The Assistant Vice President (AVP), Digital Delivery will oversee the delivery roadmap, intake, and execution of new capabilities, while optimizing the advisor buying journey within the Individual Insurance business. This role is responsible for managing the portfolio of projects, balancing business needs with execution priorities, and driving the delivery of key initiatives to achieve strategic business outcomes. The AVP will work closely with cross-functional teams, including operations, technology, product, and advisor experience, to ensure that the portfolio is effectively prioritized and delivers value against key objectives and results. The ideal candidate will be highly experienced in Agile methodology, specifically Scrum, and will lead product owners to ensure efficient and effective delivery in each squad.

Position Responsibilities:

Delivery Roadmap Ownership : Create and manage a delivery roadmap for new capabilities and optimizations, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and enhancing the financial advisor experience, while regularly updating it to meet changing business needs and market dynamics.Portfolio Planning and Prioritization : Oversee a portfolio of projects across business units, prioritizing with stakeholders for maximum impact, collaborating with business stakeholders, product owners, technology and cross-functional teams to align and deliver key capabilities, and continuously optimizing based on market feedback.Capability Optimization and Continuous Improvement : Enhance the advisor buying journey by optimizing capabilities for performance, usability, and satisfaction. Work with the advisor experience team to prioritize improvements, ensuring alignment with business objectives for better outcomes.Backlog Management and Prioritization : Manage and prioritize the backlog for capability development and enhancement, collaborating with business and tech teams to ensure critical projects are prioritized, and squads focus on high-value, strategic work.Performance Monitoring and Accountability : Monitor and report on project performance, including timelines, budgets, and deliverables. Use metrics like tNPS and advisor feedback to assess platform health and guide optimization and future prioritization. Regularly update senior leadership and stakeholders on portfolio status and risks.Cross-Functional Collaboration and Squad Leadership (Scrum) : Lead cross-functional squads using Agile Scrum to ensure alignment and efficiency in meeting roadmap commitments, acting as a Scrum Master when needed to facilitate processes. Foster squad autonomy and continuous feedback while maintaining alignment with the overall delivery strategy. Encourage continuous feedback and iteration, leveraging Agile principles to drive improvement.Risk Management and Issue Resolution : Identify and mitigate delivery risks proactively, and serve as the escalation point for resolving critical issues affecting portfolio performance or timelines.Stakeholder Management : Cultivate strong relationships with senior leadership and stakeholders to ensure portfolio alignment and value, while regularly updating them on progress, risks, and strategic decisions.Resource and Financial Management : Oversee product owner resource allocation across the portfolio, ensuring that teams are properly staffed and supported to meet delivery objectives. Manage portfolio financials, including budgeting, forecasting, and monitoring actual spend to ensure efficient use of resources and alignment with business plans.

 Required Qualifications:

Proven experience in portfolio or program management, particularly within financial services or a related industry.Bachelor’s degree in Business, Project Management, or a related field (MBA preferred).Agile certifications such as Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) are highly desirable.Strong understanding of Agile methodologies with specific expertise in Scrum, including experience as a Scrum master or working closely with Scrum teams.Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage a portfolio of complex projects, balancing strategic goals with execution excellence, working across the matrix.Experience working closely with technology teams and understanding technical project dependencies.

Preferred Qualifications:

Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage senior leaders and cross-functional teams. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of driving continuous improvement and delivering results.

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-Hybrid

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.

Primary Location

Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$123,400.00 CAD - $229,300.00 CAD

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.