Director, Specialized & Business Lending Product

Reporting to the Vice President & Head of Specialized Lending, Manulife Bank, the Director, Specialized & Business Lending Product is responsible for the Bank’s Specialized & Business Lending product strategy, development, and lifecycle 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 high net worth and business owner clients’ financial health by amplifying their insurance and investment strategies, providing high-touch banking services, and, meeting the borrowing needs of their client base. It is also a significant growth opportunity for Manulife Bank. The portfolio is designed to meet the borrowing needs of high net worth and business owner clients and 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 & Business Lending Product bridges strategy and execution. They are responsible for influencing the Specialized & Business Lending product & service experience direction, shaping its structure, and ensuring every effort across the Specialized Business Lending advisor and customer experience contributes to delivering value for our advisor partners, high net worth & Business owner customers, and the Bank. In 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 (25%)

• Develop, monitor, and refine long term product strategies for key product portfolios that will distinguish Manulife’s 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 on 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 Bank’s 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 (20%)

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

• Collaborate 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 that enhance the employee, 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

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, 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, initiative-taker. 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:

• Direct Commercial and/or Private Banking experience is an asset

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.

#LI-Hybrid

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 .

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 .

Referenced Salary Location

Waterloo, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$118,300.00 CAD - $168,300.00 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 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 for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.