Director, Business Management

Manulife; Hong Kong; Hybrid; HKD 500,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Manulife is seeking a Director of Business Management in Hong Kong to translate Distribution's strategic direction into a governed portfolio of initiatives, plans and results. The role partners with Distribution leadership, owning end-to-end strategy execution, governance and communications with internal teams and channels.

You will turn strategic priorities into structured workplans, monitor performance, and collaborate with finance on spend and forecasts.

Qualifications

• Strong structured problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear insights and decisions.
• Strong business sense and understanding of the commercial drivers of insurance distribution.
• Proven track record of leading strategy execution, portfolio or PMO governance, or transformation programmes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including executive presentations and change communication to large frontline audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with senior leaders and across functions.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and lead without formal authority in a fast-changing environment.

Responsibilities

• Drive development of strategies and initiatives to enable distribution growth.
• Work with product, marketing, health and other functions to formulate and execute strategy.
• Track regulatory developments and market outlooks to shape distribution enablement strategy.
• Lead governance of the distribution strategic initiative portfolio.
• Turn strategic direction into structured workplans, timelines, milestones and deliverables.
• Set priorities, accountabilities and performance measures for initiatives.
• Review initiative plans to align with strategic, commercial and financial objectives.
• Support investment prioritisation and funding decisions across initiatives.
• Support key business transformation efforts.
• Partner with finance to monitor key strategic and financial results.

Skills

Structured problem-solving

Business sense

Strategy execution

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance or related discipline

MBA an advantage

Job description

Manulife's ambition is to become Hong Kong and Macau's number one customer choice and digital customer leader. Distribution is central to that ambition. The Director, Business Management turns Distribution's strategic direction into a governed portfolio of initiatives, plans and results.

The role reports to the Senior Director, Business Management, Distribution and partners closely with Distribution leadership and other functions. It owns strategic initiatives end to end, from strategy formulation, business case, execution and benefits realisation. It also owns Distribution's communication with both internal teams and distribution channels. The role needs structured thinking, commercial judgement and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across functions.

Position Responsibilities:

Distribution Growth Strategy

• Drive the development of strategies and initiatives to enable distribution growth ambition

• Work closely with product & proposition, marketing, health and other functions to formulate and execute strategy

• Track regulatory developments, macroeconomic trends and market outlooks to shape the distribution enablement strategy

Strategy Execution and Portfolio Governance

• Lead governance of the distribution strategic initiative portfolio

• Turn strategic direction into structured workplans, timelines, milestones and deliverables

• Set clear priorities, accountabilities and performance measures for strategic initiatives

• Review and challenge initiative plans to make sure they align with strategic, commercial and financial objectives

• Support investment prioritisation and funding decisions across competing initiatives

• Support key business transformation efforts

• Partner with finance to monitor key strategic and financial results, including spend effectiveness and forecasts

Distribution Communication

• Own distribution internal communication plan on strategic priorities, changes and progress

• Lead communication of new initiatives, programmes and changes to distribution channels to enable buy-in and adoption

• Prepare executive-level presentations, business updates and management reports for senior leadership

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with distribution channels, product & proposition, customer & marketing, finance and other functions to align on priorities and execution

• Act as a trusted thought partner to distribution leadership, offering structured insights, fact-based recommendations and clear storytelling

• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to deliver on time and effectively

Required Qualifications:

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong structured problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear insights and decisions

• Strong business sense and understanding of the commercial drivers of insurance distribution

• Proven track record of leading strategy execution, portfolio or PMO governance, or transformation programmes

• Excellent written and verbal communication, including executive presentations and change communication to large frontline audiences

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with senior leaders and across functions

• Able to manage multiple priorities and lead without formal authority in a fast-changing environment

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance or a related discipline; MBA an advantage

• 10–15 years of relevant experience in strategy, management consulting, business management, or distribution strategy

• Prior experience in insurance, financial service or wealth management preferred

• Fluency in English and Cantonese required; Mandarin an advantage

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].

Working Arrangement

Hybrid