Manager, Marketing Strategy & Chief of Staff

General Description
Manulife Japan's ambition is to be recognized as a reliable partner and expert in wealth accumulation and retirement planning, delivering sustainable growth through differentiated capabilities in digital, AI and customer experience.

Japan Marketing plays a central role in delivering this ambition by advancing the following strategic priorities:

· Establishing the Manulife Japan brand as a trusted and reliable partner and expert in wealth and retirement.

· Developing differentiated wealth and retirement propositions that are communicated simply and clearly.

· Investing in personalization to support customers in making informed decisions and improve distributor efficiency.

· Delivering frictionless customer and distributor experiences through Human-Centred Design practices.

· Becoming AI-led through well-adopted GenAI tools that enable scale, efficiency and differentiation.

· Building Marketing capabilities across AI, Longevity and Customer Experience to support future growth.

The Manager, Marketing Strategy & Chief of Staff is responsible for helping shape, align and accelerate the Japan Marketing agenda by connecting strategy, execution and organizational effectiveness across AI, Longevity and Customer Experience.

Reporting directly to the Chief Marketing Officer, the Manager, Marketing Strategy & Chief of Staff serves as a trusted strategic advisor and execution partner to the CMO. The role works closely with the Marketing Leadership Team, including leaders across AI, Brand and Thought Leadership, Propositions, Growth Marketing and Customer Experience, to translate Marketing priorities into integrated programs, roadmaps and measurable business outcomes.

The role collaborates with partners across Japan, Regional and Global teams, as well as Distribution, Operations, Technology, Finance and Human Resources, to implement strategic initiatives, maximize synergies and strengthen Marketing’s contribution to customer, distributor and business outcomes.

The individual will also support the CMO in driving organizational effectiveness, leadership alignment, strategic communications, employee engagement, governance and capability development across the Japan Marketing function.

This is a high-impact role that requires strong strategic leadership, emotional intelligence, business acumen and analytical capability. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication, stakeholder management, collaboration and influencing skills.

Responsibilities & Accountabilities
The Manager, Marketing Strategy & Chief of Staff will work closely with local, regional and global leaders to deliver Japan’s Marketing strategic priorities, create commercial value and maximize collaboration across the organization.

• Co-develop high-impact strategies and execute strategic initiatives that drive sustainable and profitable growth

• Partner with the CMO and Marketing Leadership Team to develop strategic plans and execution roadmaps aligned with the annual business plan and Marketing priorities.

• Translate strategic priorities into actionable initiatives, clear ownership, measurable outcomes and execution plans.

• Lead high-priority, cross-functional initiatives and project teams from concept through execution.

• Support the evaluation and sizing of new growth opportunities, including the development of business cases and clearly defined financial and non-financial success measures.

• Apply market trends, customer insights, competitive intelligence and performance data to strategic planning and decision-making.

• Build strong relationships with partners across Distribution, Operations, Technology, Finance, Human Resources and other relevant functions.

• Support the timely, clear and engaging communication of Marketing results and progress against strategic priorities.

• Drive integration across AI, Longevity and Customer Experience

• Partner with leaders across AI, Customer Experience, Brand and Thought Leadership, Growth Marketing and Propositions to strengthen alignment and integrated execution.

• Identify opportunities where AI, Longevity and Customer Experience capabilities can work together to create differentiated value for customers, distributors and the business.

• Facilitate cross-functional planning and prioritization to align strategic initiatives with enterprise objectives and customer outcomes.

• Support the development of a cohesive strategic narrative across Marketing’s growth and transformation agenda.

• Identify opportunities to apply AI-enabled solutions, customer insights and longevity expertise to improve business performance and customer and distributor outcomes.

• Promote enterprise thinking, shared ownership and collaboration across teams to reduce duplication and maximize strategic impact.

• Oversee strategic financial planning, budgeting and expense management to optimize investment and commercial return

• Provide strategic oversight of Marketing’s Book of Work to ensure initiatives and business cases are aligned with agreed strategic outcomes.

• Support the annual Marketing strategy, planning and budget process in collaboration with Finance and the Marketing Leadership Team.

• Facilitate evidence-based prioritization and resource allocation discussions across Marketing teams.

• Monitor actual expenditure, forecasts and key financial and non-financial performance indicators.

• Translate performance data into insights and recommendations that support informed strategic decisions and timely adjustments.

• Advance strategic cost management initiatives that improve operational efficiency, effectiveness and return on Marketing investment.

• Ensure clear governance and seamless execution to maintain transformation momentum

• Support the CMO in ensuring the effective operation of the Office of the CMO and delivery of the broader Marketing agenda.

• Oversee strategic initiatives against agreed financial and non-financial objectives, ensuring that clear action plans are in place to address risks or gaps.

• Develop fit-for-purpose governance models and operating cadences that promote accountability without creating unnecessary complexity.

• Monitor delivery against agreed plans, identify dependencies and risks, and facilitate timely issue resolution.

• Prepare executive-level presentations, business reviews, strategic recommendations and leadership communications.

• Communicate Marketing priorities, performance, areas requiring attention and transformation progress clearly across the organization.

• Manage requests for reporting, analysis and updates from Japan executives and Regional and Global stakeholders.

• Orchestrate leadership and broader team meeting agendas to support effective decisions, alignment and follow-through.

• Co-develop a high-performing Marketing organization with a one-team mentality

• Support the CMO in driving organizational effectiveness, leadership alignment and employee engagement across Japan Marketing.

• Develop approaches that strengthen collaboration, shared accountability and a one-team culture.

• Advocate for Marketing-led transformation and new ways of working across the organization.

• Promote experimentation, continuous learning and improvement, while ensuring appropriate governance and accountability.

• Support capability development across Marketing, particularly in AI, Longevity, customer-centricity and Human-Centred Design.

• Support the CMO and Marketing Leadership Team in identifying, developing and retaining talent and building the organizational capabilities required to deliver future growth.

• Encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration across teams, functions and markets.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies/Education:

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen and commercial judgment.

• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder management and leading cross-functional initiatives.

• Ability to translate strategic priorities into actionable roadmaps, measurable outcomes and effective execution.

• Strong analytical capability, including data-driven problem-solving and decision-making.

• Ability to influence and align senior leaders and stakeholders across different functions and organizational levels.

• Collaborative mindset, high emotional intelligence and the ability to build trusted relationships.

• Excellent presentation, writing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex messages clearly and concisely.

• Experience preparing executive-level presentations, strategic recommendations and communications for senior leadership audiences.

• Strong knowledge of project and program management disciplines, including planning, prioritization, risk management and stakeholder coordination.

• Financial acumen and experience supporting strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting and investment prioritization.

• Understanding of emerging AI technologies and their application to business transformation, customer experience, productivity and operational efficiency.

• Experience promoting organizational change, new ways of working and cross-functional collaboration.

• Self-motivated, adaptable and able to operate independently in a complex and fast-moving environment.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes under tight deadlines.

• Commitment to role-modelling Manulife’s values and supporting an inclusive working environment.

Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in marketing, business, finance or equivalent, with minimum 5+ years of experience

• Previous strategy experience with a top-tier strategy consulting firm and/or past relevant experience in multi-national top tier life insurance company

• Strong business acumen and highly developed communication and relationship skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Japanese, with English an advantage for senior and regional colleague engagements

Challenges:

• Aligning the priorities and interests of multiple stakeholders

• Translating broad or evolving strategic priorities into clear, actionable and measurable execution plans.

• Driving collaboration and shared ownership across teams with different objectives, expertise and ways of working.

• Managing multiple high-priority deliverables within short turnaround times while coordinating inputs from stakeholders with different levels of urgency.

• Balancing strategic leadership and long-term transformation priorities with immediate operational requirements.

• Maintaining momentum across complex initiatives.

• Overcoming resistance to change, reducing organizational silos and promoting new ways of working.

• Ensuring effective governance and accountability without creating unnecessary processes or slowing execution.

• Identifying and escalating emerging risks, gaps and trade-offs to support timely leadership decisions.

Internal Guidelines about Work from Home:

Hybrid Model, following Manulife’s Working Better guidelines.

Over time:

0-40 hours/month.

Salary:

Based on our Work Rules, we will consider your experience, skills and knowledge when we decide the salary.

Commutation allowance and Variable Incentive Bonus are paid based on our Work Rules.

Working Hours:

Standard Working Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm (Include 1 hour break. Flex-time system available)

Benefits:

Social Insurance (Health Insurance, Employees' Pension, Unemployment Insurance, Worker's Accident Insurance), Benefit One, Training system (include Japanese lesson / English lesson), Childcare Leave/Family care Leave, Baby-sitter support program, wiwiw System (Support program for those who take Childcare Leave), Retirement Pension (only for Regular employee).

Holidays/Vacations:

Saturdays and Sundays

National Holidays

Year-end and new year holidays (December 30, December 31, January 2 and January 3)

Annual Paid Holiday

For Regular employee, other special holidays are available (e.g. Anniversary Leave, etc.)

Location:

Hatsudai Head Office, Tokyo Opera City, 3-20-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan

What motivates you?

· You obsess about customers, listen, engage and act for their benefit

· You think big, with curiosity to discover ways to use your agile mindset and enable business outcomes

· You thrive in teams, and enjoy getting things done together

· You take ownership and build solutions, focusing on what matters

· You do what is right, work with integrity and speak up

· You share your humanity, helping us build a diverse and inclusive work environment for everyone

Our commitment to you

• Our mission; to be a part of making Decisions Easier and Lives Better

• A leadership team dedicated to your growth and success

• A bold ambition and set of goals to be a leader in driving transformation in our industry

• Our best. Every day.

Learn more about opportunities with us at jobs.manulife.com

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit .

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [email protected].

Hybrid