The Corporate Real Estate (CRE) function at Manulife is responsible for managing the office space housing Manulife’s operations, across North America, Asia, Europe and Caribbean locations, comprising 7M square feet in 400+ locations worldwide.

Role Summary:

Provide strategic leadership for Manulife’s global corporate real estate portfolio, driving long‑term optimization, expense efficiency, and workplace effectiveness through data‑driven strategy, strong stakeholder alignment, and disciplined execution.

Position Responsibilities:

• Portfolio Strategy : Develop and execute a long‑term CRE strategy that optimizes footprint, costs, sustainability, and workplace experience.
• Business Cases & Approvals : Lead, review or support the creation of executive‑ready business cases and documentation, including financial modeling, accounting treatment of leases, depreciation, etc.; navigate internal approval and procurement processes; align stakeholders across business lines, geographies, and functions.
• Executive Communication: Communicate clear, executive-ready insights to initiative owners, stakeholders and Senior Management on initiative status, performance, risks, and impacts.
• Thought Leadership : Stay current on CRE best practices and market trends; recommend applicability to Manulife’s portfolio.
• Program & Project Leadership : Own complex, multi-year initiatives; manage scope, timelines, dependencies, risks, and change. Drive execution and delivery.
• Performance & Reporting : Define, track, and report critical portfolio metrics; report on project KPIs against set objectives
• Portfolio Analytics: Drive analysis around the global portfolio that is relevant, timely and assists to drive decisions the strategic planning function and office design
• Issue Resolution: Proactively remove blockers, reprioritize deliverables, and drive decisions to maintain momentum.
• Process Documentation : Establish and maintain concise, accessible standards, policies and process documentation.
• Special Projects : Lead high‑value strategic projects on behalf of CRE
• Global Collaboration : Partner with operations, design, and cross functional teams; coordinate across time zones.
• Note: Duties may change or be assigned as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Real Estate, or related field; MBA or relevant designation (e.g., CFA, CPA, PMP, LEED) is an asset.
• 10–12+ years in corporate real estate (CRE) strategy and portfolio management, with 5+ years in leadership roles; experience operating at Director level.
• Proven track record leading multi‑year transformation programs and large, complex initiatives across functions and geographies; adept at navigating matrix organizations.
• Strong financial acumen: business case development, lease/transaction analysis, financial modeling, capitalization principles, budgeting, and ROI/NPV justification.
• Expertise in portfolio optimization, workplace strategy, and sustainability integration (e.g., energy efficiency, green building standards) to drive cost and experience outcomes.
• Advanced analytics and KPI management: defining, tracking, and reporting portfolio metrics; translating insights into executive‑ready recommendations.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication; comfortable presenting to executive audiences.
• Governance & Process: Experience establishing and adhering to governance frameworks; skilled in documenting processes and policies with strong controls and auditability.
• Comfortable working across time zones and partnering with cross‑functional teams globally.
• Current knowledge of workplace trends and CRE best practices; ability to integrate sustainability and cost-efficiency into portfolio decisions.
• Management consulting experience preferred; demonstrated ability to structure ambiguous problems and drive executive-level recommendations.
• Strong computer skills; ability to develop sophisticated spreadsheets which leverage data from multiple sources; and create concise compelling presentations and reports

Competencies:

• Self-starter, with ability to work independently and drive projects to completion
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Practical working knowledge of Corporate Real Estate terms, metrics and principles
• Excellent communication & presentation skills (both written and verbal)
• Strong collaboration, and stakeholder engagement

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.

• This is a hybrid role (3-days in-office) based in our Toronto Global Headquarters.

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 https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html .

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 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 hr@manulife.com .

Referenced Salary Location

Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$125,100.00 CAD - $175,100.00 CAD

Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact hr@manulife.com 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 hr@manulife.com 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 .