AVP, Government Relations

Manulife•Boston, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is the face of Manulife to state regulatory and legislative bodies. The role also supports broader state and federal outreach across the business, as needed. In this capacity, the incumbent develops and maintains relationships with key regulators, industry and trade associations, legislators, consumer groups, and other stakeholders to advance the company’s interests. Given the high-profile nature of the role—which requires a sophisticated insurance regulatory professional capable of operating with considerable autonomy—the successful candidate will be an exceptional communicator, negotiator, and creative problem-solver who demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing Manulife’s priorities across a wide variety of forums. Key Responsibilities: Individual Responsibilities: Deliver product, new business/rerate, and marketing approvals in a timely manner to support business unit financial goals Implement and manage the state and federal relations strategy, including meeting/call participation; drafting responses for complex state issues and position papers; supporting contracts and actuarial partners; developing regulatory tools; and setting, tracking, and executing follow-up schedules Develop and execute a focused state and federal relations strategy aligned to business priorities Lead preparation for all hearings, including serving as liaison, drafting testimony, and coordinating responses and attendance Proactively participate in legislative and regulatory forums (e.g., state, NAIC, and federal) to help shape laws and regulations and preserve a healthy, competitive marketplace Partner with lines of business as a collaborating subject matter expert for actuarial and forms filing teams Develop clear, compelling messaging to address complex and difficult objections Provide a leadership role for Legal across initiatives, projects, and key stakeholder engagements Provide input, as needed, on complex market conduct and complaint matters Provide independent leadership of the filing strategy, including drafting and negotiating approvals Demonstrate strong achievement orientation and continuously identify opportunities to improve; push for results; and motivate teams toward shared goals Lead effectively in ambiguous, high-pressure environments by providing guidance and demonstrating flexibility and resilience in a rapidly changing landscape Act as a practical risk-taker focused on continuous learning and self-development Collaborate effectively with peers while remaining highly self-driven to identify solutions, overcome challenges, and deliver objectives Operate with a high degree of autonomy in an efficient, self-directed manner Life and LTC Regulatory Environment: - Lead Department of Insurance (DOI) and legislative interactions to achieve company objectives while maintaining strong relationships with public policy makers - Develop and execute strategies to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations - Monitor and assess new legislative and regulatory proposals; determine business impact and develop response strategies to help shape laws and regulations and preserve a healthy and competitive market - Support a federal, state, NAIC, Compact, and broader regulatory environment that enables a healthy marketplace and promotes reasonable, responsible laws/regulations across key topics (e.g., rate stabilization, settlements, chronic illness, claims practices, genetic testing) - Cultivate and maintain senior DOI relationships to support rerate actions, product discussions, and filings; maintain leadership positions in trade/industry groups to drive policy favorable to Manulife, the business unit, and the industry - Provide input on ACLI/AHIP NAIC/state DOI letters and position statements New Product & Expansion Initiatives: - Partner with filing teams to respond seamlessly to multiple and/or shifting priorities, supporting management objectives and growth initiatives - Direct and advise teams on Government Relations strategy for product initiatives, as needed - Draft and/or support position papers addressing complex state issues, as required - Build institutional knowledge on new offerings (e.g., group insurance, wellness, voluntary benefits), as needed - Coordinate and manage DOI communications as well as outside counsel and/or consultants, as required Senior Management Support & GLTC Maintenance: - Advise and support senior management on product, compliance, regulatory, legislative, and industry issues; provide assistance as requested Key Shared Responsibilities: Partner with key leaders across the US Life Insurance business to obtain required regulatory approvals for new products Represent Manulife internally and externally through trade association engagement and related advocacy

Requirements

JD and/or MBA strongly preferred
Deep product, compliance, and insurance background required
10+ years of senior-level experience, with a strong background in advanced regulatory and/or legislative advocacy
Senior trade association experience highly desired
Demonstrated people leadership and management experience
In-depth knowledge of product and compliance practices
Ability to contribute technical expertise to the development and evolution of Manulife’s product management as a core competency
Market savvy, with sound awareness of industry practices and distributor expectations
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Highly developed negotiation, influence, networking, and stakeholder management skills
Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation) and strong judgment
Results orientation with an ability to think creatively and execute effectively
Strong business acumen with an understanding of business operations and associated financial dynamics
Broad understanding of Manulife’s organizational structure, businesses, and operations
Ability to work effectively across corporate functions and executive levels within Manulife and MFC
Ability to influence and collaborate within the business unit to achieve successful outcomes
Ability to translate technical concepts into business implications; strong problem-solving skills and creativity in developing analyses and presenting results

Responsibilities

Deliver product, new business/rerate, and marketing approvals in a timely manner to support business unit financial goals
Implement and manage the state and federal relations strategy, including meeting/call participation; drafting responses for complex state issues and position papers; supporting contracts and actuarial partners; developing regulatory tools; and setting, tracking, and executing follow-up schedules
Develop and execute a focused state and federal relations strategy aligned to business priorities
Lead preparation for all hearings, including serving as liaison, drafting testimony, and coordinating responses and attendance
Proactively participate in legislative and regulatory forums (e.g., state, NAIC, and federal) to help shape laws and regulations and preserve a healthy, competitive marketplace
Partner with lines of business as a collaborating subject matter expert for actuarial and forms filing teams
Develop clear, compelling messaging to address complex and difficult objections
Provide a leadership role for Legal across initiatives, projects, and key stakeholder engagements
Provide input, as needed, on complex market conduct and complaint matters
Provide independent leadership of the filing strategy, including drafting and negotiating approvals
Demonstrate strong achievement orientation and continuously identify opportunities to improve; push for results; and motivate teams toward shared goals
Lead effectively in ambiguous, high-pressure environments by providing guidance and demonstrating flexibility and resilience in a rapidly changing landscape
Act as a practical risk-taker focused on continuous learning and self-development
Collaborate effectively with peers while remaining highly self-driven to identify solutions, overcome challenges, and deliver objectives
Operate with a high degree of autonomy in an efficient, self-directed manner
Lead Department of Insurance (DOI) and legislative interactions to achieve company objectives while maintaining strong relationships with public policy makers
Develop and execute strategies to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
Monitor and assess new legislative and regulatory proposals; determine business impact and develop response strategies to help shape laws and regulations and preserve a healthy and competitive market
Support a federal, state, NAIC, Compact, and broader regulatory environment that enables a healthy marketplace and promotes reasonable, responsible laws/regulations across key topics (e.g., rate stabilization, settlements, chronic illness, claims practices, genetic testing)
Cultivate and maintain senior DOI relationships to support rerate actions, product discussions, and filings; maintain leadership positions in trade/industry groups to drive policy favorable to Manulife, the business unit, and the industry
Provide input on ACLI/AHIP NAIC/state DOI letters and position statements
Partner with filing teams to respond seamlessly to multiple and/or shifting priorities, supporting management objectives and growth initiatives
Direct and advise teams on Government Relations strategy for product initiatives, as needed
Draft and/or support position papers addressing complex state issues, as required
Build institutional knowledge on new offerings (e.g., group insurance, wellness, voluntary benefits), as needed
Coordinate and manage DOI communications as well as outside counsel and/or consultants, as required
Advise and support senior management on product, compliance, regulatory, legislative, and industry issues; provide assistance as requested
Partner with key leaders across the US Life Insurance business to obtain required regulatory approvals for new products
Represent Manulife internally and externally through trade association engagement and related advocacy

Benefits

health
dental
mental health
vision
short- and long-term disability
life and AD&D insurance coverage
adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits
employee/family assistance plans
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
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