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Reporting to the Group Benefits Chief Compliance Officer (GB CCO), this role provides strategic advice and independent Second Line of Defence oversight to Canadian first line business units on regulatory compliance matters. The role operates under the direction of the GB CCO and is accountable for the design, execution, and enablement of key components of the Canada Segment Regulatory Compliance Management (RCM) program. Working in alignment with Canada Segment Compliance teams, the role drives a unified, consistent approach in line with Global RCM expectations and provides business‑unit specific compliance support to Group Benefits and Canada Retirement.
The Director acts as a senior execution lead for Canada Segment RCM initiatives, operationalizing segment‑wide guidance, training, reporting, governance routines, and core compliance program components in alignment with Canada Segment Compliance strategy and enterprise standards. The role manages complex compliance issues and escalates material risks, themes, and systemic issues to the GB CCO (and peer CCOs, as appropriate).
Position Responsibilities:
This list is not exhaustive but is representative of key responsibilities.
Individual Responsibilities (10%)
1. Compliance modernization – Drive continuous improvements to the Canada Segment compliance program aligned to RCM policies, standards, and Compliance strategy initiatives, in coordination with peer BU Compliance teams.
- Translate compliance strategy into sustainable processes, tools, templates, and training.
- Contribute to enterprise compliance initiatives (e.g., policy development and training).
2. Compliance technology (Archer / RCM) – Lead day‑to‑day RCM and Archer enablement activities (e.g., implementation support) with Canada Segment Compliance peers.
- Develop training, job aids, and guidance for compliance staff and business units, as needed.
3. Advisory & Compliance SME Support – Key contributor to Canada Segment Compliance SME oversight for ad‑hoc assessments, surveys, and regulatory inquiries.
- Triage requests in line with delegated authority and escalate as appropriate.
4. Innovation – Act as a key contributor to AI and automation initiatives supporting compliance modernization and core RCM activities.
Business‑unit specific support (Group Benefits Compliance & Canada Retirement Compliance) (80%)
1. Independent oversight & challenge – Provide oversight and credible challenge on policies, procedures, business unit self-assessments including RCRA (& related processes) for regulatory compliance and ad hoc queries.
2. Issues management oversight – Provide programmatic oversight to issues management of business unit teams (including privacy incidents), including triage, assignment coordination, and escalation. For related control gaps and corrective action plans CAPs (in the RCMD) – this role will partner with the business to document identified compliance control gaps, monitor progress to ensure timely completion, and provide oversight and challenge on issue and CAP closure.
3. Monitoring & testing – Act as the Monitoring & Testing SME. Support centralized testing team, as needed, in line with global methodology, and partner with BU Compliance teams, Risk, and Audit to identify themes and enhancement opportunities.
4. Compliance & regulatory reporting / governance – Support CCOs in quarterly RCM reporting, providing BU updates and escalations; prepare materials and key messages for committees and periodic reporting cycles.
5. Archer maintenance – Maintain oversight for regulatory compliance aspects of Archer, ensuring periodic refreshes are completed in coordination with the business; support enhancements and ensure the library (including authoritative sources) remains current.
6. Exams, audits, and investigations – Provide key support for compliance investigations, privacy incidents, regulatory inquiries, and audits under the leadership of the GB CCO / CR CCO.
7. Capability uplift – Share practical knowledge of the Regulatory Compliance Program and Archer to enable consistent execution and shared ownership of Second Line Compliance activities.
8. Records management – Maintain required compliance program records and documentation in accordance with enterprise and regulatory standards. Training & attestations – Oversee training completion and escalate persistent gaps.
Leadership Responsibilities (10%)
1. Set team goals (with team leadership) aligned to compliance priorities; translate strategy into execution plans, resource needs, and measurable outcomes.
2. Coach and develop talent through hiring, performance management, and ongoing feedback; build capability and bench strength for critical compliance activities.
3. Foster an inclusive, high‑accountability culture grounded in ethics, professionalism, and constructive challenge.
4. Prioritize work across competing demands, manage risks, and escalate constraints and material themes through established governance.
5. Ensure adherence to compliance standards, documentation, and training requirements; drive timely remediation when gaps are identified.
Required Qualifications:
Degree in business, finance, law, risk, audit, or equivalent experience.
10+ years of experience in compliance, legal, risk, audit, or control functions within Canadian financial services.
Proven people leader with experience building and leading high-performing teams (hiring, coaching, performance management, succession planning) and leading through change.
Strong understanding of Canadian regulatory requirements applicable to Group Benefits and Retirement.
Demonstrated ability to set strategy and drive execution for segment-wide compliance program elements.
Strong governance and executive communication skills, including developing clear reporting and delivering credible challenge, themes, and recommendations to senior leaders and committees.
Excellent stakeholder leadership and partnering skills, including influencing without authority and managing complex, cross-functional priorities and appropriate escalation.
Experience with compliance technology platforms such as Archer and analytical tools (including AI) to support prioritization, reporting, and continuous improvement.
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
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 https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.
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 hr@manulife.com.
Referenced Salary Location
Toronto, OntarioWorking Arrangement
Salary range is expected to be between
$125,100.00 CAD - $175,100.00 CADEmployees 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 hr@manulife.com 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 hr@manulife.com 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.