Manulife Financial Corporation

Director, Expense FP&A - Canada Segment

Manulife Financial Corporation$125K — $175K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of progressive Finance experience specializing in FP&A and business partnering.
  • Experience supporting large business units or segments within financial services or complex environments.
  • Proven influencer of senior leaders through financial insights and advisory.
  • Demonstrated ability in forecasting, planning, expense management, and performance reporting.
  • Strong history of driving process improvements and operational excellence.
  • Experience in managing and developing high-performing teams.
  • Undergraduate degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related field.

Responsibilities

  • Lead end-to-end expense FP&A for the Canada Segment, including forecasting and management reporting.
  • Serve as the primary finance partner for Canada Business Unit leaders across several functions.
  • Provide proactive financial insights to support strategic decisions and investment opportunities.
  • Enhance forecast accuracy through strong analysis and disciplined planning.
  • Collaborate with Business Unit leaders to optimize expenses and achieve financial targets.
  • Support executive discussions on growth initiatives and operating expense management.
  • Work closely with Finance teams to align planning and reporting activities.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for career growth and professional development.
  • Supportive and flexible work environment emphasizing well-being and inclusion.
  • Participation in global initiatives shaping the future of the company.
Full Job Description

Role Overview:

The Director, Expense FP&A - Canada Segment is a senior finance leader responsible for providing strategic financial leadership, advisory, and oversight across the Canada Segment. This role leads the FP&A function supporting Canada's major business units, including Retail Insurance, Group Benefits, Affinity, Bank, Wealth, and Shared Services, acting as the primary finance business partner to Canada Business Unit leadership teams.

The role is focused on enabling superior financial performance, forecast predictability, expense discipline, and decision support while helping business leaders balance growth, productivity, investment priorities, and affordability objectives. The successful candidate will build strong partnerships across the Canada Segment, leveraging data-driven insights to influence strategic decisions, optimize expenses, and support enterprise transformation initiatives.

Position Responsibilities:

Strategic FP&A Leadership & Business Partnership (≈50%)

  • Lead the end-to-end expense FP&A agenda for the Canada Segment, including forecasting, planning, risks and opportunities, management reporting, and executive presentations.

  • Serve as the primary finance business partner to Canada Business Unit leaders across Retail Insurance, Group Benefits, Affinity, Bank, Wealth, and other segment functions.

  • Provide proactive financial guidance, insights, and recommendations to support strategic, operational, and investment decisions.

  • Improve forecast accuracy, transparency, and predictability through strong financial analysis, business engagement, and disciplined planning processes.

  • Partner with Business Unit leadership teams to identify productivity opportunities, optimize expense performance, and support achievement of financial targets.

  • Support executive discussions related to growth initiatives, business cases, operating expense management, workforce planning, and investment prioritization.

  • Collaborate closely with Group Finance, Global Functions Finance, and other partners to ensure alignment across planning and reporting activities.

Expense Management, Governance & Decision Support (≈25%)

  • Provide financial oversight and challenge across Canada Segment operating expenses, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and affordability targets.

  • Lead expense reviews, variance analysis, and root-cause assessments to identify emerging risks and opportunities.

  • Support governance and approval processes for significant investments, productivity initiatives, organization changes, and business cases.

  • Ensure expenditures are managed in accordance with enterprise financial policies, governance standards, and control requirements.

  • Deliver timely and actionable insights to support business performance discussions and leadership decision-making.

Process Excellence, Automation & Transformation (≈15%)

  • Advance the FP&A agenda through process simplification, automation, and enhanced analytics.

  • Improve the efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness of planning, forecasting, and management reporting processes.

  • Leverage data, tools, and self-service reporting capabilities to provide enhanced business insights and decision support.

  • Support broader Finance Transformation initiatives and implement best practices to modernize FP&A capabilities.

Finance Leadership & Operating Model Excellence (≈10%)

  • Contribute to the evolution of the Expense FP&A operating model, driving consistency, accountability, and execution excellence across the finance organization.

  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior Finance leaders on expense management strategies, forecasting methodologies, and performance improvement opportunities.

  • Foster collaboration across Segment Finance, Corporate Functions, and Enterprise FP&A teams to drive aligned outcomes and insights.

People Leadership

  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of FP&A professionals, fostering a high-performance, collaborative, and inclusive culture.

  • Build organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, and continuous learning.

  • Establish clear accountability for results while supporting employee engagement, growth, and career progression.

Required Qualifications:

  • 10+ years of progressive Finance experience with deep expertise in FP&A, business partnering, and executive stakeholder management.

  • Experience supporting large business units, segments, or P&L organizations within financial services or similarly complex environments.

  • Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive business decisions through financial insights and trusted advisory relationships.

  • Demonstrated experience leading forecasting, planning, expense management, and performance reporting processes.

  • Strong track record of driving process improvement, transformation, and operational excellence initiatives.

  • Experience managing and developing high-performing teams.

  • Undergraduate degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field.

  • CPA, CFA, MBA, or equivalent professional designation preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Strategic mindset with the ability to connect financial performance, business strategy, growth objectives, and expense management.

  • Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to partner effectively with senior executives and business leaders.

  • Strong commercial acumen and ability to translate complex financial data into actionable business insights.

  • Excellent communication, executive presentation, and financial storytelling capabilities.

  • Proven ability to balance long-term strategic priorities with short-term operational execution.

  • High degree of judgment, accountability, and governance orientation.

  • Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with a passion for continuous improvement and modern FP&A practices.

  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and stakeholder requirements.

  • Bilingualism (English and French) is an asset. If the successful candidate is in Québec, proficiency in both languages will be required to support clients from various provinces outside of Quebec.

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

$125,100.00 CAD - $175,100.00 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 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 for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.

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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