Manager – Marketing Operations & Strategic Projects

Manulife is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make decisions easier and lives better. Help shape the future you want to see - and discover that better can take you anywhere you want to go.

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Manager to lead operations, agency management, and strategic initiatives within our Canada Brand team. This role is ideal for a marketing leader who thrives in a global, matrixed environment and is passionate about driving operational excellence, optimizing agency partnerships, and delivering high-impact marketing programs.

Marketing Operations

• Identify and implement tools and technologies that enhance team collaboration, reporting, and execution.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Canada Brand marketing team, ensuring alignment across functions and seamless execution of marketing initiatives.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of marketing processes, workflows, and governance frameworks to drive operational efficiency and consistency.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to integrate planning efforts, ensuring marketing strategies are aligned with business priorities and timelines.
• Manage and track the marketing budget, including forecasting, reconciliation, and reporting, ensuring financial accountability and transparency.
• Facilitate team annual planning to support strategic goal setting and performance tracking.

Agency Management & Vendor Operations

• Manage Tier 1-3 agency relationships for Canada Segment, including relationship health, ways of working, optimizations and financial deliverables
• Lead annual agency planning, retainer utilization, and spend reporting.
• Manage vendor contracts, procurement processes (including RFPs), onboarding/offboarding, and risk reviews.

Strategic Projects & Brand Resource Development

• Identify and evaluate strategic marketing opportunities that align with business goals and market trends.
• Lead high-impact initiatives from ideation through to execution, ensuring cross-functional alignment and measurable outcomes.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define project scope, success metrics, and execution plans.
• Drive innovation by piloting new approaches, tools, or campaigns that enhance brand presence and marketing effectiveness.
• Monitor and report on initiative progress, ensuring timely delivery and continuous optimization.

Job Requirements:

• BA/BS in Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field.
• 7-10 years of experience in marketing operations, project management, or agency/vendor management.
• Proficiency in marketing workflow tools (e.g., Adobe Workfront and Smartsheet)
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• A passion for operational excellence, continuous improvement, and brand integrity.

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 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.