AVP Government Relations (Ottawa)

Do you have a passion for business, strategy, and public policy? Do you want the opportunity to work for one of Canada’s most internationally successful companies to solve challenges and find solutions that will improve the lives of millions of Manulife customers in Canada and around the globe?

Manulife’s Government Relations team is looking for an AVP Government Relations to join us in Ottawa. The Director will join a global, multi-disciplinary team that coordinates across business lines and jurisdictions to engage on public policy and regulatory issues to ensure that Manulife continues to deliver on our commitments to customers, employees, shareholders and stakeholders.

Based in Ottawa, this role will serve as Manulife’s primary advocate and liaison with Canadian federal government officials, working to advance policy outcomes that support the company’s business objectives while reinforcing our reputation as a constructive, solutions-oriented public policy partner.

The successful candidate will operate at the intersection of public policy, regulation, and business strategy, with a deep understanding of federal decision-making processes and a strong professional network across Parliament, key departments and agencies.

This role requires strategic thinking, strong written and verbal communications skills, advocacy and negotiation experience, an ability to lead and achieve, tact and curiosity. An ability to build strong, collaborative relationships internally and externally is essential.

Position Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive government relations strategy aligned with enterprise priorities across health benefits, insurance, retirement savings, wealth management, and financial services.

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with ministers’ offices, senators and members of Parliament, senior officials, regulators, and political staff across parties.

• Monitor, analyze, and influence federal policy, legislative, and regulatory developments, including budgets, legislation, regulations, and consultations relevant to Manulife’s operations in Canada and key global markets.

• Lead advocacy efforts on priority files, including preparing briefing materials, position papers, submissions, and recommendations for senior leadership.

• Advise executives and business leaders on political risk, policy trends, and emerging issues, translating complex policy developments into clear business implications.

• Coordinate closely with internal stakeholders, including legal, compliance, communications, marketing, and business units to ensure consistent and integrated advocacy and messaging.

• Collaborate with industry associations, coalitions, and external partners to advance shared objectives while protecting the company’s distinct interests.

• Support government engagement activities, including meetings, roundtables, events, and site visits, and represent the company at external forums when appropriate.

• Contribute to crisis and issues management, providing timely government relations insight during sensitive or high-profile situations.

Required Qualifications:

• The successful candidate must reside in Ottawa, Ontario

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in a similar position working in business, government or advocacy work

• Experience working with the Canadian Government at the Federal level

• Excellent verbal and written communication, editing skills and the ability to communicate complex issues into plain language.

• Travel within in Canada will be required.

• Superior relationship and networking skills to build and maintain the strong network of internal and external supporters required for success in this role.

• Flexibility and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, with hard deadlines and competing, high-profile priorities.

• A demonstrated history of planning and leading initiatives and coordinating across cross functional teams to drive successful outcomes.

• Knowledge of the financial services, and/or insurance industries, and related public policy, political and media issues.

• Strong team focus. Ability to work closely and cooperatively with teammates. A positive, professional and collaborative personality, a thirst to learn and a passion for improvement.

• Demonstrated understanding of the Canadian healthcare system, including governance and delivery, and health sector issues and opportunities is an asset.

• Flexibility and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, with hard deadlines and competing, high-profile priorities.

• Relationship skills for building and maintaining professional interactions with internal clients, senior management, and external parties.

• Knowledge of the financial services, and/or insurance industries, and related public policy, political and media issues is an asset.

• Strong team focus. Ability to work closely and cooperatively with teammates. A positive, professional and collaborative personality, with a thirst to learn and a passion for improvement.

• Own Manulife’s relationship with government and regulators in the province of Quebec and undertake efforts to build Manulife’s reputation and business in the province.

• Assist Manulife’s Canadian businesses understand government and regulatory positions and initiatives to help shape business priorities and strategies.

• Represent Manulife and speak publicly and privately on the company’s behalf on topics of public policy and regulations that impact our business and our customers.

• Build relations and collaborate across industry groups, trade associations and civil society with a particular focus on Ottawa and Quebec.

• Support our global business ambitions by building relationships and exploring collaborations with Canadian based stakeholders, including provincial and federal officials, foreign embassies and consulates, academics and NGOs interested in international trade and relations in markets where Manulife has a presence.

• Be a key contributor in the company’s risk management framework by bringing perspectives on governments and public policy to assist with managing reputational risks and helping to navigate complex political, regulatory and public policy issues.

• Research and prepare internal and external reports, briefings, submissions and papers on a variety of regulatory or public policy topics.

• Create opportunities and execute strategies and events that profile the value Manulife delivers to our customers and communities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingualism - proficiency in French and English

• Bachelors degree in public policy, political science, business or a related field.

• Experience working in a regulated industry

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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À propos de Manuvie et de John Hancock

La Société Financière Manuvie est un chef de file mondial des services financiers qui aide les gens à prendre leurs décisions plus facilement et à vivre mieux. Pour en apprendre plus à notre sujet, rendez vous à l’adresse www.manuvie.com.

Manuvie est un employeur qui souscrit au principe de l’égalité d’accès à l’emploi

Chez Manulife/John Hancock nous valorisons notre diversité. Nous nous efforçons d’attirer, de perfectionner et de maintenir une main d'oeuvre qui est aussi diversifiée que nos clients, et de favoriser la création d’un milieu de travail inclusif qui met à profit la diversité de nos employés et les compétences de chacun. Nous nous engageons à assurer un recrutement, une fidélisation, une promotion et une rémunération équitables, et nous administrons toutes nos pratiques et tous nos programmes sans discrimination en raison de la race, de l’ascendance, du lieu d’origine, de la couleur, de l’origine ethnique, de la citoyenneté, de la religion ou des croyances ou des convictions religieuses, du genre (y compris grossesse et affection liée à une grossesse), de l’orientation sexuelle, des caractéristiques génétiques, du statut d’ancien combattant, de l’identité de genre, de l’expression de genre, de l’âge, de l’état matrimonial, de la situation de famille, d’une invalidité ou de tout autre motif protégé par la loi applicable.

Nous nous sommes donné comme priorité d’éliminer les obstacles à l’accès égalitaire à l’emploi. C’est pourquoi un représentant des Ressources humaines collaborera avec les candidats qui demandent accommodement raisonnable pendant le recrutement. Tous les renseignements communiqués pendant le processus de demande d'accommodement seront stockés et utilisés conformément aux lois et aux politiques applicables de Manuvie. Pour demander une mesure d’accommodement raisonnable dans le cadre du recrutement, écrivez à hr@manulife.com.

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Les employés ont également la possibilité de participer à des programmes incitatifs et de recevoir une rémunération liée à la performance de l’entreprise et des individus. Le salaire réel variera selon les conditions du marché local, la région géographique et les facteurs propres au poste, tels que les connaissances, les compétences, les qualifications, l’expérience et la formation. Si vous postulez à ce poste en dehors de votre lieu principal, veuillez contacter hr@manulife.com pour connaître la fourchette salariale applicable à votre région.

Manuvie offre aux employés admissibles une vaste gamme d’avantages sociaux personnalisables, notamment une assurance soins médicaux, soins dentaires, santé mentale, soins de la vue, invalidité de courte et de longue durée, assurance vie et assurance DMA, assurance adoption, de maternité de substitution et de soins médicaux non urgents ainsi que des programmes d’aide aux employés et leur famille. Nous proposons également aux employés admissibles différents régimes d’épargne-retraite (y compris des régimes de rente et un programme international d’actionnariat assortie de cotisations patronales de contrepartie) ainsi que des ressources en matière d’éducation et de conseils financiers. Notre généreux programme de congés rémunérés au Canada comprend les jours fériés, les congés annuels, les congés personnels et les congés de maladie, et nous offrons toute la gamme des congés autorisés prévus par la loi. Si vous posez votre candidature à ce poste aux États-Unis, veuillez écrire à hr@manulife.com pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements sur les dispositions relatives aux congés rémunérés spécifiques aux États-Unis.