Director, Global Recognition

This role leads the execution of the global recognition strategy to enhance talent management culture and employee engagement. Key responsibilities include managing and innovating recognition programs analyzing data for continuous improvement and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. The role will oversee program execution strategic planning and budgeting while providing transparent reporting to leadership. This role requires demonstrated success in mentoring team members fostering a highperformance culture managing stakeholder relationships and negotiating with external vendors. Strong leadership and collaboration skills across all organizational levels are essential for success.

Key Responsibilities:

Global Recognition Initiatives Strategy: Lead the execution of the global recognition strategy for the organization including Stars of Excellence and Podium ensuring it supports overall talent management Culture and Employee Engagement objectives.

Act as the subject matter expert and provide thought leadership for global recognition programs ensuring alignment with organizational policies and processes.

Collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to gather insights and consensus on priorities approaches and solution designs.

Align crossfunctional teams vendors and stakeholders and execute on programs.

Program Management: Oversee the execution of our global recognition programs ensuring adherence to project management methodologies and lifecycle phases.

Take ownership of strategic program plans and budgets ensuring maximization of budget to achieve program outcomes.

Ensure the alignment of program deliverables with the strategic objectives of the Culture and Engagement Center of Expertise and the overall organization.

Lead humancentered design sessions to innovate and improve recognition programs.

Provide strategic guidance on escalations and complex inquiries.

Proactively identify deviations from project plans and develop strategic interventions to mitigate risks. Prepare and present options for resolution to senior leadership ensuring informed decisionmaking.

Reporting and Communication: Develop and maintain communication and reporting that ensures transparency and accountability.

Present complex program updates and insights to senior leadership providing strategic recommendations program progress and outcomes.

Package insights and data into compelling narratives for stakeholder engagement.

Own program data identifying areas for improvement and driving strategic changes.

Provide regular KPI and metric updates to senior leaders and stakeholders.

Leadership Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management: Foster a culture of high performance and continuous improvement within the team.

Mentor and develop team members providing strategic guidance and resolving complex issues.

Oversee comprehensive stakeholder management ensuring alignment with partners like IT.

Strategic Initiatives Brand and Communications:

Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Ability to effectively engage and support all levels from most junior to Senior Executive.

Manage relationships with external vendors ensuring alignment with program objectives and operational efficiency.

Negotiate contracts and service agreements to optimize value and performance.

Qualifications:

• 710 years of progressively responsible experience in global program strategy and delivery with a proven track record of successful delivery and strategic oversight of global programs in a complex organizational environment.

• Demonstrated experience in leading and developing highperforming teams with a strong emphasis on people leadership coaching and mentorship to inspire and empower team members to achieve their full potential and contribute to organizational success.

• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively and comfortably with senior executives stakeholders and crossfunctional teams fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.

• Superior ability to articulate complex ideas clearly build and nurture strong relationships across all organizational levels and facilitate meaningful dialogue. Expertise in active listening questioning and feedback is essential.

• Expert in navigating fastpaced environments adept at prioritizing initiatives managing diverse portfolios and maintaining a keen attention to detail amidst competing priorities.

• Proven experience in adopting a global approach to project management engaging with international partners and driving crosscultural collaboration to achieve organizational goals.

• Strong analytical capabilities to assess challenges identify opportunities and implement innovative solutions that align with organizational objectives.

• Expert in cultivating influential relationships and establishing credibility as a trusted advisor and consultant capable of guiding teams and stakeholders towards strategic outcomes.

• Bilingualism (English and French) is an asset. If the successful candidate is in Qubec proficiency in both languages will be required to support clients from various provinces outside of Quebec.

When you join our team:

• Well empower you to learn and grow the career you want.

• Well recognize and support you in a flexible environment where wellbeing and inclusion are more than just words.

• As part of our global team well support you in shaping the future you want to see.

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 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 pregnancyrelated 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 .