VP, Head of Sales & Distribution

Manulife • Usa, OK

5d • Remote

About The Position

We are looking for a seasoned and visionary Head of Annuities Sales & Distribution to lead the development and execution of sales and distribution strategies for our Annuities products. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the Annuities market and a proven track record of building and leading high-performing sales and distribution teams. Individual Accountabilities: Lead the vision and execution of a dynamic Annuities sales and distribution strategy that aligns seamlessly with John Hancock’s overarching business goals. Take ownership of crafting and implementing comprehensive sales plans designed to drive Annuities sales, including identifying and pursuing new markets, customer segments, and distribution channels. Provide inspiring leadership and hands-on coaching to the Annuities sales team, ensuring alignment with sales targets and objectives. Foster a high-performance environment where team members feel empowered and motivated to achieve excellence. Utilize in-depth analysis of market trends, competitive landscapes, and industry developments to identify growth opportunities and develop forward-thinking strategies to expand market share and reach in the Annuities space. Establish and nurture strong, mutually beneficial relationships with key distribution partners, brokers, and financial advisors to build broad awareness and drive adoption of Annuities offerings across the industry. Leverage data-driven insights by developing and monitoring clear key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of sales and distribution strategies, using these metrics to make informed adjustments and optimize team performance. Collaborate closely with the life sales and distribution team, as well as cross-functional colleagues in marketing and product development to integrate sales initiatives with broader life and Annuities business strategies. Ensure a unified approach across all touchpoints to maximize the impact of every sales effort. Stay vigilant and informed about evolving industry regulations and compliance standards related to Annuities sales, ensuring all sales and distribution activities adhere strictly to legal and ethical requirements and maintaining full compliance at every step. Key Shared Accountabilities: Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with internal teams, including Marketing, Product, and Operations, to ensure seamless product delivery and customer satisfaction. Facilitate communication and collaboration across departments to align strategies and achieve common goals. Participate in cross-functional committees and initiatives to support enterprise-wide objectives. Stakeholder Engagement: Craft and deliver compelling strategic plans, persuasive business cases, and dynamic performance updates to executive committees and board members, ensuring alignment and support for sales and distribution initiatives. Cultivate and nurture strong relationships with key industry influencers and regulatory bodies to enhance the organization's reputation and open new avenues for revenue growth. Collaborate with senior leadership and external stakeholders to articulate and drive the sales and distribution strategy, showcasing progress and delivering outstanding results. Cultural Leadership: Champion Manulife's values and leadership DNA, instilling a sales culture rooted in integrity, exceptional customer focus, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Set the standard by leading through example, exemplifying ethical behavior and sound decision-making that inspires trust and drives sales success. Foster an environment of open feedback, continuous learning, and professional development within the team, empowering them to achieve peak sales performance. Job Requirements: Demonstrated leadership experience driving sales success in the Life Insurance and Annuity industry. Deep knowledge of Annuity products, regulations, and market dynamics to effectively propel sales strategies. Outstanding strategic planning and execution skills to achieve and exceed sales targets. Superior interpersonal and communication abilities to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders. Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field is required; an advanced degree and industry certifications are preferred to enhance sales acumen and credibility. Competencies: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, marketing, or a related field is required; an advanced degree or industry certifications are preferred to enhance sales expertise. At least 15 years of progressive experience in Life and Annuities sales and distribution, with a proven track record of driving sales growth and establishing effective distribution channels. Strong leadership and team management skills, with a demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate high-performing sales teams to achieve ambitious targets. In-depth understanding of Annuities products, market dynamics, and sales trends to inform and enhance sales strategies. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with external partners and internal stakeholders to drive sales success. Strong analytical acumen with the ability to interpret data and market insights to inform strategic sales decision-making. Comprehensive knowledge of industry regulations and compliance requirements related to Annuities sales to ensure adherence and mitigate risks. Ability to develop high-performance leaders and teams who will serve as the future talent pipeline for our business. Compelling leadership communication skills, with the ability to influence, persuade, and "tell-the-story" to inspire others to achieve our sales mission and vision. Ability to connect with others and nurture relationships that foster a high-performance sales culture based on trust, collaboration, and authenticity. Excel at delivering sustainable sales results by staying focused on strategy, business goals, and customer needs. Demonstrate adaptability and the ability to lead others positively through change, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in sales processes and outcomes. This role presents an exciting opportunity for a strategic and influential leader to drive significant growth in our Annuities sales efforts and contribute to the overall success of our organization. If you are passionate about shaping the future of Annuities sales and possess a strong background in this field, we invite you to apply for this great leadership position.

Requirements

• Demonstrated leadership experience driving sales success in the Life Insurance and Annuity industry.
• Deep knowledge of Annuity products, regulations, and market dynamics to effectively propel sales strategies.
• Outstanding strategic planning and execution skills to achieve and exceed sales targets.
• Superior interpersonal and communication abilities to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field is required; an advanced degree and industry certifications are preferred to enhance sales acumen and credibility.
• At least 15 years of progressive experience in Life and Annuities sales and distribution, with a proven track record of driving sales growth and establishing effective distribution channels.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate high-performing sales teams to achieve ambitious targets.
• In-depth understanding of Annuities products, market dynamics, and sales trends to inform and enhance sales strategies.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with external partners and internal stakeholders to drive sales success.
• Strong analytical acumen with the ability to interpret data and market insights to inform strategic sales decision-making.
• Comprehensive knowledge of industry regulations and compliance requirements related to Annuities sales to ensure adherence and mitigate risks.
• Ability to develop high-performance leaders and teams who will serve as the future talent pipeline for our business.
• Compelling leadership communication skills, with the ability to influence, persuade, and "tell-the-story" to inspire others to achieve our sales mission and vision.
• Ability to connect with others and nurture relationships that foster a high-performance sales culture based on trust, collaboration, and authenticity.
• Excel at delivering sustainable sales results by staying focused on strategy, business goals, and customer needs.
• Demonstrate adaptability and the ability to lead others positively through change, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in sales processes and outcomes.

Nice To Haves

• an advanced degree and industry certifications are preferred to enhance sales acumen and credibility.
• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, marketing, or a related field is required; an advanced degree or industry certifications are preferred to enhance sales expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead the vision and execution of a dynamic Annuities sales and distribution strategy that aligns seamlessly with John Hancock’s overarching business goals.
• Take ownership of crafting and implementing comprehensive sales plans designed to drive Annuities sales, including identifying and pursuing new markets, customer segments, and distribution channels.
• Provide inspiring leadership and hands-on coaching to the Annuities sales team, ensuring alignment with sales targets and objectives.
• Foster a high-performance environment where team members feel empowered and motivated to achieve excellence.
• Utilize in-depth analysis of market trends, competitive landscapes, and industry developments to identify growth opportunities and develop forward-thinking strategies to expand market share and reach in the Annuities space.
• Establish and nurture strong, mutually beneficial relationships with key distribution partners, brokers, and financial advisors to build broad awareness and drive adoption of Annuities offerings across the industry.
• Leverage data-driven insights by developing and monitoring clear key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of sales and distribution strategies, using these metrics to make informed adjustments and optimize team performance.
• Collaborate closely with the life sales and distribution team, as well as cross-functional colleagues in marketing and product development to integrate sales initiatives with broader life and Annuities business strategies.
• Ensure a unified approach across all touchpoints to maximize the impact of every sales effort.
• Stay vigilant and informed about evolving industry regulations and compliance standards related to Annuities sales, ensuring all sales and distribution activities adhere strictly to legal and ethical requirements and maintaining full compliance at every step.
• Work with internal teams, including Marketing, Product, and Operations, to ensure seamless product delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration across departments to align strategies and achieve common goals.
• Participate in cross-functional committees and initiatives to support enterprise-wide objectives.
• Craft and deliver compelling strategic plans, persuasive business cases, and dynamic performance updates to executive committees and board members, ensuring alignment and support for sales and distribution initiatives.
• Cultivate and nurture strong relationships with key industry influencers and regulatory bodies to enhance the organization's reputation and open new avenues for revenue growth.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and external stakeholders to articulate and drive the sales and distribution strategy, showcasing progress and delivering outstanding results.
• Champion Manulife's values and leadership DNA, instilling a sales culture rooted in integrity, exceptional customer focus, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
• Set the standard by leading through example, exemplifying ethical behavior and sound decision-making that inspires trust and drives sales success.
• Foster an environment of open feedback, continuous learning, and professional development within the team, empowering them to achieve peak sales performance.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of Annuities to ensure alignment between sales strategies and product designs, contributing insights to maximize market appeal and customer satisfaction.
• Develop and manage the sales budget and resource allocation to optimize performance and achieve sales targets within the Annuities business unit.
• Collaborate with finance and product teams to align sales plans with approved financial targets, ensuring sales goals are met and exceeded.
• Drive sales efforts to achieve annual revenue and profitability goals for the Annuities division, focusing on efficient cost management to maximize profit margins.
• Achieve expected market share within the first year through innovative sales strategies and market penetration.
• Lead sales initiatives for the successful launch of new annuity products, ensuring market readiness and customer engagement.
• Champion customer-centric sales strategies that prioritize customer needs and enhance the overall customer experience, fostering loyalty and satisfaction.
• Promote a collaborative sales culture that encourages teamwork across departments and with external partners, facilitating open communication and knowledge sharing.
• Demonstrate agility in adapting sales strategies to shifts in market dynamics and organizational priorities, maintaining flexibility and resilience in the face of challenges.
• Uphold integrity by ensuring ethical sales practices and transparency, building trust with customers and within the organization.

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.

What This Job Offers

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