The Director & Chief Product Owner acts as the value stream lead and is responsible for defining desirable, viable, feasible, and sustainable solutions that meet end user needs. They are focused on executing continuous improvements within their value stream to ensure value is being consistently delivered to end users. They act as a bridge between the business and development teams, ensuring that the product strategy aligns with the overall business objectives, the development teams understand and deliver on objectives, and delivery expectations are set and managed with key stakeholders.
We are seeking a visionary Director & Chief Product Owner to oversee strategic direction, development, and delivery of one of our digital product portfolio value streams. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of our end user experience and driving business transformation through innovative, data-driven solutions. Acting as the voice of the customer and a key influencer across business lines, you will partner with stakeholders and technology teams to define product strategy, prioritize features, and ensure successful execution of cross-functional, large-scale initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
As the senior product leader within our SAFe Agile framework, you will own the digital product vision, manage the backlog across multiple agile squads, and mentor Product Owners to foster a culture of customer-centricity and continuous improvement. Your ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on leadership will enable you to deliver measurable business outcomes, optimize digital capabilities, and champion change across a globally diverse organization.
Position Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership: Partner across business lines and value streams to lead large-scale initiatives and ensure strategic objectives achieve intended outcomes.
- Product Vision & Strategy: Define and communicate the digital product strategy, vision, and roadmap in alignment with business priorities and global technology strategy.
- Customer-Centric Design: Act as the voice of the customer, incorporating feedback and insights to influence product direction and deliver meaningful experiences.
- IT partnership: Collaborate closely with IT counterparts, align on solution design, development, QA, and testing strategies. Work together to ensure technical feasibility, share solution concepts with stakeholders, gather feedback, and jointly determine the best path forward for delivering high-quality products.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Use advanced analytics, A/B testing, and experimentation to validate hypotheses and optimize product offerings.
- Agile Delivery: Own the product backlog and feature prioritization across multiple agile squads and initiatives, ensuring consistent delivery of business value.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Coordinate across multiple stakeholders to drive complex product development decisions, requirements, and success criteria.
- Mentorship & Leadership: Lead, develop, and mentor Product Owners to foster a culture of customer-centricity and continuous improvement.
- Integrated Planning: Partner with IT leaders to develop and manage integrated plans for initiatives, including milestone planning, testing, reviews, and approvals.
- Performance Optimization: Monitor KPIs and drive continuous improvement through data analytics and insights.
- Communication & Change Leadership: Present key insights, vision, and progress updates to stakeholders, acting as a change agent across the organization.
Required Qualifications:
- 8–10 years of experience leading cross-functional teams and initiatives using SAFe/Scrum methodologies in a complex, globally diverse organization.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related discipline; post-graduate degree preferred.
- At least 5 years of industry experience with individual insurance and wealth products, service processes, and customer needs.
- Proven track record in digital strategy and transformation within financial services, with strong knowledge of emerging digital technologies.
- Familiarity with agile development methodologies, release management, and tools such as JIRA and Confluence.
- Strong ability to adapt to change and understand the impact of emerging technologies.
- Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels.
- Experience with data analytics, change management, and digital engagement strategies.
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 setting 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.
Referenced Salary Location
Waterloo, Ontario
Working Arrangement
Salary range is expected to be between
$118,300.00 CAD - $168,300.00 CAD The Director & Chief Product Owner acts as the value stream lead and is responsible for defining desirable, viable, feasible, and sustainable solutions that meet end user needs. They are focused on executing continuous improvements within their value stream to ensure value is being consistently delivered to end users. They act as a bridge between the business and development teams, ensuring that the product strategy aligns with the overall business objectives, the development teams understand and deliver on objectives, and delivery expectations are set and managed with key stakeholders.
We are seeking a visionary Director & Chief Product Owner to oversee strategic direction, development, and delivery of one of our digital product portfolio value streams. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of our end user experience and driving business transformation through innovative, data‑driven solutions. Acting as the voice of the customer and a key influencer across business lines, you will partner with stakeholders and technology teams to define product strategy, prioritize features, and ensure successful execution of cross‑functional, large‑scale initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
As the senior product leader within our SAFe Agile framework, you will own the digital product vision, manage the backlog across multiple agile squads, and mentor Product Owners to foster a culture of customer‑centricity and continuous improvement. Your ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on leadership will enable you to deliver measurable business outcomes, optimize digital capabilities, and champion change across a globally diverse organization.
Position Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership: Partner across business lines and value streams to lead large‑scale initiatives and ensure strategic objectives achieve intended outcomes.
- Product Vision & Strategy: Define and communicate the digital product strategy, vision, and roadmap in alignment with business priorities and global technology strategy.
- Customer-Centric Design: Act as the voice of the customer, incorporating feedback and insights to influence product direction and deliver meaningful experiences.
- IT partnership: Collaborate closely with IT counterparts, align on solution design, development, QA, and testing strategies. Work together to ensure technical feasibility, share solution concepts with stakeholders, gather feedback, and jointly determine the best path forward for delivering high-quality products.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Use advanced analytics, A/B testing, and experimentation to validate hypotheses and optimize product offerings.
- Agile Delivery: Own the product backlog and feature prioritization across multiple agile squads and initiatives, ensuring consistent delivery of business value.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Coordinate across multiple stakeholders to drive complex product development decisions, requirements, and success criteria.
- Mentorship & Leadership: Lead, develop, and mentor Product Owners to foster a culture of customer‑centricity and continuous improvement.
- Integrated Planning: Partner with IT leaders to develop and manage integrated plans for initiatives, including milestone planning, testing, reviews, and approvals.
- Performance Optimization: Monitor KPIs and drive continuous improvement through data analytics and insights.
- Communication & Change Leadership: Present key insights, vision, and progress updates to stakeholders, acting as a change agent across the organization.
Required Qualifications:
- 8–10 years of experience leading cross-functional teams and initiatives using SAFe/Scrum methodologies in a complex, globally diverse organization.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related discipline; post‑graduate degree preferred.
- At least 5 years of industry experience with individual insurance and wealth products, service processes, and customer needs.
- Proven track record in digital strategy and transformation within financial services, with strong knowledge of emerging digital technologies.
- Familiarity with agile development methodologies, release management, and tools such as JIRA and Confluence.
- Strong ability to adapt to change and understand the impact of emerging technologies.
- Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels.
- Experience with data analytics, change management, and digital engagement strategies.
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.
マニュライフとジョン・ハンコックについて
マニュライフ・ファイナンシャル・コーポレーションは、「あなたの未来に、わかりやすさを」を提供する、国際的な大手金融サービスプロバイダーです。当社について詳しくは、 https://www.manulife.co.jp/ lをご覧ください。
マニュライフは機会均等を是とする雇用主です
マニュライフ/ジョン・ハンコックでは、多様性を受け入れます。私たちは、サービス提供先であるお客さまと同様に、多様な人材を引きつけ、育成し、定着させ、文化や個人の力を受け入れる包括的な職場環境を促進するよう努めています。当社は公正な採用、定着、昇進、報酬に努めています。当社のすべての慣行およびプログラムは、人種、祖先、出身地、肌の色、民族的出自、市民権、宗教または宗教的信念、信条、性別（妊娠および妊娠関連の状態を含む）、性的指向、遺伝的特徴、退役軍人としての地位、性自認、性に関する表明、年齢、婚姻状況、家族状況、障害、または適用法で保護されるその他の要因に対する一切の差別を行うことなく管理されます。
雇用への平等なアクセスを提供するために、障壁を取り除くことが当社の優先事項です。人事担当者は、応募者が応募プロセス中に合理的配慮を要求する場合に協力します。配慮要求のプロセス中に共有されるすべての情報は、適用される法律およびマニュライフ/ジョン・ハンコックのポリシーに準拠した方法で保存および使用されます。申請プロセスにおいて合理的配慮を要求するには、
[email protected] までご連絡をお願いします。
Referenced Salary Location
Waterloo, Ontario
Working Arrangement
ハイブリッド勤務
Salary range is expected to be between
$118,300.00 CAD - $168,300.00 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
[email protected] 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
[email protected] 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.
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We believe that embracing inclusion is the key to creating a stronger, more resilient organization. It’s not just a value - it’s a strategic advantage that sets us apart.
📌 Director & Chief Product Owner (London)
🏢 Manulife
📍 London