As the Director of Product for US Retirement, you will be responsible for the strategic direction, development, and management of our retirement product portfolio. This pivotal role involves shaping the future of our retirement solutions, ensuring they adapt to the evolving needs of our clients while maintaining a competitive market position. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the 401(k) retirement plan industry, a proven track record in product management, and a passion for helping clients achieve their retirement goals.

This leadership position demands driving strategic vision, development, and management of our product offerings. It requires a comprehensive understanding of the retirement industry, exceptional product management skills, and the ability to lead teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet the needs of clients and stakeholders. By setting strategy and providing leadership, coaching, and mentoring, the Product Director will serve as a key strategic business partner and play an integral role in our ongoing transformation. We seek a leader who brings critical thinking and excels at team leadership and collaboration. The ability to work effectively with diverse partners and navigate and optimize team performance in a matrix environment is essential.

Responsibilities:

• Outstanding product management skills, demonstrated ability to deliver products involving complex stakeholders.

• Critical thinking skills with initiative, comfortable with ambiguity and adept at designing a plan of action.

• Excellent communication, ability to influence and negotiate effectively with peers and higher levels of management, both verbally and in writing.

• Ongoing product support, project management, intake request management, backlog prioritization, and provide ad hoc support for client and distribution needs.

• Drive development and prioritization, Focus on key deliverables and ensure their successful execution.

• Act as an intermediary between investment professionals, distribution channel partners, marketing, operations, and technology teams.

• Contribute to the product strategy and vision for retirement solutions, aligning with the company’s strategic objectives.

• Lead, mentor, and support teams to ensure effective execution of the product roadmap, fostering professional growth and development.

• Work with senior management, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to prioritize initiatives and make informed product decisions.

• Work with an agile development environment (SAFe preferred) within the Product Management team, ensuring alignment with Agile principles and practices.

• Monitor market trends, customer feedback, and competitive landscape to inform product strategy and innovation.

• Ensure that product development efforts deliver value to customers and meet business objectives, while maintaining a focus on quality and compliance.

• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring alignment and support for product initiatives.

• Oversee the end-to-end product development lifecycle, ensuring products are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Collaborate with sales, marketing, operations, and legal teams to delivery products, drive adoption, enhance user experience, and optimize performance.

• Plan and implement products to improve the business’s overall capabilities for serving all customers, including sponsors, advisors, TPAs, and participants.

• Stay ahead of industry trends and forces, and corresponding technology.

Required Skills:

• 7-10 years, preferably in product management or product strategy roles.

• Demonstrated ability to drive progress on key initiatives while coordinating and aligning critical dependencies.

• Experience working directly with intermediaries (BDs/RIAs/TPAs) to understand advisor needs.

• Strong skills in leadership and problem-solving.

• Ability to work collaboratively with individuals from different functional areas and varying levels of experience.

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, presenting sophisticated proposals, issues, and arguments to key partners and senior leaders.

• Deep understanding of the retirement plan industry, including regulatory requirements, plan design, and investment options.

• Strong understanding of Agile methodologies and the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).

• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and managing the product development lifecycle from concept to launch.

• Ability to think strategically and drive innovation in a fast-paced environment; strong decision-making skills, translating insights into actionable plans.

• Proven track record of successfully managing and mentoring a high-performing team.

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

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].

Primary Location

Boston, MassachusettsHybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$114,975.00 USD - $206,955.00 USD

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [email protected] for the salary range for your location. 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. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

Manulife/John Hancock 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/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.

Know Your Rights I Family & Medical Leave I Employee Polygraph Protection I Right to Work I E-Verify I Pay Transparency

Company: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)