GRO is a global workforce capability program that builds critical skills and accelerates early-career talent through structured development experiences. As Director, GRO Program & Human Performance Enablement, you will be accountable for the strategy execution, global operating model and performance of GRO across businesses and regions. The majority of the role is focused on GRO leadership and delivery. A critical secondary component supports selected Human Performance priorities, applying the team’s program, experimentation and change capabilities to help move recent talent products and practices from concept to pilot and adoption. This is a role for a leader who can protect reliable program delivery while modernizing the platform for the future. Report directly to the Leader of Human Performance Design & Architecture and serve as the accountable global leader for GRO strategy execution, operating model, governance, delivery and continuous improvement. Translate enterprise direction into an integrated GRO plan, making recommendations on program design, global standards, investment, expansion, delivery capacity and measurable outcomes. Lead GRO Program Managers and associated resources, establishing clear accountabilities across enterprise, regional and business delivery. Own the global GRO operating rhythm and ensure decisions, commitments, risks and dependencies are translated into disciplined execution. Contribute to a defined portfolio of Human Performance work, agreed with the leader and balanced against core GRO commitments. Use GRO as a proving ground for selected skills-based, AI-enabled and human-performance practices where there is a clear benefit to participants and the enterprise. The role being advertised is an existing vacancy. 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 industry-leading AI, 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. How you’ll make an impact Be accountable for the end-to-end global operation of GRO, including annual planning, cohort and rotation design, onboarding and orientation, development programming, manager and participant engagement, talent reviews, conversion support, offboarding and alumni connection. Lead, coach and develop the GRO Program Managers and associated program resources. Set clear priorities, allocate capacity across global and regional commitments, strengthen program management capability and create an environment where the team can test, learn and improve while maintaining reliable delivery. Establish the common standards, playbooks and controls required for a consistent experience while enabling appropriate regional and business flexibility.



Convert enterprise direction into a practical GRO portfolio roadmap. Assess business demand, workforce priorities, program readiness and delivery capacity; recommend where and how GRO should evolve; and lead the implementation of approved expansion across businesses, capabilities and regions. Run the global governance and operating rhythm for GRO, including portfolio reviews, risks, issues, dependencies, investment needs and decisions. Build strong partnerships with business leaders, HR Partners, Talent COE teams, Finance, Technology and regional stakeholders to align demand, secure sponsorship and enable delivery. Maintain a defined portion of team capacity that can deploy to priority Human Performance initiatives. Provide disciplined program leadership for discovery, design, testing, pilots, implementation and adoption, drawing on GRO as a practical environment to test and scale new approaches where appropriate. Use data and stakeholder feedback to identify improvements, inform recommendations and report progress and outcomes to the leadership team and governance forums. Lead coordinated change and communication across the GRO ecosystem so participants, managers, business sponsors and delivery partners understand the program, their accountabilities and what is changing. Ensure enterprise decisions are reflected consistently in local execution and stakeholder experience. What you’ll bring to the team
- 10+ years of experience in talent management, HR programs, HR technology or early talent program management, including 3+ years leading teams.
- Proven experience managing enterprise talent programs or HR technology platforms from launch through adoption, ideally skills, career or talent marketplace solutions (e.g., Workday, Tec

📌 Director, Talent Development (Toronto)
🏢 Manulife/John Hancock
📍 Toronto