What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, IT Systems and Operations position at manulife?
The Operations Director leads the delivery of data and technology-enabled initiatives, ensuring efficient execution, operational reliability, and alignment with business strategy. This role requires strong experience across enterprise systems, SDLC and BAU operations, and modern data platforms, along with proven stakeholder and client management capabilities. The Director oversees delivery across Agile and Waterfall environments, drives continuous improvement, and translates complex technical work into clear, actionable business outcomes. This role also provides the opportunity to lead enterprise data and technology initiatives with a strong focus on Databricks and large-scale data processing. You will drive high-impact programs that enhance platform reliability, scalability, and alignment with business priorities. The position offers exposure to senior stakeholders, modern data architecture, and the opportunity to shape and optimize critical data platforms to support data-driven decision-making and operational excellence. Position Responsibilities: Provide operational leadership across data transformation programs and Databricks-driven workflows Oversee performance of data platforms and pipelines, ensuring reliability, scalability, and service quality Drive adoption and optimization of data lake technologies and enterprise data platforms Lead teams supporting large-scale structured and unstructured data environments Partner with engineering, data, and business teams to design and deliver robust data solutions Manage stakeholder relationships, expectations, and escalations across cross-functional teams Provide reporting to senior leadership on performance, risks, and delivery outcomes Govern delivery execution across Agile and Waterfall projects Support operational planning, risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives Required Qualifications: 5–7 years of experience working with enterprise information systems within SDLC and BAU environments 5–7 years of experience working with large-scale big data environments (structured and unstructured) Strong hands-on experience with Databricks in data processing and analytics environments Familiarity with modern data architecture and data lake technologies (e.g., lakehouse, ingestion, transformation) Proven experience managing clients and engaging with senior stakeholders Experience working in Agile and Waterfall delivery environments Strong organizational, operational, and problem-solving skills Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities Preferred Qualifications: Familiarity with Moody’s AXIS, Risk Integrity, and Informatica platforms Experience working with Microsoft Azure cloud services Background in financial services, analytics, or data-intensive industries Strong understanding of modern data engineering practices Experience operating in complex, matrixed organizational environments 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, Ontario Working Arrangement Hybrid Salary range is expected to be between $125,100.00 CAD - $175,100.00 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. We're Manulife. And we’re on a mission to make decisions easier and lives better. Better is what drives us. It’s what inspires us to find new ways to support customers and colleagues in living longer and healthier lives. It’s the reason we’re dedicated to investing in digital innovation and accelerating a sustainable and economically inclusive future. Joining us means you’ll be empowered to learn and grow your career. We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words. And as part of our global team, you’ll help shape the future you want to see – and discover that better can take you anywhere you want to go. We’re proud of our accomplishments and recognitions. Recent awards include: 2024 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winner Manulife Named one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2023 Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2023 We’ve been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers (2024) Manulife included in Bloomberg’s 2023 Gender-Equality Index To receive our latest job opportunities directly to your inbox, create an account or sign in and navigate to the ‘Job Alerts’ section located in the top right corner of the page. From there, you can sign up to receive job alerts. Our ambition is to be the most digital, customer-centric global company in our industry. Learn more at https://www.manulife.com/.