Manulife Financial Corporation

AVP, Global Operations AI

Manulife Financial Corporation$129K — $241K *
Enterprise Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in product leadership or technology delivery, particularly in regulated industries.
  • Demonstrated history of delivering complex products/platforms with measurable outcomes.
  • Proficient in leading cross-functional teams and communicating with senior stakeholders.
  • Strong background in quantitative modeling and business case development.
  • Familiarity with modern AI solution patterns and production readiness.

Responsibilities

  • Own and evolve the Global Operations AI product roadmap, prioritizing and sequencing releases.
  • Establish success measures for AI initiatives and report progress to leadership.
  • Lead end-to-end delivery planning and execution for AI projects.
  • Drive production readiness reviews with key partners to ensure compliance and documentation.
  • Act as a point of escalation for delivery throughput issues, facilitating cross-functional resolutions.
  • Lead the transition to a reusable capability model for AI delivery.
  • Ensure alignment of solutions with Responsible AI and model risk expectations.
  • Identify and prioritize AI opportunities through structured analysis.
  • Develop data-driven business cases with Finance and Operations leaders.
  • Synthesize complex analyses into concise recommendations for executives.
  • Build and lead a high-performing team focused on delivery excellence.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for career growth and learning.
  • Supportive and flexible work environment emphasizing well-being and inclusion.
  • Access to customizable benefits including health, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Comprehensive retirement savings plans with employer matching.
  • Generous paid time off including vacation and sick days.
Full Job Description
Join Manulife's Global Operations AI team and help shape how we deliver AI-enabled outcomes at enterprise scale. As AVP, AI Products & Delivery, you will own the team's full mandate - AI strategy, transformation, target setting, product portfolio, and people strategy - serving as the central coordination point for Global Operations AI across 14 countries. You will set direction, ensure strategic AI investments are assessed for viability before scaling, and drive the delivery of reusable AI capabilities with predictable throughput and measurable impact.

Position Responsibilities:
  • Global AI Strategy & Transformation: Set and execute the Global Operations AI strategy across 14 countries, translating enterprise vision into operational priorities. Validate opportunities through structured pilots before scaling investments.
  • Target Setting & Benefit Realization: Own AI portfolio benefit targets, KPIs, and value realization, ensuring measurable operational impact and reporting progress to senior leadership and ELT.
  • Product & Portfolio Leadership: Lead the Global Operations AI roadmap, prioritizing initiatives and sequencing delivery across products and reusable capabilities.
  • People Strategy: Drive global AI reskilling and workforce transformation programs in partnership with HR, L&D, and business leaders, ensuring accountability and adoption.
  • Outcome Measurement: Define and track success metrics, including adoption, operational impact, efficiency gains, and reliability.
  • Delivery Execution: Lead end-to-end execution of AI initiatives, ensuring predictable delivery, timely issue resolution, and achievement of business outcomes.
  • Competitive Intelligence: Monitor AI trends, competitor activity, and regulatory developments, translating insights into strategic priorities for Operations.
  • Production Readiness: Ensure solutions meet technology, risk, governance, and deployment requirements before release.
  • Cross-Functional Escalation: Serve as the escalation point for delivery challenges, driving resolution and trade-off decisions across stakeholders.
  • Platform Reuse & Scaling: Advance reusable AI capabilities through shared components, templates, evaluation frameworks, and connectors.
  • Governance Alignment: Ensure adherence to Responsible AI, model risk, governance, and monitoring requirements.
  • Opportunity Identification & Prioritization: Identify, assess, and prioritize AI opportunities, building data-driven business cases with Finance and Operations leaders.
  • AI-First Operating Model: Champion AI-first ways of working by leveraging agentic AI and automation to enhance reporting, strategy development, and executive communications.
  • People Leadership: Build and lead a high-performing team focused on execution excellence, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.


Required Qualifications:
  • 10+ years of experience in product leadership, technology delivery, platform programs, and/or AI-enabled transformation, preferably in regulated industries.
  • Proven track record delivering complex products or platforms into production with measurable outcomes, including release planning and dependency management.
  • Experience operating at enterprise scale across multiple geographies or business units, including setting targets and holding accountability for benefit realization.
  • Strong ability to lead cross-functionally in matrixed environments and communicate clearly with senior stakeholders.
  • Strong experience in quantitative modeling, scenario analysis, and business case development.
  • Working knowledge of modern AI solution patterns (e.g., LLM-enabled assistants, intelligent document processing, agent-based workflows) and production readiness considerations.
  • Hands-on orientation with AI productivity tools and agentic workflows; personally comfortable using LLM-connected enterprise tools to accelerate strategy, reporting, and synthesis work.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience evolving operating models from project-based to product/platform delivery.
  • Familiarity with MLOps/LLMOps concepts, evaluation approaches, monitoring, and model governance practices.
  • Experience influencing people strategy, workforce transformation, or AI reskilling programs in a tech/operations context.
  • Demonstrated ability to validate strategic hypotheses through pilots and translate early wins into enterprise momentum.
  • Advanced degree or equivalent experience in engineering, computer science, data science, or business.


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.

Referenced Salary Location
Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between
$129,800.00 CAD - $241,200.00 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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.

About Manulife Financial Corporation

John Hancock's core retail products in the U.S. focus on providing financial solutions at every stage of our clients' lives. Our product suite includes life insurance, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care (LTC) insurance, and annuities. We distribute our products primarily through licensed financial advisors, and through John Hancock Financial Network, a national network of independent firms.

Manulife Financial Corporation Careers

Join the dynamic team at Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading global financial services group dedicated to helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With a presence in more than 20 countries, Manulife offers a diverse range of job opportunities that empower professional growth and innovation in the financial sector. Work You’ll Do At Manulife, every position contributes to our inclusive culture of diversity, leadership, and innovation. We are committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued and has the opportunity for personal and professional growth. Join us to be part of a company that values your skills and passion. Explore a Wealth of Opportunities Whether you're seeking your first internship or a seasoned professional aiming to advance your career, Manulife offers a spectrum of career paths ranging from finance and marketing to technology and customer service. Our job opportunities are designed to enhance your skills through robust training programs and hands-on experience in a supportive environment. Innovate with Us Drive transformation in the financial services industry with Manulife’s commitment to technology and innovation. Work alongside over 34,000 professionals globally, leveraging cutting-edge tools and processes that redefine how financial services are delivered. Be Part of a Great Team Manulife’s team-oriented approach ensures that everyone’s voice is heard and valued. Collaborate with talented professionals from diverse backgrounds to develop solutions that improve the lives of our customers. Enjoy the benefits of a global company that supports your ambitions with resources and opportunities to lead and innovate. Future-Proof Your Career Manulife supports your career journey with continuous learning and development opportunities. From leadership training to networking events, we provide the tools to succeed and the platforms to showcase your achievements. Our commitment to career growth ensures that your journey with us will be rewarding and impactful. Stay Connected Join Our Team Discover the range of job opportunities at Manulife by exploring open positions that match your skills and interests. We are always on the lookout for curious, driven, and innovative team players who are ready to make a difference. Keep Up to Date Stay informed with the latest company news, career tips, and industry insights—all from the people who work here. Manulife is dedicated to providing you with the resources to thrive in your career. Job Alert Emails Customize your experience by subscribing to receive job alerts and insider information tailored to your preferences. Learn about exciting and rewarding opportunities as they arise and how you can be a part of our transformative team. Join Manulife Financial Corporation today and be part of a leading company where your career is as rewarding as it is impactful. Explore how far your talents can take you in an environment built on respect, integrity, and a desire to achieve the best outcomes for our clients and our team.
Learn more about Manulife Financial Corporation
Size
38,000 employees
Market Cap
$33.4 billion
Industry
Founded
1887
5 Year Trend
+1%
NASDAQ

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