Director, Specialized Lending Product & Business Transformation

Reporting to the Vice President & Head of Specialized Lending Manulife Bank the Director Specialized Lending Product is responsible for the Banks Specialized Lending product strategy development and lifecycles management. The suite of products and services within this portfolio is uniquely positioned to help our independent advisor partners execute financial plans that improve their clients financial health by amplifying their insurance and investment strategies providing high-touch banking services and meeting the borrowing needs of their business owner and high net worth clients. It is also a significant growth opportunity for Manulife Bank. The portfolio is composed of insurance-based lending (Immediate Financing Arrangements Cash Surrender Value (CSV) lines of credit and similar) investment loans and lines of credit advisor & firm financing as well as commercial and multi-unit residential mortgages.

The Director Specialized Lending Product bridges strategy and execution. They are responsible for influencing the Specialized Lending product & service experience direction shaping its structure and ensuring every effort across the Specialized Lending advisor and customer experience contributes to delivering value for our advisor partners high net worth customers and the fulfilling this role the incumbent will demonstrate a high level of collaboration by partnering with stakeholders across the Bank organization including sales underwriting risk marketing delivery technology operations finance and others to identify opportunities prioritize features and deliver high-quality products services and advisor/client experiences.

Position Responsibilities:

Product Strategy (20%)

• Develop monitor and refine long term product strategies for key product portfolios that will distinguish Manulifes product offerings in the marketplace

• Analyze the market to identify opportunities and recommend sound product strategies to support the launch of key products features and services

• Conduct advisor & customer research and analysis including competitive positioning

• Build the strategic product roadmap aligned to overarching advisor client and business goals

• Build and maintain a library of business cases identifying & prioritizing next best options to deliver on the strategic product roadmap

Product Portfolio Management (40%)

• Maintain a relevant and concise product shelf that has a positive impact to sales account balances profitability and advisor and customer strategies

• In close collaboration with Finance and the data and analytics teams measure analyze monitor and report on specialized lending business performance; propose action to capitalize on strengths and address weaknesses in performance

• Working within approved pricing frameworks establish the pricing strategy for Specialized Lending

• In conjunction with account management and the risk management teams measure monitor and mitigate significant risks within the specialized lending portfolio

• Manage the product lifecycle from concept to launch including planning execution and testing

• Recommend which product features to amend or new products to develop and launch next

• Collaborate across the bank working with technology delivery marketing sales risk operations and others to develop and execute plans to ensure successful product delivery launch and benefit realization

• Ensure that all products meet high standards of quality and align with the Banks product roadmap and strategy

• Develop and execute effective communication that keeps all stakeholders informed about product progress and provides a platform to ensure their requirements and needs are identified and addressed

Business Transformation (25%)

• Coordinate the Specialized lending teams contribution to the Banks business transformation initiative; in conjunction key Bank stakeholders including technical teams and product owners to define & prioritize features; deliver high-quality advisor client and employee experiences

• Work closely with stakeholders to gather requirements create user personas define use cases and convert insights into exceptional products and advisor/client experiences and strong sales enablement capabilities; all within an agile development framework

• Support day-to-day project execution ensuring features and functionality are delivered on time aligned to strategy and meet advisor client and employee needs

• Provide regular updates to leadership and stakeholders on project progress key initiatives risks dependencies and milestones

Leadership & Building a High Performing Team (15%)

• Inspire coach guide and actively engage employees; motivate and encourage staff

• Manage performance providing formal and informal feedback and coaching. Establish accountabilities and performance standards

• Build talent capability and engage employees through focused career discussions as well as promoting a culture of continuous professional development

• Role model critical behaviors to enhance the advisor and customer experience

• Demonstrate inclusive behaviors and provide opportunities to collaborate across teams

Required Qualifications:

• 10 years of relevant banking and lending experience with a particular focus on the high-net-worth and business owner client segment

• Bachelors degree in business finance information systems or related field

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Experience with strategic planning and business casing roadmap design execution and cross-functional collaboration with P&L accountability.

• Motivated driven self-starter. Ability to delegate effectively and influence across the Bank. Proven ability to overcome challenges and influence senior management.

• Demonstrated experience in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities while managing project delivery costs and financial performance

• Sound knowledge of regulatory requirements including OSFI guidelines and the Bank Act.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Private banking will be an asset.

• Experience in Agile and Scrum methodologies and lending experience is an asset

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 well-being and inclusion are more than just words.

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

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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 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 .

Referenced Salary Location

Salary range is expected to be between

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location please contact 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 for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.