Manulife Financial Corporation

Manager, Strategy – Canada Strategy & Transformation

Manulife Financial Corporation$103K — $153K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5–8 years of experience in strategy, management consulting, corporate development, or related field.
  • Undergraduate degree required; MBA or advanced degree is a plus.
  • Experience in financial services, insurance, or regulated industry preferred.
  • Understanding of Manulife’s core businesses (e.g., Life insurance, group benefits).
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and storytelling abilities.
  • Proficiency in MS Office required; skills in financial modeling, SQL, Python, PowerBI are desired.
  • Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.

Responsibilities

  • Frame complex business problems and develop structured recommendations for senior leaders.
  • Translate quantitative analysis into actionable business recommendations.
  • Drive development and execution of strategic plans for Canadian Leadership Team.
  • Own end-to-end workstreams, including planning, coordination, and tracking.
  • Track progress and escalate insights on risks and issues.
  • Lead delivery rituals and implement continuous improvements in team processes.
  • Partner with stakeholders to drive alignment and execution of strategic priorities.

Benefits

  • Flexible work environment that supports well-being and inclusion.
  • Opportunities for career growth and professional development.
  • Wide array of customizable health benefits including dental and mental health support.
  • Retirement savings plans with employer matching contributions.
  • Generous paid time off, including holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days.
Full Job Description

Join the high impact Canada Strategy & Transformation (CS&T) team at the forefront of Manulife Canada’s evolution. We partner closely with senior executives to shape strategic direction, drive large scale transformation, and translate ambition into action - ensuring alignment across Business Units, Canada Segment and Enterprise priorities.

As Manulife Canada undergoes a significant transformation, the team plays a pivotal role in defining the strategic agenda, unlocking cross‑functional value, and advancing segment‑level initiatives across growth, customer experience, digital, and operating model evolution.

In this role you will operate as a trusted thought partner and delivery leader, working across functions to define priorities, solve complex problems, and execute against key strategic initiatives. You will have exposure to enterprise-level decisions-making and play a meaningful role in driving change across the organization.

This is a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of strategy and execution - frame complex business problems, synthesize insights-based solutions, manage discrete workstreams, and drive disciplined execution to enable alignment among senior stakeholders. This role is designed to drive meaningful business impact while accelerating your long-term professional growth.

Position Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Problem Solving

  • Frame complex, ambiguous business problems and develop structured, insight‑led recommendations to support senior leadership decision‑making

  • Translate qualitative and quantitative analysis into actionable recommendations that support enterprise‑ and segment‑level priorities, highlighting trade‑offs and implications for the business

  • Drive the development and implementation of strategic plans, providing hands‑on support for the Canadian Leadership Team (CDLT) and management forums, including preparation of materials, analysis, and executive narratives


Strategy Initiatives & Execution

  • Own end‑to‑end workstreams, including scope definition, integrated planning & roadmaps, cross‑functional coordination, progress tracking and benefits realization

  • Track progress, risks, and issues across assigned initiatives, escalating insights and challenges as appropriate to Directors or AVPs with clear mitigation strategies

  • Lead delivery rituals (e.g., stand‑ups, retrospectives) and implement continuous improvements in ways‑of‑working

  • Support portfolio‑level visibility by connecting initiatives, identifying dependencies, and highlighting execution risks


Stakeholder Engagement & Influence

  • Partner with cross‑functional stakeholders (e.g., business units, finance, technology, and other corporate functions) to drive alignment, influence decisions, and enable execution of strategic priorities

  • Act as a day‑to‑day thought partner for initiative owners, bringing analytical rigor and structured problem solving to discussions.

  • Negotiate trade‑offs and document decisions to ensure clarity, alignment, and forward momentum


Team Leadership

  • Review output from and coach junior team members, maintaining high quality standards across deliverables and contributing to skill development and team effectiveness

  • Foster a collaborative, high‑performance team culture

Required Qualifications:

  • 5–8 years of progressive experience in strategy, management consulting, corporate development, or a related field.

  • Undergraduate degree required; MBA or advanced degree is an asset.

  • Experience in financial services, insurance, or a regulated industry preferred.

  • Understanding of at least one of Manulife’s core businesses (i.e., Life insurance, group benefits, individual insurance, retail banking)

  • Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complexity into clear recommendations.

  • Proficiency with MS Office suite required; financial modeling, SQL, Python, PowerBI skills desired

  • Proven ability to operate effectively in fast‑paced, ambiguous environments and manage multiple priorities

  • Bilingualism (English and French) is a strong 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.

The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

Referenced Salary Location

Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$103,270.00 CAD - $153,270.00 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.

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 .

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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