Operations Strategy & Business Analytics Lead

The Operations Strategy & Business Analytics Lead plays a pivotal role in driving the development, governance, and execution of the Operations Department’s strategic priorities. This role bridges operational strategy with execution by leveraging data analytics, and business insights to support transformation initiatives and enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. Working cross-functionally with local and regional teams, the lead ensures alignment between operational goals and initiatives. With a strong focus on delivering actionable insights and continuously improving operational processes, this position is vital for achieving the organization's long-term goals and maintaining a competitive advantage.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategy Development & Execution

• Support the development of annual strategic plans, presentations, reports, and memos for leadership and forums.
• Support the Operations Strategic Planning process, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and broader goals.
• Align operations strategic goals with initiatives that deliver measurable benefits and transformation.
• Evaluate new strategic initiatives, define KPIs, assess options for decision-making, and ensure strategic goals deliver measurable benefits.

2. Business Analytics & Insights

• Gather, clean, and analyze internal and external data to extract meaningful insights and drive data-driven decision-making.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reports to track key performance metrics and provide real-time insights to stakeholders.
• Provide recommendations based on data-driven analysis to improve business processes and strategic outcomes.

3. Strategic Reporting & Monitoring

• Develop best-in-class reporting frameworks and analytics dashboards to provide real-time tracking of strategic initiatives and operational performance.
• Generate regular and ad-hoc reports to monitor operational performance, strategic progress, and transformation initiatives.
• Identify risks and proactively highlight challenges/opportunities based on reporting insights.
• Implement alert systems to notify leadership of significant deviations in key metrics.

4. Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior management, providing insights and guidance on strategic planning and business performance.
• Collaborate with local, regional, and cross-functional teams (Finance, IT, Distribution, etc.) to align data analytics with strategic goals.
• Create impactful presentations and reports for executive leadership, translating complex data into concise and meaningful insights.
• Provide training and support to stakeholders on how to interpret and leverage dashboards, reports, and analytics tools.

5. Process Optimization & Innovation

• Drive continuous improvement in reporting and analytics processes by implementing automation and best practices.
• Enhance data extraction accuracy, governance, and documentation for improved reliability and efficiency.
• Stay updated with the latest tools and trends in strategic planning, data analytics, and operational excellence to propose innovative solutions.
• Adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic environment with evolving strategic priorities, managing ambiguity while ensuring progress.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Data Analytics, Actuarial Science, or related field.
• Experience: 5-8 years of relevant experience in financial services (life insurance industry preferred), with a strong background in strategy, business analytics, and data-driven decision-making.

• Technical Skills:
• Expertise in PowerPoint, Excel, and Word with the ability to create executive-level presentations, perform complex data analysis, and generate impactful reports.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate large datasets into strategic recommendations and actionable insights.
• Experience with SQL, Power BI, Python, or other analytics tools is an advantage.

• Soft Skills:
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to improve business outcomes through structured analysis and recommendation of long-term strategic initiatives.
• Strong Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey complex information clearly, succinctly, and persuasively.
• Problem-Solving & Research: Logical approach to identifying issues, synthesizing insights, and developing sound recommendations.
• Change Management & Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with incomplete information, managing evolving priorities and driving projects forward with initiative and urgency.
• Attention to Detail: High level of attention to detail, ensuring the highest quality and accuracy of deliverables for senior management and/or stakeholders review.
• Perseverance & Collaboration: Strong work ethic, persistence in overcoming challenges, and a results-driven mindset.

• Personal Attributes:
• Initiative and Drive: Self-starter with a strong sense of ownership and urgency.
• Team Player: Collaborative mindset, effectively working within and across teams.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in ambiguous and rapidly changing environments.

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 [email protected].

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Referral Bonus (if applicable)

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 [email protected].

Hybrid