity and fast‑paced environments
  • Strong organizational and project management skills
• Self‑starter
  • Takes the lead in identifying what needs to be done without waiting for instructions
  • Ability to break down complex problems into actionable steps and to create solutions where blueprints may not exist
• Dynamic Collaborator
  • Ability to set, manage and work to the expectations of stakeholders, working independently as well collaboratively, in a geographically dispersed organization
  • Proactive in managing competing priorities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience & Skills
  • Disability experience is a bonus; not required
  • Bilingualism (English and French) is a bonus; not required

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, Ontario, Toronto, 250 Bloor Street East

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$71,925.00 CAD - $119,875.00 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.