Lead Experience Design Strategist

Join our dynamic and high-impact Experience Design team shaping the digital experiences for our Wealth, North American Retail, and Global Institutional businesses in Manulife Wealth and Asset Management. As a Lead Experience Design Strategist, you will drive complex, multi‑channel initiatives, help define the vision for future-state experiences, and influence product roadmaps that directly support our mission to elevate our digital ecosystem and make our customers' lives better.You thrive in ambiguity, lead through influence, and move fluidly between strategy and execution -accelerating decisions through research-led insights, service design excellence, and compelling storytelling.Position Responsibilities:Lead end-to-end experience and service design strategy for new and existing digital initiatives - from discovery to implementation - ensuring customer needs remain central to product and business decisionsBring structure to ambiguous problem spaces by translating complex insights into clear and actionable strategic direction for both near-term delivery and long-term visionPlan and lead research and validation activities, integrating service design discovery, blueprinting, generative research, market and competitive scans, and evaluative testing to reveal gaps, uncover user needs, and de-risk decision-makingSynthesize quantitative and qualitative inputs into high-quality, actionable insights, JTBD, opportunity maps, and experience frameworks that influence prioritization and strategic directionPartner closely with leaders in product, design, engineering, marketing, product, and sales to define a cohesive experience visionInfluence roadmaps through confident facilitation, evidence-based storytelling, clear concept narratives, and experience principles that align senior stakeholdersEvolve shared frameworks and ways of working that create consistency and raise quality across teamsStrengthen the strategic design practice by sharing best practices, coaching peers, and elevating overall craftIntegrate emerging technologies - including AI-enabled experiences- into visioning and solution definitionRequired Qualifications:6+ years of experience in design strategy, UX strategy, service design, or related disciplines within financial services or within similarly complex, regulated environmentsBachelor's degree in Design, HCI, or equivalent professional experiencePortfolio demonstrating strategic process, service design depth, and shipped outcomes - ideally for digital experiences within Financial Services or similarly complex domainsProven ability to independently define, execute, and evolve strategic frameworks from ambiguity to measurable impactExceptional storytelling, facilitation, and cross-functional stakeholder‑management skillsHigh-quality visual and conceptual communication skills (PowerPoint, Mural, Figma, etc)Expertise in generative research, validation, and insight synthesisExperience leveraging AI‑augmented design and research tools to accelerate insights and ideationDemonstrated ability to lead and prioritize multiple workstreams in a time-sensitive environmentPreferred Qualifications:Track record of strategic initiatives that led to measurable improvements in user experience and business outcomesStrong portfolio highlighting strategic range, craft quality, and impactExperience leading teams across complex, cross‑functional initiativesExperience designing or supporting AI‑enabled products or AI design standardsFamiliarity with constraints across desktop, mobile, and multi-channel ecosystemsUnderstanding of accessibility, ethics, and regulatory considerations in digital and AI‑enabled experiencesWhat Sets You Apart?You are committed to excellence and own your craft across all aspects of experience strategyYou collaborate with low ego and contribute to a culture of transparency, trust, and continuous learningYou think systematically - turning complexity into clarity and actionable plans that advocate for user needs while balancing business realitiesYou are energized by solving core product problems and delivering thoughtful, high‑value experiencesWe’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 HancockManulife 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 EmployerAt 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 LocationToronto, OntarioWorking ArrangementHybridSalary range is expected to be between$92,900.00 CAD - $142,900.00 CADIf you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact 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 for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.