Manulife Financial Corporation

Director, Forward Deployed Organization Architect

Manulife Financial Corporation$113K — $210K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in workforce transformation or organization design
  • Proven track record of redesigning work processes across different teams
  • Experience in moving strategic solutions into pilots and scaled implementations
  • Strong understanding of large organizational systems and human behavior
  • Excellent skills in narrative building; capable of simplifying complex information for executive decision-making
  • Comfortable with continuous learning and operating in ambiguous environments
  • Fluency in applied AI, data analytics, and scenario modeling for workforce design decisions

Responsibilities

  • Assess current workflows and align them with enterprise priorities
  • Design human + AI work models to enhance business performance
  • Translate redesigned work into practical operating models including roles and decision rights
  • Lead pilots measuring impacts and fostering adoption at scale
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovative change
  • Support a team-oriented atmosphere promoting new working methods

Benefits

  • Customizable benefits including health, dental, and mental health support
  • Retirement savings plans with employer contributions available
  • Generous paid time off including holidays and personal leave
  • Employee assistance programs to help with well-being and work-life balance
Full Job Description
The Opportunity

Forward Deployed Org Architects design, pilot, and scale new ways of working for a human-centered, AI-powered organization. Embedded within priority business areas, the role assesses current workflows, identifies where AI can automate, augment, or transform work, and translates those insights into future-state designs across workflows, roles, skills, decision rights, operating models, and workforce transition plans.

Working across business, AI strategy, risk, data, People Partners, Talent CoE teams, and change partners, this role tests new models, measures impact and creates repeatable systems to help Manulife scale proven human-AI ways of working.

How You Will Lead
  • Embed within business teams to understand how work creates value to identify priorities.
  • Balance innovative thinking with practical judgment, helping leaders decide where to automate, augment, redesign, or simplify.
  • Map existing systems, understand the trade-offs, and make informed decisions
  • Design with adoption in mind, balancing the power and potential of AI with human-centered design principles and sustainable work experiences
  • Lead with an experimentation mindset, using evidence, feedback, and learning loops to improve decisions and outcomes.
  • Bring an AI power-user mindset and practical curiosity, without chasing trends or over-engineering solutions.


Position Responsibilities:
  • Assess current workflows, systems, and alignment to enterprise priorities.
  • Identify and design human + AI work models that improve business outcomes, colleague experience, customer impact, speed, quality, cost, or risk
  • Translate redesigned work into practical operating model choices, including human + AI role archetypes, accountabilities, decision rights, skill needs, capacity implications, and workforce transition plans
  • Design and lead pilots that measure impact, build adoption, and create repeatable patterns for scale.
  • Collaborate across business functions, AI, technology, risk, data, People Partners, Talent CoE teams, and change partners
  • Support an innovative, team-oriented environment that builds capability and reinforces new ways of working across Manulife.


Required Qualifications:
  • Experience leading workforce transformation, organization design, operating model design, or AI-enabled work redesign.
  • Demonstrated success redesigning work across functions, processes, roles, or teams.
  • Experience advising executives and moving solutions from strategy and design into pilots, adoption, and scaled implementation.
  • Strong understanding of organizational systems and human behavior in large organizations
  • Strong narrative-building skills; ability to translate complex information into clear, meaningful, executive-ready recommendations
  • Comfort with continuous learning, experimentation, and building clarity in ambiguous environments.
  • Required Applied AI Fluency: Ability to leverage data, analytics, AI-powered tools, and scenario modeling to inform workforce and operating model design decisions.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in financial services, insurance, banking, wealth, or asset management
  • Experience facilitating executive workshops in large, complex organizations.
  • Experience with responsible AI, risk, controls, governance, regulatory environments, or enterprise compliance.
  • Experience with strategic or skills-based workforce planning, job and skills architecture, talent intelligence, or human performance architecture
  • Experience in consulting, business architecture, service design, product operating models, agile delivery, or enterprise AI transformation.


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.


The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

Referenced Salary Location
Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between
$113,260.00 CAD - $210,340.00 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 [redacted] 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 [redacted] 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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