AVP, Operations Implementation and Innovation

Role Overview

The AVP, Implementation & Innovation is a senior leader responsible for shaping, operationalizing, and accelerating the strategic agenda across Retail & Wealth Operations. This role acts as a strategic integrator and execution catalyst, translating enterprise and functional strategy into impactful, scalable outcomes while embedding a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and data‑driven decision‑making.

• Strategy Development & Execution
  :
  Act as a strategic advisor to the Global Head of Retail & Wealth Operations, supporting prioritization, sequencing, and execution of the function’s strategic agenda. Define and operationalize the strategic roadmap aligned with business priorities, develop key OKRs and KPIs, and provide end‑to‑end coordination of strategic initiatives. Champion a customer‑first mindset to enhance the client and advisor journey.
• Program Delivery & Implementation
  :
  Oversee complex program delivery, ensuring delivery on time and on budget. Establish governance and delivery frameworks that embed accountability and measurement, embed risk, compliance, and control standards, and oversee testing, readiness, and post‑implementation controls to safeguard operational integrity.
• Innovation & Transformation Leadership
  :
  Identify and scale innovation opportunities, drive AI, automation, and digital capabilities, partner across teams to industrialize solutions, foster experimentation and agility, and operate working models that continuously improve service quality and productivity for Manulife John Hancock customers.
• Operating Model & Capability Evolution
  :
  Design scalable operating models, enhance data, analytics, and automation, and lead and develop high‑performing teams that foster a culture of inclusion, accountability, collaboration, constructive challenge, and continuous improvement.
• Executive Advisory & Stakeholder Management
  :
  Act as a trusted advisor to Global Retail and Wealth Operations leadership and key stakeholders, prepare and deliver executive‑level materials, drive cross‑functional alignment, and own management reporting, dashboards, and progress tracking across the function.

• 15+ years in strategy, transformation, or operations leadership.
• Knowledge of wealth and asset management operations, fund operations, and regulatory frameworks across global jurisdictions.
• Expertise in program delivery, execution, and change enablement.
• Strong understanding of regulatory risk and control frameworks.
• Experience with digital transformation and driving operating model change with AI and low‑code toolkits.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to articulate vision, possibilities, and outcomes across all levels in a complex matrix organization.
• Strong adaptability and agility; able to reprioritize effectively in fast‑moving environments.
• Ability to translate ambiguous business problems into structured analysis and recommendations.

Location:

Boston, Massachusetts
Working Arrangement:
Hybrid
Salary range: $ - $ USD
Additional compensation: incentive programs tied to business and individual performance
Benefits: health, dental, mental health, vision, short‑ and long‑term disability, life and AD&D insurance, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, employee/family assistance plans, retirement savings plans (pension/401(k), global share ownership plan with employer matching), financial education and counseling resources, paid time off (up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, 40 hours of sick time, and statutory leaves of absence).
Data and analytics technologies, including artificial intelligence and automated processing tools, are used to analyze and process applicant information.

Manulife Financial Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We embrace diversity and strive 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, color, 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.