Business Services Director, Strategy

Join Manulife Wealth as our Business Services Director, Strategy, and lead the charge in driving our corporate initiatives forward. In this influential role, you'll collaborate with senior leadership to shape strategic priorities that align with our mission. Your expertise in research and analysis will guide customer-focused, fact-based decisions, while your leadership will be vital in steering cross-functional teams toward successful project outcomes.

As a strategic thinker with strong financial acumen and excellent communication skills, you will build consensus and influence change across the organization. If you're ready to make a significant impact and elevate our strategic direction, we invite you to join us at Manulife Wealth and help lead the way in innovation and growth.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead and facilitate the strategic planning process for key initiatives, ensuring alignment with the Manulife Wealth's business objectives.

• Conduct and oversee research and analysis to support informed, client-focused decision-making, and recommend strategic solutions.

• Act as the business lead for assigned strategic initiatives and projects, developing comprehensive business cases and securing leadership buy-in for proposed strategies and implementation plans.

• Provide business insights and track project execution to ensure alignment with established objectives and successful outcomes.

• Collaborate effectively with department leaders, project sponsors, senior leadership, and colleagues to build consensus on key objectives and strategies.

• Lead cross-functional teams and represent Manulife Wealth in cross-business unit projects and committees, driving collaboration and innovation.

• Facilitate effective non-financial business planning, strategy discussions, and market research with senior staff to drive strategic insights and decisions.

• Promote a client-first attitude and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation within a diverse team.

• Support the development of team members through coaching and mentorship, enhancing their skills and contributions to the organization

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: 8+ years of progressive business experience, including the successful execution of complex projects.

• Industry Knowledge: Excellent understanding of the financial services industry.

• Financial Acumen: Strong financial acumen with the ability to build detailed business cases.

• Communication and Influence: Excellent communication, influencing, and conflict management skills, with well-developed presentation abilities.

• Leadership and Collaboration: Ability to work with and influence cross-functional teams, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills.

• Strategic and Analytical Skills: Effective conceptual, diagnostic, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Strategic thinker with a results-oriented focus.

• Adaptability: Demonstrated flexibility and judgment in a changing environment, with the ability to work effectively in a non-structured setting.

• Project Management: Well-developed planning and project management skills, including process and change management abilities.

• Education: University degree required; post-university degree or professional designation preferred. Industry-related education is also preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Industry Experience: Extensive experience within the financial services industry, particularly in roles related to strategic planning, business development, or product management.

• Leadership Experience: Proven track record of leading high-performing teams and developing talent in a cross-functional environment.

• Innovation and Change Management: Experience in driving innovation and managing change initiatives within an organization.

• Technology Acumen: Familiarity with emerging technologies and their application within the financial services sector.

• Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and influence senior stakeholders and build strong relationships across the organization.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Proficiency in leveraging data analytics to inform strategic decisions and optimize business processes.

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.

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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 recruitment@manulife.com.

Referenced Salary Location

Salary range is expected to be between

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact recruitment@manulife.com 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 recruitment@manulife.com for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.