Director, Strategy & Business Management, Emerging Markets
Position Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Problem Solving & Transformation Leadership
Lead end-to-end strategic development including problem framing, hypothesis creation, opportunity sizing, scenario modeling, and CEO-level recommendations.
Facilitate cross-functional workshops to test assumptions and refine strategies.
Design clear roadmaps for transformation initiatives aligned with EM’s growth agenda.
2. Regional Planning, Alignment & Executive Enablement
Lead end-to-end strategic development including problem framing, hypothesis creation, opportunity sizing, scenario modeling, and CEO-level recommendations.
Facilitate cross-functional workshops to test assumptions and refine strategies.
Design clear roadmaps for transformation initiatives aligned with EM’s growth agenda.
3. Performance Management & Early risk detection
Oversee EM performance dashboards, KPI frameworks, trend analyses, and monthly business reviews.
Surface early warning indicators on performance, operational risks, and strategic gaps.
Recommend interventions and coordinate follow‑ups with markets and regional stakeholders
4. In-Market Project Deployment (2–6 months as required)
Deploy into markets (typically 2–6 month sprints) to lead diagnostics, validate insights, and accelerate delivery of high-priority initiatives.
Partner with local leadership teams to co-create solutions and ensure on‑the‑ground execution discipline.
5. Market Insights & External Trends
Lead efforts to track competitive dynamics, regulatory changes, consumer trends, and macro shifts across EM.
Turn insights into clear implications for strategy and decision-making.
6. Governance & Strategic Discipline
Establish frameworks to track initiative progress, manage risks, drive accountability, and ensure timely delivery.
Lead the structured operating rhythm for EM, including leadership meetings, strategic reviews, and planning sessions.
Coordinate closely with Finance, Actuarial, Distribution, Product, and other regional functions.
7. Peer Review & Mentorship
Provide structured peer review to ensure analytical rigor, accuracy, and narrative quality across team outputs.
Mentor Managers and analysts, uplifting capability in problem-solving, insights synthesis, and executive communication.
Foster a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or above.
8–12+ years in strategy consulting, corporate strategy, transformation, or related roles.
Strong financial modeling, structured problem solving, and executive communication skills.
Experience working with senior stakeholders across markets and functions.
Comfortable with travel and on‑the‑ground execution across EM countries.
Strong strategic and analytical thinking, with ability to structure complex problems and develop clear, actionable insights.
Advanced financial modeling and performance interpretation across multi‑market environments.
Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with proven ability to craft concise executive‑ready narratives.
Strong influencing skills, able to drive alignment and decision-making across senior stakeholders and diverse cultures.
Skilled facilitator capable of leading cross-functional sessions and guiding strategic discussions.
Demonstrated leadership with ability to coach, mentor, and uplift the capability of junior team members.
Resilient, adaptable, and effective in fast‑moving, ambiguous, multi-country environments.
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.
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.
Working Arrangement