We are seeking an experienced Product Owner to drive strategy delivery and continuous innovation across our Canadian Retirement products with a focus on our specialty and ancillary offerings. This role requires a strong foundation in the Canadian retirement and savings industry and a passion for creating solutions that address the needs of advisors plan sponsors and members. As a key member of the Product team you will champion the advisor and sponsor experience translating industry insights regulatory requirements and customer feedback into product strategies that deliver meaningful value. The successful candidate will bring deep knowledge of group retirement and savings programs pension products advisor distribution channels and the evolving retirement landscape.
You will prioritize the product backlog deliver iterative value and collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions that enhance digital experiences strengthen advisor and sponsor engagement and leverage AI where appropriate to improve outcomes for all stakeholders.
Position Responsibilities:
Product Strategy & Ownership
Define and evolve product vision roadmap and priorities aligned to the product strategy
Use customer feedback data and market insights to inform decisions
Act as the voice of the customer and business across the product lifecycle
Delivery & Execution
Own backlog prioritization user stories and sprint outcomes
Lead agile ceremonies and ensure consistent iterative delivery
Oversee UAT and ensure quality usability and value delivery
Data AI & Insights
Leverage product analytics and data driven insights to optimize experience and decision-making
Apply structured prioritization methods (e.g. MoSCoW)
Partner with data teams to enable accurate actionable insights
Digital Experience & Platform Evolution
Drive modernization of digital platforms with API-first mentality that allows those systems to be flexible and support more than one experience
Implement design systems for consistent accessible UX
Enable strategies to improve engagement and outcomes
Adoption & Change Management
Lead go-to-market and adoption strategies for new features
Partner across operations marketing and technology teams
Monitor adoption metrics and refine rollout approaches
Stakeholder Alignment
Build strong relationships and align priorities across teams
Communicate product vision progress and outcomes clearly
Use frameworks (OKRs RACI) to support execution and alignment
RequiredQualifications:
35 years in product ownership / product management
Proven delivery of successful products end-to-end
Strong analytical communication and stakeholder management skills
Experience in agile (Scrum/Kanban) environments
Experience working within the Canadian Retirement industry including Group Retirement Services pension savings or wealth solutions.
Knowledge of Canadian retirement products regulations and industry practices including defined contribution (DC) defined benefit (DB) Group RRSP DPSP TFSA and decumulation solutions.
Understanding of the retirement ecosystem including plan sponsors advisors and plan members.
PreferredQualifications:
Experience in Group Retirement Services
Expertise in digital platforms (e.g. websites mobile apps)
Familiarity with AI technologies and trends
Experience with personalization tools (Adobe Target)
Understanding of consent and compliance (PIPEDA)
Strong UX and data-driven decision-making capabilities
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.
The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.
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
Waterloo Ontario
Working Arrangement
Hybrid
Salary range is expected to be between
$85300.00 CAD - $135300.00 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.
We use data and analytics technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and automated processing tools to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information please refer to our personal information collection statement.
Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1