Vice President, Group Functions Technology - Finance & Treasury Systems

Manulife; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 308,000 - 572,000; Full time

Job summary

Manulife seeks a seasoned VP-level technology leader for Group Functions Technology (GFT) Finance Systems. You will drive global information services strategy, oversee complex IS projects, and partner with CFO offices worldwide.

This role demands strategic vision, cross‑functional influence, and strong governance across Canada, the U.S., Asia, and beyond. The role reports to the SVP & CIO and requires delivering value within budget while advancing operational excellence and risk controls for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 15+ years of increasing responsibility in strategy, process or technology oriented areas with deep knowledge of financial services and insurance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage large, complex IS application integrations and coordinate infrastructure projects.
• Develop and execute IS application strategy for Finance & Treasury globally.
• Ensure budget targets, governance, Sox compliance, and risk controls across functions.

Skills

Strategic technology leadership

Financial services knowledge

Cross-cultural collaboration

Project portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Information Technology or related field

Job description

The VP Group Functions Technology (GFT) Finance Systems is accountable for formulating and driving global information services, technology strategies, management, and implementations for Manulife Group Finance (GF) as well as day to day operations for our finance and treasury portfolios. This role is the Information Services lead for the Finance and Treasury and has a clear mandate to identify opportunities to utilize technology to maximize productivity as well as efficiencies while supporting the evolving needs of the business and their clients across Canada, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong and the rest of Asia. This includes developing the IS application strategy and overseeing its execution to meet goals within agreed targets and budget for GFT Finance Systems.

This role is accountable for effectively leading and managing large and complex IS application integrations and the coordination of technical infrastructure projects, ensuring that the communication of requirements and expectations are clear and projects are completed on time and deployed in a controlled and user inclusive manner across the enterprise globally.

This role will require a deep understanding of both financial processes and cash management best practices, as well as the ability to drive operational excellence and delivery efficiency. This role has accountability directly to the SVP & CIO of Group Functions Technology and to provide services to the heads of the various Group Finance Functions and their teams including the VP, Chief Accountant as well the SVP & Treasurer.

Position Responsibilities

Individual Accountabilities

• Partner with the functions and provide thought leadership, develop and provide authoritative advice related to emerging and innovative solutions.
• Develop a service oriented team and culture across GFT and collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and prioritize technology requirements for finance and treasury initiatives.
• Operate within budget targets to add value while ensuring business goals are met.
• Oversee all technology roles, services, budgets and savings within GFT and manage the relative spend ratio between build and run.
• Implement technology vision and operating model within GFT.
• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement in service management to effectively achieve associated SLA’s and SLO’s and enable the success of the technology strategy for business units throughout the enterprise.
• Maintain and adhere to governance for Sox compliance, regulators, internal and external auditors as well as all key risk and control standards for Information Risk Management.
• Execute technology talent strategy and headcount planning across the areas of accountability and the selection, retention and development of senior level professional staff for the GFT group, across Canada and global operating area.

Key Shared Accountabilities

• Leveraging technology to optimize efficiencies and standardized business processes.
• In conjunction with the Global Enterprise Architecture & EngineeringOffice, develop appropriate application architecture standards for Group Functions and enforce adherence.
• With a focus on key vendors, leverage global practices for the execution of vendor management strategy in coordination with Procurement and vendor management policies.
• Active participation and input into appropriate Business Continuity Planning, Disaster Recovery, Information Risk and Security globally for GFT.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 15+ years of increasing responsibility in strategy, process or technology oriented areas with deep and broad knowledge of financial services and the insurance industry.
• Strong understanding of financial and cash management frameworks, regulations, and industry standards.
• Ability to manage multiple high profile conflicting priorities typically found in a large and complex project portfolio that spans multiple business lines, ensuring deliveries are on time and budget.
• International exposure and ability to work with a variety of cultures and perspectives. Senior professional with extensive experience developing and integrating complex services and systems.
• Strategic thinker, thinks conceptually beyond day-to-day business realities, creates a clear vision for the business and adopts a long‑term perspective.
• First‑hand experience in management of unexpected crisis and ensures timely resolution.
• Ability to engage and influence at all levels of the organization. Interacts in ways that gain acceptance and commitment, influence opinion and resolve conflicts.
• Proven interpersonal skills: two‑way communications skills (oral and written), ability to build relationships, influence others, work with a diverse internal and international customer base.
• Solid track record of delivering innovative sustainable technology solutions, reducing costs, increasing productivity.
• Able to function as an organizational change agent and see beyond current situations towards enterprise‑wide higher level process and systems improvements and reengineering departments through leadership, and innovation.
• Strong services and systems aptitude; demonstrated project management and planning skills; balances strategic skills with tactical execution skills.
• Strong operations efficiency orientation (process, costing, etc.) and ability to effectively manage ongoing operations within budget targets while identifying opportunities for ongoing efficiency.

If you are applying to this role in Massachusetts, please note the salary range is $217,900 - $405,300 USD. Additionally, employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

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].

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary & Benefits

• Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.
• 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.
• If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [e-mail] for the salary range for your location.

• 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.

We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our personal information collection statement.