Manulife Financial Corporation

Lead Technical Program Manager (Director level, individual contributor)

Manulife Financial Corporation$127K — $236K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience in technology program delivery within insurance or regulated industries.
  • 5+ years managing large, multi-year technology initiatives across varied teams and stakeholders.
  • 5+ years of experience in life insurance technology, focusing on product development and actuarial functions preferred.
  • Prior experience in software engineering, systems analysis, or engineering leadership is strongly preferred.
  • Experience leading modernization efforts in technology stacks and architectures.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee the entire lifecycle of initiatives from initiation to evaluation.
  • Ensure delivery of technology services meets defined scope, budget, and schedule.
  • Utilize technical expertise to implement effective software strategies.
  • Lead cross-functional teams to align product architecture and IT services.
  • Identify and mitigate technical risks impacting projects.
  • Collaborate with Business Initiative leads to build and manage project milestones and goals.
  • Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within the team.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for career growth and development.
  • Supportive and flexible work environment emphasizing well-being and inclusion.
  • Global team collaboration empowering individual influence on future strategies.
Full Job Description
The Lead (Director level) Technical Program Manager (TPM) will be the lead point of contact on assigned initiatives that require delivery of end-to-end technology solutions. The TPM will work closely with the business initiative owner to align the technology services and capacity needed to deliver on the technology commitments. TPMs will work with the business to understand program requirements, manage different phases of development and testing plans, and ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Office location: Boston - USA, Toronto - Canada, Waterloo - Canada.

Work arrangement: Hybrid - 3 days in office, 2 days from home; Remote option is not available.

Position Responsibilities:

Initiative management: Overseeing the entire lifecycle of an initiative including initiating programs, driving delivery, and providing support when issues arise

Initiative Delivery: Responsible and accountable for ensuring all aspects of delivery of technology services including Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring/Controlling, Closure, and Post initiative evaluation activities to deliver on scope, budget, and schedule for technology commitments.

Technical expertise: Using their background in understanding software engineering and technology to implement technology strategies and ensure effective software

delivery

Cross-functional leadership: Providing cross-functional leadership and building alignment for efforts such as product architecture and synchronizing the ask with the IT organization service areas to deliver services. Technical risk management: Identifying and mitigating technical risks that could impact project success

Value Creation: works closely with Business Initiative lead to build schedule, milestones, goals, and scope by aligning and incorporating technology aspects from components, solutions, feasibility and delivery.

People & Culture: Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, while actively driving alignment and productivity for aligned Team

Technical and Architectural Depth
  • Strong foundation in software engineering, systems engineering, solution architecture, or technical product leadership, with the ability to review and challenge system designs, APIs, integrations, data flows, deployment models, test strategies, and non-functional requirements.
  • Deep understanding of enterprise architecture, platform modernization, cloud adoption, security, data, DevSecOps, observability, operational resilience, and architectural trade-offs across legacy and modern technology stacks.
  • Strong knowledge of current-state technologies, including .NET Framework, VB.NET, C#, WinForms, ASP.NET Web Forms, IIS, SQL Server, ETL, batch processing, reporting, legacy calculation engines, document generation, and point-to-point integrations.
  • Strong knowledge of target-state technologies and patterns, including modern .NET, ASP.NET Core, RESTful APIs, modular monoliths, microservices, event-driven architecture, React, Angular, TypeScript, relational and NoSQL platforms, containers, orchestration, Python, automation, and AI-assisted engineering.
  • Ability to engage credibly with architects, engineering leads, developers, quality engineers, infrastructure teams, security partners, vendors, and senior leaders to guide migration strategies that balance business outcomes, risk, cost, maintainability, performance, and delivery timelines.


Life Insurance and Illustration Domain Knowledge
  • Deep understanding of life insurance product structures and calculation drivers across Term, Whole Life, Universal Life, Indexed Universal Life, and Variable Universal Life, including premiums, charges, interest or crediting assumptions, guarantees, loans, withdrawals, cash values, riders, and regulatory illustration requirements.
  • Knowledge of insurance illustration engines, including inputs, assumptions, product rules, calculations, ledger generation, scenario management, disclosures, output generation, and reproducibility.
  • Understanding of producer point-of-sale and quote-to-submission workflows, including integrations with product and rate sources, CRM or portals, e-signature, case management, new business, underwriting, and policy administration.
  • Experience partnering with Product, Actuarial, Compliance, Legal, Distribution, Operations, and Technology to translate product and regulatory changes into traceable technology outcomes.
  • Knowledge of controls and evidence required for calculation validation, illustration compliance, releases, assumption changes, effective dating, and auditability.


Leadership and Program Management Skills
  • Demonstrated ability to lead large initiatives and multiple interdependent workstreams across teams, platforms, vendors, and organizational boundaries.
  • Strong strategic thinking, structured problem solving, judgment, negotiation, facilitation, conflict resolution, and executive communication.
  • Ability to influence and drive execution without direct management authority.
  • Ability to create clarity in ambiguous situations, frame options and recommendations, and drive timely decisions.
  • Experience managing scope, schedule, budget, capacity, dependencies, risks, quality, release readiness, and value realization using appropriate delivery methodologies.
  • Ability to communicate technical vision, modernization strategy, delivery confidence, business impact, and risk to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • People leadership experience or demonstrated capability to coach, mentor, align, and motivate cross-functional teams.


Required Qualifications:
  • 8+ years of progressive experience delivering complex technology programs in insurance, financial services, or another highly regulated industry.
  • 5+ years leading large, multi-year, cross-platform technology initiatives involving multiple engineering teams, business functions, vendors, and senior stakeholders.
  • 5+ years of life insurance technology experience strongly preferred, with direct exposure to product development, actuarial or calculation capabilities, illustrations, point-of-sale, new business, underwriting, policy administration, or related distribution platforms.
  • Prior experience in software engineering, solution architecture, systems analysis, technical product ownership, engineering leadership, or another technically intensive role strongly preferred.
  • Experience leading modernization involving one or more of the following: VB.NET to C#, .NET Framework to modern .NET, desktop to web, monolithic to API-driven architectures, on-premises to cloud-enabled environments, or replacement of legacy and end-of-life components.
  • Proven delivery experience across large application ecosystems consisting of desktop, web, services, APIs, databases, batch, reporting, document generation, and external integrations.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, software engineering, information systems, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Experience implementing or governing modern engineering practices, including CI/CD, automated testing, DevSecOps, observability, infrastructure automation, and AI-assisted software delivery.
  • Experience with test governance for calculation engines, including actuarial validation, parallel testing, defect triage, regression evidence, and formal sign-off.
  • Experience leading regulated releases involving product, rate, assumption, disclosure, or effective-date changes while coordinating technology and business readiness.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, documentation, relationship-management, and executive stakeholder skills.
  • Highly adaptable, resilient, and effective in a dynamic environment with competing short-term commitments and long-term transformation objectives.


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-JH

The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

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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