Director, Competitive Intelligence & Insights – GWAM Asia

The Opportunity / Job Description

Global Wealth & Asset Management (GWAM) is a key growth segment for Manulife, operating through three different channels (Retail, Retirement and Institutional) across North America, Asia and Europe. The business operates externally under the Manulife Investment Management (MIM) brand. As of December 31, 2023, GWAM had a total of $1,054B in Assets Under Management and Administration.

Our Corporate Purpose is to “Make Decisions Easier and Lives Better” and we are dedicated to helping our individual and institutional customers achieve their financial goals. With a global presence, leading investment capabilities in both public and private markets and a commitment to sustainability, GWAM is in a unique position to offer a wide range of solutions to customers around the world.

Reporting to the AVP Competitive Intelligence & Insights, the Director, Competitive Intelligence & Insights GWAM Asia is a critical partner to help Manulife maintain competitive advantage and drive overall business growth in our Asia GWAM business. This role will partner across the team’s other Competitive Intelligence Directors to provide Asia specific competitive intelligence to form the holistic view of our GWAM market and competitor landscape. As part of the GWAM strategy team, the candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to the GWAM AVP strategy leads within the GWAM strategy team, the executive leadership teams, and other internal partners, providing key Asia market and competitor insights to support the development and execution of our strategy.

Responsibilities:

• Gather, analyze, and interpret GWAM Asia market and competitor data (including existing and new markets) to provide actionable insights to support GWAM Asia strategic planning and tactical decision-making.
• Proactively seek out and monitor industry trends, competitive activities, and market developments to identify opportunities and threats in the Asia GWAM competitive landscape.
• Build and maintain strong and productive relationships with cross-functional teams (i.e. Strategy, Finance, business leaders, etc.) to ensure competitive intelligence is a partner in driving key decisions.
• Connect industry and competitor intel to Manulife’s internal capabilities and strategies to provide actionable insights to the Asia business leadership, broader GWAM and MFC Executive Leadership, and Board of Directors.
• Identify opportunities for cross-pollination of Asia GWAM intelligence and actions across the GWAM strategy and insights team to amplify the impact of our data and research.
• Prepare and present cyclical competitive intelligence reports and findings to key stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Make recommendations on adjusting data sources, quality, and structure to evolve our intelligence capabilities.
• Work with our shared services offshore function to streamline data collection, reporting, and analysis.

What we are looking for

• 8+ years of competitive intelligence experience in financial services, with deep knowledge and experience in the Asia GWAM business.
• Professional designation (MBA, CPA, CFA) an asset.
• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to synthesize complex information and provide actionable insights.
• Ability to connect the dots and rapidly identify and surface the relevant patterns and issues.
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and driving to an answer.
• Result-oriented with an ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, prioritize across multiple initiatives, drive accountability, and develop creative solutions where blueprints may not exist.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills with demonstrated ability to articulate complex business insights in simple and impactful words, across diverse audiences.
• Ability to develop a clear position / point of view on key questions and issues impacting the business.
• Ability to work independently, get to the relevant information and cut through silos.
• Team player, collaborative, self-starter, well-organized, innovative, and high-level of initiative.

What can we offer you?

• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• A growth trajectory that extends upward and outward, encouraging you to follow your passions and learn new skills.
• A focus on growing your career path with us.
• Flexible work policies and strong work-life balance.
• Professional development and leadership opportunities.

Our commitment to you

• Values-first culture - we lead with our Values every day and bring them to life together.
• Boundless opportunity - we create opportunities to learn and grow at every stage of your career.
• Continuous innovation - we invite you to help redefine the future of financial services.
• Delivering the promise of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - we foster an inclusive workplace where everyone thrives.
• Championing Corporate Citizenship - we build a business that benefits all stakeholders and has a positive social and environmental impact.