Do you have a passion for business, strategy, and public policy? Do you want the opportunity to work for one of Canada’s most internationally successful companies to solve challenges and find solutions that will improve the lives of millions of Manulife customers in Canada and around the globe?

Manulife’s Government Relations team is looking for an AVP Government Relations to join us in Ottawa. The Director will join a global, multi-disciplinary team that coordinates across business lines and jurisdictions to engage on public policy and regulatory issues to ensure that Manulife continues to deliver on our commitments to customers, employees, shareholders and stakeholders.

Based in Ottawa, this role will serve as Manulife’s primary advocate and liaison with Canadian federal government officials, working to advance policy outcomes that support the company’s business objectives while reinforcing our reputation as a constructive, solutions-oriented public policy partner.

The successful candidate will operate at the intersection of public policy, regulation, and business strategy, with a deep understanding of federal decision-making processes and a strong professional network across Parliament, key departments and agencies.

This role requires strategic thinking, strong written and verbal communications skills, advocacy and negotiation experience, an ability to lead and achieve, tact and curiosity. An ability to build strong, collaborative relationships internally and externally is essential.

Position Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive government relations strategy aligned with enterprise priorities across health benefits, insurance, retirement savings, wealth management, and financial services.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with ministers’ offices, senators and members of Parliament, senior officials, regulators, and political staff across parties.
• Monitor, analyze, and influence federal policy, legislative, and regulatory developments, including budgets, legislation, regulations, and consultations relevant to Manulife’s operations in Canada and key global markets.
• Lead advocacy efforts on priority files, including preparing briefing materials, position papers, submissions, and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Advise executives and business leaders on political risk, policy trends, and emerging issues, translating complex policy developments into clear business implications.
• Coordinate closely with internal stakeholders, including legal, compliance, communications, marketing, and business units to ensure consistent and integrated advocacy and messaging.
• Collaborate with industry associations, coalitions, and external partners to advance shared objectives while protecting the company’s distinct interests.
• Support government engagement activities, including meetings, roundtables, events, and site visits, and represent the company at external forums when appropriate.
• Contribute to crisis and issues management, providing timely government relations insight during sensitive or high-profile situations.

Required Qualifications:

• The successful candidate must reside in Ottawa, Ontario
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in a similar position working in business, government or advocacy work
• Experience working with the Canadian Government at the Federal level
• Excellent verbal and written communication, editing skills and the ability to communicate complex issues into plain language.
• Travel within in Canada will be required.
• Superior relationship and networking skills to build and maintain the strong network of internal and external supporters required for success in this role.
• Flexibility and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, with hard deadlines and competing, high-profile priorities.
• A demonstrated history of planning and leading initiatives and coordinating across cross functional teams to drive successful outcomes.
• Knowledge of the financial services, and/or insurance industries, and related public policy, political and media issues.
• Strong team focus. Ability to work closely and cooperatively with teammates. A positive, professional and collaborative personality, a thirst to learn and a passion for improvement.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Canadian healthcare system, including governance and delivery, and health sector issues and opportunities is an asset.
• Flexibility and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, with hard deadlines and competing, high-profile priorities.
• Relationship skills for building and maintaining professional interactions with internal clients, senior management, and external parties.
• Knowledge of the financial services, and/or insurance industries, and related public policy, political and media issues is an asset.
• Strong team focus. Ability to work closely and cooperatively with teammates. A positive, professional and collaborative personality, with a thirst to learn and a passion for improvement.
• Own Manulife’s relationship with government and regulators in the province of Quebec and undertake efforts to build Manulife’s reputation and business in the province.
• Assist Manulife’s Canadian businesses understand government and regulatory positions and initiatives to help shape business priorities and strategies.
• Represent Manulife and speak publicly and privately on the company’s behalf on topics of public policy and regulations that impact our business and our customers.
• Build relations and collaborate across industry groups, trade associations and civil society with a particular focus on Ottawa and Quebec.
• Support our global business ambitions by building relationships and exploring collaborations with Canadian based stakeholders, including provincial and federal officials, foreign embassies and consulates, academics and NGOs interested in international trade and relations in markets where Manulife has a presence.
• Be a key contributor in the company’s risk management framework by bringing perspectives on governments and public policy to assist with managing reputational risks and helping to navigate complex political, regulatory and public policy issues.
• Research and prepare internal and external reports, briefings, submissions and papers on a variety of regulatory or public policy topics.
• Create opportunities and execute strategies and events that profile the value Manulife delivers to our customers and communities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingualism – proficiency in French and English
• Bachelors degree in public policy, political science, business or a related field.
• Experience working in a regulated industry

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-Remote

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

CAN, Ontario - Full Time Remote

Working Arrangement

Remote

Salary range is expected to be between

$129,800.00 CAD - $241,200.00 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.