Manager, Group Benefits, Sponsor Risk Management

This role provides first line of defense oversight in identifying assessing and mitigating plan sponsor-related risks and contractual exposures within the Group Benefits business. By leading governance forums and complex service agreement negotiations the Manager ensures alignment with Manulifes risk appetite while enhancing operational controls and client experience.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Plan Sponsor Risk Management & Contract Oversight

• Conduct initial risk and compliance reviews to reduce downstream impacts and improve internal engagement efficiency.

• Ensure contractual language aligns with Manulifes standards and risk appetite in collaboration with Legal Privacy and other internal SMEs.

• Lead complex negotiations of high-profile Service Agreements (MSAs OA DPAs NDAs) with large/jumbo plan sponsors.

• Assert Manulifes standard practices and policies while balancing client needs and risk tolerance.

• Support escalations and client interactions with professionalism and clarity.

2. Governance & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Lead the Client Customization Review Committee (CCRC) a multi-stakeholder governance forum overseeing client customization requests.

• Collaborate with stakeholders across Distribution Legal Privacy Underwriting Product Operations Tax Disability and IT Risk to ensure alignment and risk mitigation.

• Continuously improve committee processes including intake redirection and stakeholder engagement.

3. Process Innovation & Systems Optimization

• Identify process gaps and initiate interdepartmental working groups to reduce inefficiencies.

• Support the continual improvement and development of tools such as JIRA/JSM to manage and track work requests.

• Champion automation and GenAI adoption to streamline contract and RFP reviews and negotiation workflows.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across the team including providing education and guidance on risk standards contract language and negotiation strategy.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Business Law Risk Management or related field.

• 57 years of experience in risk management legal/compliance or group benefits contracting.

• Strong understanding of Canadian insurance regulations privacy standards and operational risk frameworks.

• Proven experience leading complex negotiations with external clients.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to simplify complex concepts.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designation or progress toward certification.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with tools such as Power BI JIRA/JSM and GenAI solutions (e.g. Copilot).

• Strong expertise in risk identification analysis and mitigation including control design and monitoring practices.

• Solid understanding of legal regulatory and privacy compliance in the context of plan sponsor risk and contractual obligations.

• Exceptional organizational skills with a proactive collaborative approach and ability to manage high-visibility deliverables under ambiguity.

• Passion for improving client experience and driving operational excellence through innovation and continuous improvement.

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.

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.