This role leads the execution of the global recognition strategy to enhance talent management, culture, and employee engagement. Key responsibilities include managing and innovating recognition programs, analyzing data for continuous improvement, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. The role will oversee program execution, strategic planning, and budgeting while providing transparent reporting to leadership. This role requires demonstrated success in mentoring team members, fostering a high-performance culture, managing stakeholder relationships, and negotiating with external vendors. Strong leadership and collaboration skills across all organizational levels are essential for success.

Key Responsibilities:

Global Recognition Initiatives Strategy: Lead the execution of the global recognition strategy for the organization, including Stars of Excellence and Podium, ensuring it supports overall talent management, Culture and Employee Engagement objectives.

•    Act as the subject matter expert and provide thought leadership for global recognition programs, ensuring alignment with organizational policies and processes.

•    Collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to gather insights and consensus on priorities, approaches, and solution designs.

•    Align cross-functional teams, vendors and stakeholders and execute on programs. 

Program Management: Oversee the execution of our global recognition programs, ensuring adherence to project management methodologies and lifecycle phases.

•    Take ownership of strategic program plans and budgets ensuring maximization of budget to achieve program outcomes. 

•    Ensure the alignment of program deliverables with the strategic objectives of the Culture and Engagement Center of Expertise and the overall organization.

•    Lead human-centered design sessions to innovate and improve recognition programs.

•    Provide strategic guidance on escalations and complex inquiries.

•    Proactively identify deviations from project plans and develop strategic interventions to mitigate risks. Prepare and present options for resolution to senior leadership, ensuring informed decision-making.

Reporting and Communication: Develop and maintain communication and reporting that ensures transparency and accountability.

•    Present complex program updates and insights to senior leadership, providing strategic recommendations, program progress and outcomes. 

•    Package insights and data into compelling narratives for stakeholder engagement.

•    Own program data, identifying areas for improvement and driving strategic changes.

•    Provide regular KPI and metric updates to senior leaders and stakeholders.

Leadership, Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management: Foster a culture of high performance and continuous improvement within the team.

•    Mentor and develop team members, providing strategic guidance and resolving complex issues.

•    Oversee comprehensive stakeholder management, ensuring alignment with partners like IT.

Strategic Initiatives, Brand, and Communications: 

•    Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

•    Ability to effectively engage and support all levels from most junior to Senior Executive.

•    Manage relationships with external vendors, ensuring alignment with program objectives and operational efficiency.

•    Negotiate contracts and service agreements to optimize value and performance.

Qualifications:

• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in global program strategy and delivery, with a proven track record of successful delivery and strategic oversight of global programs in a complex organizational environment.

• Demonstrated experience in leading and developing high-performing teams, with a strong emphasis on people leadership, coaching, and mentorship to inspire and empower team members to achieve their full potential and contribute to organizational success.

• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively and comfortably with senior executives, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.

• Superior ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, build and nurture strong relationships across all organizational levels, and facilitate meaningful dialogue. Expertise in active listening, questioning, and feedback is essential.

• Expert in navigating fast-paced environments, adept at prioritizing initiatives, managing diverse portfolios, and maintaining a keen attention to detail amidst competing priorities.

• Proven experience in adopting a global approach to project management, engaging with international partners, and driving cross-cultural collaboration to achieve organizational goals.

• Strong analytical capabilities to assess challenges, identify opportunities, and implement innovative solutions that align with organizational objectives.

• Expert in cultivating influential relationships and establishing credibility as a trusted advisor and consultant, capable of guiding teams and stakeholders towards strategic outcomes.

• Bilingualism (English and French) is an asset. If the successful candidate is in Québec, proficiency in both languages will be required to support clients from various provinces outside of Quebec.

 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.

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 recruitment@manulife.com.

Salary range is expected to be between

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact recruitment@manulife.com for the salary range for your location. 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. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

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 recruitment@manulife.com for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.