Manulife Financial Corporation

VP, Group Benefits & Affinity Marketing

Manulife Financial Corporation$150K — $180K *
Finance & Insurance
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years in marketing leadership within Group Benefits or Group Insurance in Canada; Affinity or partnership marketing experience is a plus.
  • 10+ years managing large marketing teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
  • Proven record in driving growth through integrated marketing strategies across B2B and partnership channels.
  • Deep understanding of advisor distribution models and partner-led marketing approaches.
  • Exceptional strategic thinking, storytelling, and executive communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Define and execute a multi-year marketing strategy for Group Benefits and Affinity products.
  • Set the vision for transforming benefits propositions into consumer-grade experiences.
  • Articulate the value of health platforms and insurance solutions in terms of affordability and customer confidence.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to align marketing strategies with business priorities.
  • Translate business goals into marketing priorities and measurable outcomes.
  • Lead market insights to shape targeting and messaging strategies for diverse customer segments.
  • Drive demand generation and client retention strategies to support business growth.

Benefits

  • Customizable health, dental, mental health, and vision coverage.
  • Short- and long-term disability and life insurance options.
  • Wellness benefits, including family assistance plans.
  • Retirement savings plans with employer matching contributions.
  • Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick days.
Full Job Description
Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

  • Define and execute a multi-year marketing strategy aligned with Manulife's Group Benefits and Affinity growth ambitions


  • Set and own the vision for evolving benefits and affinity propositions from transactional products into differentiated, consumer-grade experiences


  • Own the articulation of value beyond price-demonstrating how health platforms, partner-led engagement, care navigation, and relevant insurance solutions support affordability, productivity, resilience, and customer confidence.


  • Partner with Product, Digital, Data, Distribution, and Business leaders to align marketing strategy with platform, experience, partner, and growth priorities


  • Translate business objectives into clear marketing priorities, KPIs, and measurable outcomes, positioning Manulife as a market leader in employee benefits, wellbeing, and affinity-based insurance solutions


  • Act as a senior voice in shaping how customer experience, sponsor and advisor engagement, and long-term value creation are embedded across the organization.


Market & Customer Insight

  • Lead market, customer, member, sponsor, partner, and advisor insights to inform segmentation, targeting, and messaging


  • Understand the distinct needs of SME, mid-market, and large enterprise employers, as well as affinity partners, alumni groups, professional associations, sponsors, and end customers


  • Anticipate market trends including healthcare affordability, mental health needs, workforce demographics, inflation pressures, talent retention dynamics, direct-to-consumer insurance expectations, and sponsor-led distribution models


  • Partner with finance, underwriting, actuarial, and product teams to understand claims trends, affordability pressures, partner economics, and customer value drivers, ensuring marketing narratives align to real business and sponsor economics.


Brand & Value Proposition

  • Evolve and differentiate Manulife's Group Benefits and Affinity value propositions in competitive, relationship-led markets


  • Define and evolve the brand and value proposition to reflect a modern, care-oriented, consumer-grade health platform and relevant affinity-based insurance experience.


  • Develop compelling narratives that resonate with all key stakeholders including HR leaders, business owners, advisors, sponsors, affinity partners, and end customers


  • Balance trust, credibility, partner relevance, and innovation to strengthen brand preference and long-term loyalty.


  • Translate health outcomes, engagement metrics, partner performance, and member/customer experience improvements into compelling proof points for employers, advisors, sponsors, and affinity partners.


Demand Generation & Growth

  • Own demand generation strategy in support of new business acquisition and client retention


  • Lead the RFP function for Group Benefits and support differentiated partner proposals for Affinity, driving strong win rates through high-quality, commercially grounded submissions


  • Deliver integrated marketing programs that strengthen broker, advisor, sponsor, and partner engagement and grow share of wallet


  • Partner closely with sales, distribution, and partner management teams to align marketing programs with commercial priorities.


  • Optimize the full funnel, from awareness through activation, conversion, cross-sell, retention, and long-term value, using data-driven insights.


  • Drive retention and in-force growth by increasing perceived value, engagement, utilization, and customer confidence across existing clients, sponsors, partners, members, and policyholders.


Digital & Data-Driven Marketing

  • Lead the shift to always-on, journey-based marketing powered by digital platforms, automation, and data across both Group Benefits and Affinity.


  • Use personalization, experimentation, partner data, and performance analytics to deliver relevant, timely experiences at scale.


  • Partner with technology, analytics, legal, privacy, and compliance teams to unlock the value of customer and partner data while respecting privacy, consent, and regulatory expectations.


  • Establish clear measurement frameworks that link marketing activity to engagement, conversion, retention, partner performance, growth, and business impact.


Team Leadership

  • Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing marketing organization across Group Benefits and Affinity


  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, partner orientation, and customer-centricity


  • Attract, develop, and retain top marketing talent while creating clear ownership, prioritization, and decision rights across the portfolio


Qualifications & Experience

  • 15+ years of progressive marketing leadership experience within Group Benefits / Group Insurance in the Canadian market preferred; Affinity, sponsor-led distribution, or partnership marketing experience considered a strong asset


  • 10+ years of experience in leading large marketing teams and influencing cross-functional, senior, and partner stakeholders


  • Proven track record of driving growth through integrated marketing strategies (i.e., digital marketing, customer segmentation, lifecycle marketing, personalization, analytics) across B2B, B2B2C, advisor, sponsor, and partnership channels


  • Strong understanding of advisor/consultant distribution models, sponsor relationships, and partnership-based acquisition and retention models


  • Exceptional strategic thinking, storytelling, and executive communication skills


Key Leadership Competencies

  • Strategic Vision - Connects market opportunity to clear priorities and execution


  • Customer Focus - Understands the needs of employers, advisors, sponsors, partners, members, and customers


  • Commercial Acumen - Strong grasp of growth drivers, partner economics, retention dynamics, and performance levers


  • Influence & Leadership - Builds alignment across senior stakeholders


  • Change Leadership - Comfortable leading through complexity and evolution


The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary & Benefits

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 personal information collection statement.

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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