The Director, Strategic Programs & Portfolio Management plays a critical leadership role in driving Canada Operations' strategic transformation agenda. Reporting to the AVP, Operations Excellence, this position leads governance, financial management, and execution oversight of a portfolio of strategic investments that support business growth, operational efficiency, and customer experience improvements. This role partners closely with senior leaders across Operations, Technology, and Finance to ensure initiatives are aligned with business priorities, supported by sound financial analysis, and deliver measurable business outcomes. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence enterprise-wide transformation initiatives while shaping portfolio management practices and strategic decision-making.
Position Responsibilities- Lead governance and oversight of the Canada Operations strategic initiative portfolio.
- Establish portfolio management practices that provide transparency into investment performance, risks, dependencies, and outcomes.
- Partner with Operations and Technology leaders to prioritize investments based on strategic value, financial impact, customer experience improvements, and organizational capacity.
- Own the development, review, challenge, and governance of business cases across Canada Operations.
- Ensure business cases are supported by robust financial analysis, operational assumptions, implementation plans, and clearly defined benefits.
- Lead executive reviews and challenge sessions to validate assumptions, risks, and expected outcomes.
- Manage financial oversight of strategic investments, including budgets, forecasts, funding approvals, and portfolio spend tracking.
- Provide consolidated portfolio financial reporting and strategic insights to executive leadership.
- Support annual planning activities, strategic funding requests, and forecasting exercises.
- Monitor and report on ROI, productivity gains, risk reduction, customer outcomes, and benefits realization.
- Develop executive-ready reporting materials for leadership teams, Finance, and Governance Committees.
- Lead portfolio review meetings and governance forums while translating complex data into actionable recommendations.
Required Qualifications- 8-12+ years of project, program, portfolio management, or transformation leadership experience.
- Proven experience leading large-scale, cross-functional business transformation programs.
- Experience within insurance, financial services, or other highly regulated industries.
- Demonstrated expertise managing scope, schedule, budget, resources, risks, and stakeholder communications across complex initiatives.
- Strong financial acumen, including business case development, investment analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and benefits realization.
- Experience preparing executive-level presentations, governance materials, and strategic recommendations.
- Exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Operations, Engineering, or a related discipline.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience leading enterprise portfolio management or strategic investment portfolios.
- PMP, PgMP, MSP, Lean Six Sigma, or equivalent certification.
- Experience supporting executive governance committees and funding approval processes.
- Strong understanding of operational transformation, process improvement, and change management methodologies.
- MBA or advanced business-related degree.
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 LocationToronto, Ontario
Working ArrangementHybrid
Salary range is expected to be between$145,130.00 CAD - $195,130.00 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.
