AVP, Corporate Development

The Opportunity

Corporate Development is a highly dynamic unit that is responsible for two primary pools of activity:

• Managing all aspects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures for Manulife on an end-to-end basis (i.e. sourcing deals, analysis, leading due diligence, handling overall deal management, valuation, competitive bid positioning, deal structure, deal tactics, deal negotiations, internal approval processes and presentations, integration planning oversight, closing the deal, post-closing monitoring of the deal); and
•  Other major strategic and ad hoc projects consistent with the company’s strategic plans.

To fulfill its primary mandate, the Corporate Development team proactively collaborates with Segment and business unit leadership and their teams. The working environment is heavily team oriented, and collaboration driven.

Corporate Development acts as a catalyst, enabler and partner to help Manulife’s Operating Segments execute their business strategies through M&A as a complement to organic growth.  The unit also acts as a control function on deals, to ensure that transactions are identified, assessed, valued, structured, negotiated, managed and executed in line with an established, process, and in a manner which helps manage all key areas of risk.

Reporting into the Global Head of Corporate Development, the AVP, Corporate Development, will play an instrumental role in working with business units across Manulife to implement strategic initiatives.   The role’s primary accountabilities include: 1) M&A execution 2) supporting and participating in initiatives that drive shareholder value 3) leading a team of skilled professionals with a focus on training, coaching and talent management/development.

Position Responsibilities:

M&A execution  

• Prepare strategic and financial analysis of potential transaction opportunities to facilitate Senior Management decision-making. Activities include: 
  • Assessment of potential transaction rationale and strategic fit in consultation with leaders from most relevant business unit(s)
  • Leading valuation analysis including financial modeling and estimation of synergies
  • Identifying and quantifying the potential benefits and risks 
  • Analysis of impact on total company (e.g. earnings, accretion / dilution, return on equity, capital, leverage, etc.).

• Direct cross-functional teams in evaluating, negotiating and completing merger, acquisition or divestiture opportunities that are aligned with the Company’s strategy. Activities include:
  • Organizing and leading due diligence processes.
  • Negotiating, preparing and/or reviewing legal documentation (NDA, LOI, Binding Offers, Purchase and Shareholder Agreements, Regulatory applications)
  • Lead various stages of a transaction’s life cycle, collaborating with internal functional partners and business unit leaders as well as interfacing with counterparties and external advisors.
  • Maintain relationships with external advisors to ensure that the Company is presented with relevant ideas and opportunities that align with Corporate strategy and aspirations. 
  • Development of presentations for Executive discussion/approval
• The position requires close working relationships with internal stakeholders across various business lines, Senior Executive Leadership and other functional areas (HR, Legal, Risk, Finance, Tax, Accounting Policy, Compliance, etc.). In addition, the position requires working with external parties (such as Legal, investment banking, consulting firms, etc.)
• Ensure consistent approach to M&A evaluation and application of best practices to M&A activities across business lines.
• Develop and implement frameworks, processes, and communications to more effectively identify, analyze, and present M&A opportunities
• Support strategic initiatives that drive Shareholder Value
• Provide market facing insight into proactive M&A analysis and prioritization
• Coordinate strategic and/or financial analysis supporting business unit leaders in the execution of their business plans on matters related to mergers, acquisitions and divestitures
• Keeping informed of Company-wide efficiency and effectiveness initiatives and bringing about change through the adoption of technology, infrastructure, best practice, tools and processes to improve the Corporate Development function 
• Provide thought leadership on Corporate Development initiatives and ensure compliance with standards and policies as it relates to the function.

Lead a team of skilled corporate development professionals

• Strong focus on training, coaching and talent management/development.  
• Champion a high-performance team environment.
• Contributes to an inclusive work environment.

​Required Qualifications:

• 12+ years of relevant experience, including investment banking, corporate development, accounting, and other functions that involve financial modeling.
• Valuation and transaction structuring experience, particularly with financial institutions (wealth and asset management, insurance, banking) 
• Undergraduate degree and a requirement of one of the following designations, FSA/FCIA, MBA, CFA, CBV or CPA .
• Knowledge of innovation cycle within large financial institutions.
• Confidence, maturity and credibility to deliver and present to Senior Executive leadership and business unit leadership teams
• Strong communication skills, including ability to translate complex technical issues into fundamental concepts
• Strong relationship-building skills to build effective working relationships with Segment and business unit leaders
• Highly developed financial acumen and business orientation
• Ability to influence across all lines of business and at all levels within the Company.
• Adaptability to respond to changing priorities.
• Flexibility to manage multiple and competing priorities.
• Work well under pressure.
• High level of self-motivation and keen sense of 'owning' and delivering on project deliverables.
• Willingness to travel as required.
• Global mindset and ability to work with people of different cultures and across geographies.
• Ability to effectively work in a matrix model, managing relationships with key stakeholders at various levels

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.

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, OntarioHybrid

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.

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.