Chief Product Officer

Manulife•Boston, MA

15d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief Product Officer (CPO) leads the development, pricing, and lifecycle management of John Hancock’s insurance product portfolio, with end-to-end accountability for product strategy, innovation, financial performance, and market acceptance. This executive delivers real customer value, differentiates John Hancock in the marketplace, adheres to rigorous risk management guidelines, and proactively monitors key pricing drivers such as expense, investment performance and mortality. The CPO drives substantial, sustained, and profitable business growth, leverages AI and advanced analytics, and fosters a culture of collaboration and creative problem-solving. The CPO leads a large, diverse Product Development team composed of experienced professionals, including actuaries, product managers, project managers, solution owners, competition specialists, technology experts, and contract experts. The Product Development Team drives new solutions across all functions and business capabilities, ensuring launch readiness through close coordination with Marketing, Sales & Distribution, Operations and IT – and then monitors in-market reaction, taking appropriate post-launch actions to ensure market success. Position Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership & Business Growth Set and execute product strategy to achieve substantial and sustained growth, financial performance targets, and marketplace differentiation. Fully align product actions with company’s overarching ambition to help customers live longer, healthier, better lives through insurance solutions and strategic partnerships. Maintain deep understanding of product risks, success levels, and competitive dynamics. Champion the use of AI and data analytics to enhance product design, pricing, and customer experience. Oversee the competitive positioning of all products in market, working closely with Marketing, and Sales & Distribution to ensure product messages resonate Serve as accountable business owner for the life insurance application, illustration and administration platforms. Play a pivotal role in setting overall business strategy, collaborating with executive leadership and technical teams to find creative solutions to complex challenges. Take decisive actions whenever necessary to ensure business remain on track for sustainable growth in the face any emerging threats. Product Development & Innovation Lead end-to-end product development and pricing, with direct influence on marketing and Distribution. Drive breakthrough innovations, such as customer engagement programs (e.g., John Hancock Vitality) and methodologies that deliver tangible customer benefits. Oversee transformation initiatives that modernize the product portfolio and introduce new value propositions. Oversight over new business reinsurance transactions / negotiation. Risk Management & Compliance Ensure all products adhere to company risk management guidelines and regulatory requirements. Maintain bottom-line accountability for product portfolio performance and risk oversight. Talent Development & Team Leadership Build and lead high-performing teams of product managers, specialists, and actuaries. Foster a culture of collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous learning. Mentor and develop talent, ensuring succession planning and retention of subject matter experts. Partnership with Distribution Ensure products are delivered into market with winning, repeatable, messages. Work in close partnership with Distribution to ensure in-market success of products. Align product initiatives with Distribution’s feedback, market insights, and sales strategies. Support product launches and ongoing market engagement through collaboration with Distribution leadership. Monitor product sales practices to ensure products are positioned in market as intended; take swift action whenever necessary. External Representation & Thought Leadership Represent John Hancock externally with advisors, distributors, and at industry events. Deliver compelling sales presentations and thought leadership to promote John Hancock’s product innovations. Maintain close relationships with distribution partners, producers, industry experts, and influencers who shape perception of products in market. Drive breakthrough innovations, such as customer engagement programs (e.g., John Hancock Vitality) and methodologies that deliver tangible customer benefits. Oversee transformation initiatives that modernize the product portfolio and introduce new value propositions. Oversight over new business reinsurance transactions / negotiation.

Requirements

15+ years of progressive experience in product development, management, and leadership roles.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver breakthrough results.
University degree in Finance, Actuarial Science, or other relevant concentration.
Working knowledge of insurance pricing.
10+ years business-related experience, including several years of leadership of a product, project, and/or pricing teams.
Broad understanding of various distribution channels, advisor behavior, sales systems, target insurance clients, and their needs.
Deep experience with product development and project delivery processes.
Experience bringing transformational change to market.
Thorough understanding of the insurance industry and the competitive landscape for financial products.
Clear grasp of the regulatory environment for insurance and general financial services industry.
Ability to effectively lead a team across multiple locations.

Nice To Haves

M.Sc., MBA, or Professional designation such as CA, CFA or Actuarial designation would be an asset.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Business Growth Set and execute product strategy to achieve substantial and sustained growth, financial performance targets, and marketplace differentiation.
Fully align product actions with company’s overarching ambition to help customers live longer, healthier, better lives through insurance solutions and strategic partnerships.
Maintain deep understanding of product risks, success levels, and competitive dynamics.
Champion the use of AI and data analytics to enhance product design, pricing, and customer experience.
Oversee the competitive positioning of all products in market, working closely with Marketing, and Sales & Distribution to ensure product messages resonate
Serve as accountable business owner for the life insurance application, illustration and administration platforms.
Play a pivotal role in setting overall business strategy, collaborating with executive leadership and technical teams to find creative solutions to complex challenges.
Take decisive actions whenever necessary to ensure business remain on track for sustainable growth in the face any emerging threats.
Product Development & Innovation Lead end-to-end product development and pricing, with direct influence on marketing and Distribution.
Drive breakthrough innovations, such as customer engagement programs (e.g., John Hancock Vitality) and methodologies that deliver tangible customer benefits.
Oversee transformation initiatives that modernize the product portfolio and introduce new value propositions.
Oversight over new business reinsurance transactions / negotiation.
Risk Management & Compliance Ensure all products adhere to company risk management guidelines and regulatory requirements.
Maintain bottom-line accountability for product portfolio performance and risk oversight.
Talent Development & Team Leadership Build and lead high-performing teams of product managers, specialists, and actuaries.
Foster a culture of collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous learning.
Mentor and develop talent, ensuring succession planning and retention of subject matter experts.
Partnership with Distribution Ensure products are delivered into market with winning, repeatable, messages.
Work in close partnership with Distribution to ensure in-market success of products.
Align product initiatives with Distribution’s feedback, market insights, and sales strategies.
Support product launches and ongoing market engagement through collaboration with Distribution leadership.
Monitor product sales practices to ensure products are positioned in market as intended; take swift action whenever necessary.
External Representation & Thought Leadership Represent John Hancock externally with advisors, distributors, and at industry events.
Deliver compelling sales presentations and thought leadership to promote John Hancock’s product innovations.
Maintain close relationships with distribution partners, producers, industry experts, and influencers who shape perception of products in market.
Drive breakthrough innovations, such as customer engagement programs (e.g., John Hancock Vitality) and methodologies that deliver tangible customer benefits.
Oversee transformation initiatives that modernize the product portfolio and introduce new value propositions.
Oversight over new business reinsurance transactions / negotiation.

Benefits

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.

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