Managing Director, Business Management – Private Markets

The Managing Director Business Management is responsible for strengthening and scaling the operating model of Manulifes Global Private Markets platform. The role focuses on how the business runsdriving efficiency execution discipline and scalable processes across investment operations and all supporting functions.

The role owns platform-wide operatingmodel refinement execution governance and transformation initiatives including AI strategy and implementation oversight of functional support and workload management and delivery of the Private Markets book of work among others. The role partners closely with the investment and operational leadership of each private markets business (private equity private credit infrastructure real estate timber and agriculture) and functional support teams as well as enterprise strategy and transformation teams to ensure alignment between Private Markets priorities and broader firm initiatives.

The role reports to the Private Markets COO and works collaboratively across investments operations and enterprise functions to embed durable improvements that support long-term growth.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Operating Model Design & Continuous Improvement

• Own and evolve the Private Markets operating model ensuring clarity of roles decision rights handoffs and accountability across investments and support functions.

• Lead ongoing assessment and refinement of processes to improve efficiency scalability consistency and control.

• Drive standardization and simplification across investment strategies and business units where appropriate.

• Establish and maintain effective governance structures to support decision-making in a global matrixed environment.

2. Efficiency Scalability & Execution Discipline

• Identify and execute initiatives to improve operational efficiency and productivity reducing manual work rework and process fragmentation.

• Partner with leadership on capacity planning workload management and headcount optimization.

• Define and monitor operational KPIs service levels and productivity metrics across functions.

• Ensure Private Markets can scale growth without disproportionate increases in cost or operational risk.

3. Book of Work SOW & Capacity Management

• Own the Private Markets book of work funding and approval process including intake prioritization sequencing and tracking of initiatives.

• Establish and maintain a disciplined statement of work (SOW) and resource allocation process across teams and functions.

• Balance run-the-business and change-the-business work to avoid bottlenecks and execution fatigue.

• Lead cross-functional governance forums to ensure alignment transparency and accountability for delivery.

4. AI Strategy Technology Enablement & Automation

• Own the Private Markets AI strategy aligned with enterprise standards and priorities.

• Identify prioritize and sponsor AI and automation use cases across investment and operational workflows data management reporting and risk processes.

• Partner with Technology Data and Risk teams to define data and technology strategy to ensure solutions are scalable well-governed and adopted by the business.

• Oversee change management to embed new tools and capabilities into day-to-day workflows.

5. Partnership with Operational & Functional Support Teams

• Work closely with Operations Finance Risk Compliance Legal Technology Data HR and Tax teams to design and execute effective operating processes.

• Drives organizational alignment to private market industry best practices continuously scanning the market for emerging standards in governance risk management operational efficiency and regulatory expectationsand translating insights into actionable upgrades across the operating model.

• Maintains deep awareness of competitive peer strategies benchmarking the firms processes technology stack investment operations and clientservice capabilities to ensure the platform remains differentiated scalable and positioned as a topquartile operator.

• Collaborates with business partners to determine bestinclass vendor oversight and partnership management ensuring external partners deliver highquality resilient and costeffective services aligned with the firms strategic objectives.

• Serve as a central point of coordination to ensure functional initiatives align with the Private Markets operating model.

• Drive clarity around ownership service expectations and escalation paths between Private Markets and support teams.

• Ensure operating processes meet enterprise risk regulatory and control requirements.

6. Collaboration with Strategy & Transformation Teams

• Partner with enterprise and Private Markets strategy teams to translate strategic priorities into executable initiatives.

• Coordinate with enterprise transformation teams to align Private Markets initiatives with firm-wide programs platforms and standards.

• Ensure transformation efforts are sequenced realistically and resourced appropriately within the Private Markets book of work.

• Act as a bridge between strategy transformation and day-to-day execution.

7. Leadership Influence & Change Management

• Lead and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority in a matrixed organization.

• Drive adoption of new processes tools and governance through effective change management.

• Foster a culture of accountability continuous improvement and operational rigor.

• Provide clear executive-level reporting on progress risks and outcomes.

Key Success Measures

• Improved operating efficiency scalability and execution predictability.

• Clear well-functioning operating model with defined ownership and governance.

• Transparent and disciplined management of the Private Markets book of work.

• Successful delivery and adoption of AI and automation initiatives.

• Strong collaboration and satisfaction across operational and functional support teams.

• Alignment between Private Markets initiatives and enterprise strategy and transformation efforts.

Traits for Success in This Role

• Self-Motivated and Autonomous:Able to take initiative and drive outcomes without constant direction.

• Obsessively Organized:Maintains structure prioritization and clarity across complex initiatives.

• Clear Direct Communication:Communicates effectively with all stakeholders ensuring transparency and alignment.

• Stakeholder Engagement:Builds trust and fosters collaboration across diverse teams and geographies.

• KPI-Driven and Outcome-Focused:Measures success through tangible results and consistent follow-through.

• Influential Leadership:Navigates a global matrixed environment to lead without direct authority.

• Change Management Mindset:Champions adoption of new processes and tools with empathy and rigor.

Qualifications & Experience

• 15 years of experience in asset management private markets or complex financial services organizations.

• Senior leadership experience in business management operating model design transformation or COO-type roles.

• Strong understanding of private markets operations and fund lifecycle processes.

• Proven track record delivering cross-functional change initiatives at scale.

• Experience sponsoring technology data and AI initiatives from concept through implementation.

• Ability to influence senior stakeholders in a global matrixed organization.

• Strong executive presence communication and analytical skills.

Why This Role Matters

This role ensures that Manulifes Private Markets platform operates with clarity discipline and scalability enabling growth while maintaining strong controls and execution confidence. By partnering closely with operational teams and enterprise strategy and transformation functions the role helps translate ambition into sustainable results.

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/John Hancock 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/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays 3 personal days 150 hours of vacation and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.

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