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Lead Product Owner, Common Capabilities

Toronto, ON
  • To be discussed
  • 1 position to fill as soon as possible

We are seeking a strategically-minded, execution-oriented Lead Product Owner, Common Capabilities to support the definition and delivery of multiple enterprise common capabilities. This role will partner closely with leadership to translate an established platform vision and strategic direction into actionable opportunities, MVPs, and delivered outcomes.

You will play a critical role in identifying where and how to act, shaping high-impact use cases, and driving capabilities from concept through first proof point (thin slice), launch, and iteration. You will operate in ambiguous, early-stage problem spaces, bringing structure, clarity, and momentum while consistently delivering 01 outcomes within compressed timelines. This role is ideal for a senior or lead product manager ready to step into director-level scope, with a strong track record of building and launching new digital capabilities.

Position Responsibilities:

Translating Strategy into Action

  • Translate enterprise platform strategy and leadership direction into concrete capability opportunities and use cases

  • Identify high-value entry points (thin slices) that validate the broader capability vision

  • Frame ambiguous problem spaces into clear problem statements, success metrics, and prioritized opportunities

  • Partner with leadership to sequence and refine where to invest first

Rapid Discovery & Insight Generation

  • Lead targeted discovery efforts to validate opportunities and refine scope

  • Assess existing tools, platforms, and experiences to identify duplication and opportunities for reuse

  • Synthesize insights into clear requirements and actionable recommendations

  • Quickly validate assumptions and refine direction through iterative research and stakeholder engagement

Solution Design & MVP Definition

  • Define MVP scope and solution approach aligned to strategic intent

  • Partner with Technology and Architecture to shape feasible, reusable and scalable solutions

  • Ensure the first release delivers meaningful value while enabling long-term extensibility

  • Drive clear trade-offs and sequencing decisions to balance speed and sustainability

Execution & Delivery

  • Own execution from requirements through implementation, launch, and initial adoption

  • Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, design, data, and business stakeholders

  • Drive agile delivery with a focus on outcomes, speed, and iteration

  • Ensure capabilities are delivered with clear measurement frameworks and success criteria

Iteration, Scaling & Reuse

  • Continuously refine capabilities based on data, feedback, and performance

  • Expand from initial proof point to broader adoption and reuse across markets

  • Identify opportunities to extend or connect capabilities across journeys

  • Feed insights back into ongoing strategy evolution and roadmap planning

Stakeholder Alignment & Delivery Leadership

  • Act as a key partner to leadership in bringing strategy to life through execution

  • Drive alignment across global and market stakeholders, balancing competing priorities and timelines

  • Communicate progress, risks, and outcomes with clarity and confidence

  • Foster a bias for action, accountability, and timely decision-making

Required Qualifications :

  • 8 -12+ years in digital product management, with strong experience in platform or capability development

  • Proven track record of repeatedly delivering 01 products or capabilities within 12 months

  • Demonstrated ability to identify and execute the right MVP/thin slice to unlock early value

  • Experience operating within complex, cross-functional or global environments

  • Strong experience turning strategic direction into execution plans and delivered outcomes

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Strategic Translation: Ability to take high-level vision and convert it into actionable product opportunities

  • 01 Execution: Deep experience delivering from concept MVP launch iteration

  • Structured Problem Solving: Brings clarity and focus to ambiguous problem spaces

  • Execution Discipline: Balances speed, quality, and long-term scalability

  • Stakeholder Influence: Effective at aligning teams and driving decisions across functions

  • Data-Driven Mindset: Uses insights and metrics to inform decisions and iteration

  • Strong understanding of digital platforms, APIs, and reusable capability design

  • Experience working with or enabling enterprise tools and ecosystems (e.g., CMS, search, personalization, identity)

  • Ability to partner effectively with engineering and architecture teams

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.

#LI-Hybrid

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 hr@manulife.com.

Referenced Salary Location

Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$92,900.00 CAD - $142,900.00 CAD

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 hr@manulife.com 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 hr@manulife.com 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.


Requirements

Level of education

undetermined

Diploma

undetermined

Work experience (years)

undetermined

Written languages

undetermined

Spoken languages

undetermined