The Strategic Initiatives Lead drives high-priority Sales Enablement and Effectiveness programs at Manulife Bank, translating strategy into actionable plans that deliver measurable business impact. Acting as an internal consultant, this role partners across Sales, Marketing, Product, Risk, Operations, and Technology to ensure initiatives are executed with strong governance and regulatory alignment. Operating at the intersection of strategy, operations, and change management, the role accelerates adoption, productivity, and performance. This is a high-visibility opportunity to influence enterprise priorities, establish scalable frameworks, and enhance advisor experience and client-centric growth.
Position Responsibilities
Lead end-to-end planning, execution, and governance of complex initiatives, translating strategy into structured work plans, milestones, and agile delivery, and owning detailed project execution including timelines, dependency tracking, risk/issue management, and stakeholder coordination
Drive cross-functional alignment across Sales, Marketing, Product, Risk, Operations, and Technology; facilitate working sessions, ensure clear ownership of deliverables, and support timely decision-making
Manage governance and reporting, including dashboards, risk logs, and benefit tracking to ensure transparency, accountability, and executive visibility
Ensure effective stakeholder communication by providing regular project status updates, aligning on priorities, and proactively managing expectations throughout the project lifecycle
Lead day-to-day execution cadence (e.g., status meetings, check-ins), tracking progress against milestones and proactively addressing risks, issues, and blockers
Partner with Change and Field Enablement teams to support adoption, stakeholder engagement, and communication planning
Identify process improvements and lead continuous enhancement through workflow optimization and post-implementation reviews.
Support enterprise transformation initiatives, participate in governance forums, and champion transparency, collaboration, and accountability
Determine delivery sequencing, recommend resourcing priorities, approve program documentation, and escalate risks as needed
Required Qualifications
2+ years in program management, consulting, or business transformation
Proven experience managing enterprise-scale, cross-functional initiatives
Demonstrated ability to manage end-to-end project delivery, including planning, execution, dependency management, risk mitigation, and stakeholder coordination
Strong knowledge of financial services and regulatory environments
Proficiency with Salesforce, Smartsheet, Power Automate Flows, JIRA, and reporting tools (Power BI preferred)
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with structured solution development
Excellent facilitation, presentation, and executive communication skills
Advanced stakeholder management and ability to influence without authority
Experience with agile or hybrid delivery frameworks, including managing project timelines and deliverables in dynamic environments
Strong written communication and documentation skills
High level of judgment, organization, and self-direction
Preferred Qualifications
PMP or Agile certification
Power Automate experience
PROSCI/ADKAR certification
Bilingual (English/French)
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.
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 [email protected].
Referenced Salary Location
Waterloo, Ontario
Hybrid
Salary range is expected to be between
$70,500.00 CAD - $117,500.00 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 [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.
