AVP, Corporate Development

The Opportunity

Corporate Development is a highly dynamic unit that is responsible for managing mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic projects that align with Manulife’s corporate strategy.

• Managing mergers, acquisitions and divestitures for Manulife on an end-to-end basis (sourcing deals, analysis, due diligence, deal structuring, negotiation, approval, integration, closing and post‑closing monitoring).
• Leading major strategic and ad hoc projects that support the company’s strategic plans.

To fulfill its mandate, the Corporate Development team collaborates closely with segment leaders and business unit teams in a highly team‑oriented environment.

Corporate Development acts as a catalyst, enabler and partner to help operating segments execute their business strategies through M&A, while controlling risk and ensuring transactions are executed in a structured and consistent manner.

Reporting into the Global Head of Corporate Development, the AVP, Corporate Development will work with business units across Manulife to implement strategic initiatives. The role’s primary accountabilities include:
1) M&A execution,
2) supporting initiatives that drive shareholder value, and
3) leading a team of professionals with a focus on training, coaching and talent development.

• Prepare strategic and financial analysis of potential transaction opportunities to facilitate senior management decision‑making.
  • Assess potential transaction rationale and strategic fit in collaboration with relevant business unit leaders.
  • Lead valuation analysis, including financial modeling and synergy estimation.
  • Identify and quantify the potential benefits and risks.
  • Analyze impact on the company as a whole (earnings, accretion/dilution, return on equity, capital, leverage, etc.).
• Direct cross‑functional teams in evaluating, negotiating and completing merger, acquisition or divestiture opportunities that align with the company’s strategy.
  • Organize and lead due diligence processes.
  • Negotiate, prepare and review legal documentation (NDA, LOI, binding offers, purchase and shareholder agreements, regulatory applications).
  • Lead various stages of a transaction’s life cycle, collaborating with internal functional partners and business unit leaders, as well as interfacing with counter parties and external advisors.
  • Maintain relationships with external advisors to ensure relevant ideas and opportunities are presented.
  • Develop presentations for executive discussion and approval.
• Maintain close working relationships with internal stakeholders across senior executive leadership and functional areas (HR, legal, risk, finance, tax, accounting policy, compliance).
• Ensure a consistent approach to M&A evaluation and best‑practice application across business lines.
• Develop and implement frameworks, processes and communications to identify, analyze and present M&A opportunities more effectively.
• Support strategic initiatives that drive shareholder value.
• Provide market‑facing insight into proactive M&A analysis and prioritization.
• Coordinate strategic and/or financial analysis supporting business unit leaders in the execution of their business plans related to mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.
• Keep informed of company‑wide efficiency and effectiveness initiatives and promote change through technology, infrastructure, best practice, tools and processes to improve the Corporate Development function.
• Provide thought leadership on Corporate Development initiatives and ensure compliance with standards and policies.

• Strong focus on training, coaching and talent management/development.
• Champion a high‑performance team environment.
• Contribute to an inclusive work environment.

• 12+ years of relevant experience, including investment banking, corporate development, accounting or related functions that involve financial modeling.
• Valuation and transaction structuring experience, particularly with financial institutions (wealth and asset management, insurance, banking).
• Undergraduate degree and one of the following designations: FSA, FCIA, MBA, CFA,…