Engineering Manager

Role Overview

We are transforming how we build and deliver technology and we’re looking for thoughtful, experienced leaders to help shape that journey. Our Affinity Insurance Technology team builds software that supports critical customer and employee experiences, used every day across the business. If you’re motivated by coaching others, solving complex technical problems, and delivering high‑quality, reliable systems at scale, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while growing both people and platforms.

As an Engineering Manager, you will lead one or more cross‑functional engineering squads and play a key role in translating business objectives into well‑designed, scalable technical solutions. You will create an environment where engineers can do their best work through trust, clear direction, and continuous improvement while ensuring delivery excellence, operational stability, and alignment with enterprise standards.

• People leadership and team development – Lead, coach, and develop a diverse team of engineers, fostering psychological safety, engagement, and continuous learning; support career growth through regular feedback, mentoring, and development opportunities; build strong, collaborative team dynamics by aligning work to team strengths and capabilities; help attract, onboard, and retain talent.
• Delivery and execution – Partner closely with Product Owners, Architects, and Engineers to identify problems and deliver valuable, user‑focused solutions; guide the delivery of new products, enhancements, and technology upgrades using scalable and maintainable designs; ensure the reliability, performance, and security of critical applications; monitor progress against commitments, proactively removing blockers and addressing risks; communicate delivery status, dependencies, and impacts clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Technical and strategic leadership – Translate complex program requirements into clear, actionable technical direction; ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture, security, and compliance standards; influence technical decision‑making with internal and external partners; collaborate across teams to improve processes, tooling, and ways of working; stay informed of emerging technologies and policy changes that could affect platforms or delivery.

• 4+ years experience leading technology teams of 8+, with accountability for delivery, people development, and quality outcomes.
• Demonstrated success building and supporting high‑performing teams in hybrid or distributed environments.
• Comfort working across a broad technology landscape, including up‑to‑date web applications, APIs, backend systems, and legacy platforms.
• Practical experience with Agile and Dev Ops practices, such as continuous integration, automated testing, and iterative delivery.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.

• Experience delivering large‑scale software initiatives and/or operating within enterprise‑level Agile transformations.
• Continuous improvement mindset, with curiosity and openness to learning from both successes and challenges.
• Strong problem‑solving and organizational skills in complex, evolving environments.

• Location:
  
  Waterloo, Ontario – Hybrid working arrangement.
• Salary range: $ CAD – $ CAD, plus potential incentive programs and performance‑based compensation.

• Health, dental, mental health, vision, short‑ and long‑term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage.
• Adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, employee/family assistance plans.
• Retirement savings plans, including pension and global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions.
• Paid time off: holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, statutory leaves of absence.

Manulife 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…