Director, Plan Sponsor Risk Management

We are a leading financial services provider committed to making decisions easier and lives better for our customers and colleagues around the world. From our environmental initiatives to our community investments, we lead with values throughout our business. To help us stand out, we help you step up, because when colleagues are healthy, respected and meaningfully challenged, we all thrive. Discover how you can grow your career, make impact and drive real change with our Winning Team today.

**Working Arrangement**

Hybrid

**The opportunity**

At the core of our Canadian strategy, we put the customer at the center of everything we do. Our Group Benefits business supports over 25,000 employers and their employees across Canada. This leadership role is an incredible opportunity to have a significant impact on our Plan Sponsor journey.

As a key member of the Plan Sponsor Services team, the **Director, Plan Sponsor Risk Management is accountable for **evolving and managing a risk model that balances Plan Sponsors requirements and Manulife’s risk tolerance and service model.

**Responsibilities**
- Lead Plan Sponsor Risk professionals that manage the complex contracting process with core strategic clients, including the negotiation and execution of:

- Plan Sponsor master services and IT/privacy/data agreement
- Plan Sponsor IT and claims audits; and
- Plan Sponsor third party vendor requirements.
- Assess and recommend the appropriate scope, team structure and funding model for Plan Sponsor Risk Management to adequately support the organization and respond to service demands
- Develop a strong pipeline of talent and foster an engaged team culture of high performers
- Lead the build and management of a customized commitment inventory and framework,
- Strategize, develop, and implement processes and procedures that support our Plan Sponsors complex contracting and third - party diligence/auditing requirements
- Identify and lead key strategic projects e.g.
- assessment and implementation of contract management tools
- contract evolution and enhancements
- Lead problem exploration and solution development in a matrix environment balancing Plan Sponsors needs and Manulife’s risk tolerance while providing exceptional customer service
- Provide regular updates to Group Benefits leadership team on the emerging risks within the GB landscape, as well as internal service delivery vs. client commitments
- Support the management of Manulife’s staff benefits plan including
- improving the operational support model for staff plan
- overseeing the investigation and remediation of sponsor escalations

**What motivates you?**
- You obsess about customers, listen, engage, and act for their benefit.
- You think big, with curiosity to discover ways to use your agile approach and enable business outcomes.
- You thrive in teams and enjoy getting things done together.
- You take ownership and build solutions, focusing on what matters.
- You do what is right, work with integrity and speak up.
- You share your humanity, helping us build a diverse and inclusive work environment for everyone.
- You are a highly effective change agent who can thrive in an ambiguous and dynamic environment.

**What we are looking for**
- Ability to collaborate, partner, initiate and maintain cross-departmental and intra-divisional relationships
- Leadership experience considered an asset and the ability to develop and lead a high-performing risk team is critical
- IT knowledge to be able to speak with technical resources as well as assess risk of IT commitments
- Full understanding of Group Benefits products/financial arrangements including underwriting practices, compliance, and vendor management, is considered an asset
- Previous experience in a risk-based role, is considered an asset
- Experience in dealing with complex legal or contractual issues
- Strong Customer Experience background. Both internal and external customer focus with the ability to speak with external parties including Plan Sponsor representatives
- Excellent negotiation and influencing skills at various levels of the organizations
- Relationship building in a matrix environment
- Ability to handle complex issues with a proven ability to adapt to changes quickly and easily within the business and organization
- Ability to balance competing demands with little management direction/support
- Ability to manage high visibility and high-risk consequences

**What can we offer you?**
- A competitive salary and benefits packages.
- A growth trajectory that extends upward and outward, encouraging you to follow your passions and learn new skills.
- A focus on growing your career path with us.
- Flexible work policies and strong work-life balance.
- Professional development and leadership opportunities.

**Our commitment to you**
- Values-first culture
- We lead with our Values every day and bring them to life together.
- Boundless opportunity
- We create opportunities to learn and grow at