This position is responsible for delivering sophisticated credit solutions to High Net Worth (HNW) and Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) clients across Residential and Specialized Lending portfolios. The role will ensure prudent credit decisions are made within established Discretionary Lending Authority, while maintaining strong governance, risk management, and client-centric approach to service delivery. This role reports directly to the Director, Specialized Lending Underwriting & Account Management, with a secondary reporting line to the Director, Underwriting in Residential Lending.
Position Responsibilities:
Credit Decisioning & Risk Management
Apply your advanced lending expertise, financial acumen, experience and deep client relationship management capabilities to structure, assess, and adjudicate complex credit applications.
Ensure proposed facilities are tailored to meet client objectives, reflect appropriate risk appetite, and align with the organization’s credit philosophy, policy standards, and regulatory obligations.
Maintain rigorous governance and oversight, ensuring lending decisions are transparent, well-documented, and compliant with internal controls and external regulations.
Effectively pivot between the priorities of Residential and Specialized Lending, fostering cross-functional collaboration to deliver integrated credit solutions and a seamless client experience.
Collaborate with Risk, Legal, and Compliance to manage complex credit structures and mitigate overall risk to the Bank.
Ensure underwriting outcomes demonstrate an appropriate risk/reward trade-off.
Exercise Discretionary Lending Authority, as granted by Credit Risk, to adjudicate credit applications for HNW/UHNW clients in line with the Bank’s risk appetite.
Communicate credit approvals to sales, advisors and clients and ensure that any conditions of approval and other terms and conditions are clearly understood and accepted.
Ensure that at-risk accounts are identified for the ‘Watchlist’ and receive appropriate enhanced monitoring, and where necessary, intervention occurs in a timely matter to protect the Bank’s interests in work-out and insolvency situations
Client & Advisor Support
Partner with internal Distribution team to deliver tailored lending solutions.
Act as a subject matter expert in HNW/UHNW lending, providing guidance on structuring, documentation, and execution.
Resolve escalated client and advisor issues with professionalism and urgency.
Governance & Controls
Maintain strong alignment to lending policies, procedures, and regulatory frameworks.
Ensure proper documentation and security registration for all lending transactions.
Monitor and report on key risk indicators, including LTV, margin, and covenant compliance, where applicable.
Leadership
Foster a high-performance culture with strong engagement and accountability.
Provide subject matter expertise to team members to assess complex lending scenarios and deliver exceptional service within the HNW/UHNW sphere.
Process Optimization & Collaboration
Identify process improvements to enhance efficiency and client experience.
Collaborate with Product and Sales teams to support new initiatives and product enhancements.
Represent the lending team in cross-functional projects and governance forums.
Required Qualifications:
5+ years’ experience in lending or credit adjudication in HNW/UHNW or Private Lending area;
Deep understanding of HNW/UHNW client financial planning strategies and use of leverage to facilitate tax and succession planning;
Advanced knowledge of Residential and Insurance & Wealth Lending;
Experience exercising Discretionary Lending Authority;
Advanced knowledge of lending documentation, security registration, and regulatory compliance.
Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Bilingualism (English and French) is a strong asset. If the successful candidate is in Québec, proficiency in both languages will be required to support clients from various provinces outside of Quebec.
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 recruitment@manulife.com.
Referenced Salary Location
CAN, Ontario, Toronto, 200 Bloor Street EastWorking Arrangement
Salary range is expected to be between
$86,250.00 CAD - $155,250.00 CADIf you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact recruitment@manulife.com 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 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 recruitment@manulife.com for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.