Manager, Distribution Strategy & Advisory

Manulife Financial; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Manulife Financial is seeking a Distribution Governance & Regulatory Enablement professional to provide regulatory guidance, ensure governance of recruitment and distribution practices, and translate regulatory developments into practical business procedures. The role includes leading complex case assessments, advising on commercial risk, and supporting distribution agreements and strategic initiatives.

As part of a global team, you will collaborate with Legal, Compliance and business

Responsibilities

• Regulatory guidance – Provide practical guidance on evolving regulatory requirements impacting recruitment, distribution compensation and salesforce management.
• Distribution governance – Ensure that recruitment and distribution practices remain aligned with regulatory requirements, industry guidelines and internal governance standards.
• Business advisory – Translate regulatory developments into practical business recommendations, operating procedures and implementation plans.
• Complex case management – Lead Fit & Proper assessments, compliance reviews, exception handling and governance matters for complex cases.
• Operational improvement – Strengthen compliance frameworks, documentation standards and audit readiness, while improving operational efficiency and consistency.
• Subject matter expertise – Act as the key subject matter expert on legal and governance matters relating to recruitment, distribution agreements and strategic business initiatives.
• Commercial risk advisory – Provide practical legal and risk perspectives on recruitment programs, compensation frameworks, partnership structures and distribution strategies.
• Agreement implementation – Support the drafting, review and implementation of distribution agreements, partnership arrangements and strategic business initiatives.
• Governance role – Develop scalable legal and governance frameworks that support sustainable business growth while maintaining appropriate controls.
• Stakeholder management role – Act as the primary liaison across Legal, Compliance and business stakeholders to facilitate timely decision‑making and execution.
• Project leadership – Support the design, execution and rollout of strategic initiatives relating to recruitment transformation, strategic partnerships, potential acquisition opportunities of external agencies and compensation changes.
• Implementation support – Assess legal, regulatory and governance implications of new business initiatives and recommend practical solutions to support implementation.
• Cross-functional execution – Partner with business leaders and functional teams to drive cross-functional projects from concept through implementation.
• Governance role – Support business case development, governance approvals and stakeholder engagement for strategic initiatives.
• Growth enablement – Provide legal, regulatory and governance input to enable the successful delivery of key growth priorities.
• Trusted business partner – Build credibility as a practical and commercially aware advisor within the distribution function, with the ability to explain complex legal and regulatory concepts clearly and support sound business decision‑making.
• Holistic Problem‑Solving – Take a broad view of issues by considering commercial objectives, legal and regulatory risks, reputational impact, operational realities, and efficient solutions.
• Execution – Take ownership of strategic projects and regulatory initiatives, working closely with stakeholders to deliver practical outcomes.
• Communication, Prioritization & Resilience – Demonstrate excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills, manage competing priorities effectively, and work under pressure with initiative, creativity and sound judgment.

Job description

Distribution Governance & Regulatory Enablement

• Regulatory guidance – Provide practical guidance on evolving regulatory requirements impacting recruitment, distribution compensation and salesforce management.


• Distribution governance – Ensure that recruitment and distribution practices remain aligned with regulatory requirements, industry guidelines and internal governance standards.


• Business advisory – Translate regulatory developments into practical business recommendations, operating procedures and implementation plans.


• Complex case management – Lead Fit & Proper assessments, compliance reviews, exception handling and governance matters for complex cases.


• Operational improvement – Strengthen compliance frameworks, documentation standards and audit readiness, while improving operational efficiency and consistency.

Strategic Advisory & Distribution Frameworks

• Subject matter expertise – Act as the key subject matter expert on legal and governance matters relating to recruitment, distribution agreements and strategic business initiatives.


• Commercial risk advisory – Provide practical legal and risk perspectives on recruitment programs, compensation frameworks, partnership structures and distribution strategies.


• Agreement implementation – Support the drafting, review and implementation of distribution agreements, partnership arrangements and strategic business initiatives.


• Governance role – Develop scalable legal and governance frameworks that support sustainable business growth while maintaining appropriate controls.


• Stakeholder management role – Act as the primary liaison across Legal, Compliance and business stakeholders to facilitate timely decision‑making and execution.

Strategic Projects & Business Transformation

• Project leadership – Support the design, execution and rollout of strategic initiatives relating to recruitment transformation, strategic partnerships, potential acquisition opportunities of external agencies and compensation changes.


• Implementation support – Assess legal, regulatory and governance implications of new business initiatives and recommend practical solutions to support implementation.


• Cross-functional execution – Partner with business leaders and functional teams to drive cross-functional projects from concept through implementation.


• Governance role – Support business case development, governance approvals and stakeholder engagement for strategic initiatives.


• Growth enablement– Provide legal, regulatory and governance input to enable the successful delivery of key growth priorities.

What Success Looks Like

• Trusted business partner – Build credibility as a practical and commercially aware advisor within the distribution function, with the ability to explain complex legal and regulatory concepts clearly and support sound business decision‑making.


• Holistic Problem‑Solving – Take a broad view of issues by considering commercial objectives, legal and regulatory risks, reputational impact, operational realities, and efficient solutions.


• Execution – Take ownership of strategic projects and regulatory initiatives, working closely with stakeholders to deliver practical outcomes.

Communication, Prioritization & Resilience – Demonstrate excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills, manage competing priorities effectively, and work under pressure with initiative, creativity and sound judgment.

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