Head of Advanced Markets

John Hancock is seeking a visionary and enterprise-minded executive to lead our Advanced Markets function. As VP, Head of Advanced Markets, you will set strategic direction, drive innovation, and shape the future of planning strategies for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients. This role will lead a dynamic team of distributor-facing attorneys and consultants, serve as an ambassador of the John Hancock brand in the field, and be instrumental in expanding market opportunities including, but not limited to, the Executive Benefits market. This highly visible leadership role partners across distribution, product, legal, and underwriting to deliver market-leading solutions and robust risk governance.

Position Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Team Development

• Set and execute the strategic direction for Advanced Markets, influencing enterprise priorities and segment-level outcomes.

• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing team of attorneys, consultants, and market leaders.

• Foster a culture of growth, collaboration, and professional development.

Enterprise Collaboration & Advisory

• Serve on the Insurance Leadership Team (ILT) and act as a strategic advisor to executive stakeholders.

• Champion innovation and transformation initiatives to enhance advisor experience and client outcomes.

• Lead cross-functional collaboration across product, underwriting, legal, marketing, and compliance.

Risk Governance & Compliance

• Own and evolve the Advanced Markets risk governance framework, ensuring alignment with regulatory and corporate standards.

• Represent Advanced Markets in enterprise risk and compliance governance forums.

• Maintain and refresh a risk mitigation framework supporting responsible, scalable sales growth.

Market Expansion & Thought Leadership

• Drive innovation in planning strategies for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, including estate, charitable, business continuation, retirement, and executive benefit planning.

Regulatory & Legislative Insight

• Monitor federal and state tax and estate law changes; advise on business impact and planning opportunities.

• Support government relations and advocacy efforts in coordination with public affairs.

• Monitor changes in federal and state tax and estate laws, and advise on the resulting business impacts and planning opportunities.

• Support government relations and advocacy efforts, working collaboratively with public affairs to ensure proactive engagement.

Decision Authorities

• Set strategic direction for financial underwriting practices across Advanced Markets.

• Make high-impact decisions shaping Life Insurance and Advanced Markets strategy, product positioning, and advisor engagement models.

• Drive enterprise policy development through subject matter expertise and leadership in regulatory forums.

• Represent John Hancock as a thought leader and brand ambassador at national and international industry forums.

• Oversee and direct the authoring and review of technical content, white papers, and planning guides for financial professionals.

Required Qualifications:

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in life insurance, estate and business planning, or advanced sales.

• Proven track record of influencing enterprise strategy and delivering segment-level impact.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive innovation.

• Recognized public speaker with proven ability to engage audiences.

• Familiarity with foreign national, premium finance, and high-net-worth planning strategies.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• LL.M. in Taxation.

• CPA designation.

• Experience in corporate legal departments or advanced planning groups at major life insurance carriers.

• Prior involvement with risk or compliance committees within a financial.

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.

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