Director, GB - IT Strategy & Planning

The Director, GB - IT Strategy & Planning, will lead a team to develop, drive, and support technology strategies that enable Manulife’s Group Benefits to deliver innovative digital experiences to our Group Benefits customers and drive efficiencies and effectiveness. The successful candidate will help define the implementation of the Group Benefits technology strategy.

This role will need to collaborate with the Group Benefits Product Partners and the Directors of Engineering to act as a key senior technology partner to develop and implement the right technology solutions to drive the business. As a member of the Manulife Group Benefits Technology Team, the candidate is accountable for aligning the technology strategy, plans, and implementation of solutions so that it is consistent with delivery of Group Benefits business goals. This role is passionate about both building and maintaining our technology assets that support our Group Benefits digital growth strategy.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Technology Development: Partner to define, then deliver, implement and maintain the Group Benefits technology strategy to drive Manulife Group Benefits business goals - both strategic and operational - with a key focus on simplification and modernization.

Identify and Exploit Internal Best Practices: As a catalyst for change, maintain relationships throughout Manulife with a view to identifying technical practices that can be adapted to the advantage of Manulife Group Benefits technology.

Leadership: Provides leadership and direction in developing a team of highly engaged, geographically diverse, Technology professionals, and empowers them to enable the development, delivery, and operation of a premier technology strategy.

Operations and Compliance: Coordinates all aspects of technology for the Group Benefits unit. Responsible for the delivery of a stable and reliable set of technology solutions. This includes modernization of platforms as required. The various components and applications of the platform must be compliant within the regulatory framework for each of the applicable business functions.

Partner closely with key risk customers within the Group Benefits to coordinate work effort to ensure solutions meet industry risk practices. Customers include operations risk, credit risk, Canadian Information Risk Management (CIRM), Global Information Risk Management (GIRM) and Operational Risk Management.

Financial Management: Establishes operating and investment budgets within the respective work area consistent with short and long-term Group Benefits financial goals. Monitors spending and facilitates adjustments to plan to ensure financial targets are met.

Job Requirements:

· Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, management of information systems or equivalent an asset.

· Minimum of 3-5 years of technology strategy execution experience for large scale organizations.

· Demonstrated ability to develop and implement a technology strategy and tactics to drive business goals, in collaboration with external and internal partners.

· Exceptional communications judgement and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels with both technical and non-technical customers --- translate complex technical issues into fundamental concepts

· Confident presentation and facilitation skills and strong interpersonal and leadership skills to facilitate working with management.

· Strong analytical skills and ability to deliver actionable recommendations based on analysis. Ability to translate analyses, using mediums to drive comprehensible recommendations (e.g., dashboards, graphics, summaries, etc.).

What can we offer you?

• A competitive salary and benefits packages.
• A growth trajectory that extends upward and outward, encouraging you to follow your passions and learn new skills.
• A focus on growing your career path with us.
• Flexible work policies and strong work-life balance.
• Professional development and leadership opportunities.

Our commitment to you

• Values-first culture
  We lead with our Values every day and bring them to life together.
• Boundless opportunity
  We create opportunities to learn and grow at every stage of your career.
• Continuous innovation
  We invite you to help redefine the future of financial services.
• Delivering the promise of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  We foster an inclusive workplace where everyone thrives.
• Championing Corporate Citizenship
  We build a business that benefits all partners and has a positive social and environmental impact.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact recruitment@manulife.com.

Salary range is expected to be between

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact recruitment@manulife.com for the salary range for your location. 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. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

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 recruitment@manulife.com for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.