Retention Sales Director

Manulife • Time, IL

4d • $110,000 - $190,700 • Remote

About The Position

The Retention Sales Director (RSD) is a senior, client-facing sales leader responsible for protecting and growing Manulife John Hancock’s Mid-Large retirement plan business through proactive retention strategies, risk management, and high-impact renewal execution. This role serves as the strategic quarterback for retention efforts—partnering closely with Relationship Management and internal stakeholders to strengthen client loyalty, address retention risk, and lead complex due diligence processes. This position offers meaningful visibility and influence across the organization, with the opportunity to shape client experience, preserve assets, and lead high-stakes engagements across corporate plans $50m+ and Taft-Hartley plans.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ years of experience in the retirement plan industry (Defined Contribution, Defined Benefit, and Non-Qualified plans)
• Demonstrated success in retention, sales, or relationship management within the Mid-Large retirement market
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder negotiations and renewal cycles.
• Strong analytical and strategic decision-making capabilities, including pricing and competitive positioning
• Active and maintained licenses (Life Insurance and Series 6 or equivalent)
• Ability to travel up to 40%

Nice To Haves

• Deep knowledge of ERISA regulations and plan design across DC, DB, and non-qualified plans
• Strong financial acumen applied to pricing strategy and value-based decision making
• Executive-level presentation, storytelling, and consultative selling capabilities
• Proven ability to influence advisors, consultants, plan sponsors, and internal stakeholders
• Experience driving cross-functional collaboration in complex, fast-paced environments

Responsibilities

• Own and execute the retention strategy for Mid-Large Corporate and Taft-Hartley clients, directly impacting asset retention, revenue durability, and long-term franchise value.
• Proactively identify, quantify, and manage retention risk by managing a forward-looking pipeline of at-risk and due diligence relationships.
• Develop and execute sponsor-level action plans in partnership with Relationship Management to protect assets, strengthen relationships, and uncover growth opportunities.
• Lead all aspects of due diligence events, including RFI/RFP strategy, response execution, finalist presentations, and contract negotiations.
• Design and implement loyalty and engagement programs that enhance client experience and reduce systemic retention risk.

Benefits

• 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.
• various retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions)
• financial education and counseling resources.
• 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
• full range of statutory leaves of absence.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior