Director People Experience Strategy

Overview We are evolving Talent into an integrated, enterprise-wide system that enables Manulife's strategy by shaping the workforce, performance, and leadership capabilities required to win today and in the future. Within this model, People Experience is about creating the conditions for our talent to feel connected and thrive day to day through practical solutions and clear talent priorities. The Director, People Experience Strategy helps bring the People Experience strategy to life by leading strategic initiatives across Performance, Recognition, Sustainable Performance, and Organizational Sensing & Insights. Working across Talent, HR, and the business, the role identifies opportunities, shapes solutions, and drives improvements that strengthen employee experience and business performance. To lead this work, we are seeing a strategic leader who connects People Experience priorities and translates them into solutions that improve employee and leader experiences while supporting business outcomes.What You Will Lead
Strategic People Experience initiatives across Performance, Recognition, Sustainable Performance, and our organizational listening and actions Experience design and activation approaches that support the adoption of Talent priorities.Organizational sensing and insight activities that translate employee feedback into action.Leader resources, tools, and practices that strengthen employee and leader experiences.Cross-functional partnerships and measurement approaches that drive continuous improvement.Responsibilities
Lead strategic People Experience initiatives from design through implementation and continuous improvement. Partner with business leaders, People Partners, and Talent teams to identify opportunities and improve employee experiences. Translate Talent priorities into solutions, resources, and approaches that support leaders and employees. Use employee feedback, organizational insights, and business priorities to shape recommendations and improvements. Build alignment across stakeholders and functions to advance shared priorities and outcomes. Monitor progress, risks, and results, providing recommendations to support decision‑making. Present insights, recommendations, and outcomes to senior leaders and stakeholders. Lead and develop team members while fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.What Success Looks Like
People Experience priorities are translated into solutions that deliver measurable impact. Leaders and People Partners have the resources and support needed to apply Talent priorities effectively. Organizational sensing and insights lead to informed decisions and visible improvements. Performance, recognition, and sustainable performance experiences feel connected and relevant to everyday work. Stakeholders view People Experience as a trusted partner that helps advance enterprise priorities. Employees experience Talent practices as simple, connected, and easy to navigate.Qualifications
10+ years of progressive experience in employee experience, talent management, organizational effectiveness, HR strategy, transformation, or related fields. Proven experience leading complex, cross‑functional initiatives in a large, matrixed global organization. Strong systems thinking and ability to translate complex strategies into practical solutions. Experience using qualitative and quantitative insights to inform decisions and drive improvement. Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to influence without direct authority. Exceptional communication, facilitation, and storytelling capabilities. Demonstrated experience leading and developing high‑performing teams. Bachelor's degree required;
advanced degree in HR, Organizational Development, Business, Behavioural Science, Design, or a related discipline preferred.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 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 View email address on ca.hrm.tc Salary
Location Toronto, OntarioWorking Arrangement HybridSalary 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. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact View email address on ca.hrm.tc 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 View email address on ca.hrm.tc 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.We’re Manulife. And we’re on a mission to make decisions easier and lives better. Better is what drives us. It’s what inspires us to find new ways to support customers and colleagues in living longer and healthier lives. It’s the reason we’re dedicated to investing in digital innovation and industry‑leading AI, and accelerating a sustainable and economically inclusive future. Joining us means you’ll be empowered to learn and grow your career. We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well‑being and inclusion are more than just words. And as part of our global team, you’ll help shape the future you want to see – and discover that better can take you anywhere you want to go.We’re proud of our accomplishments and recognition. Recent awards include: 2026 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winner Manulife Named one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2025 Financial Times World’s Best Employers Asia-Pacific 2026 We’ve been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers 2026 #1 Life Insurer for AI Maturity by Evident 2026
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