📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Brand and CSR Manager/Assistant Manager
🔹 Company: Manulife
🔹 Location: Tokyo, Japan
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: August 8, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting the Brand Director in executing MLJ’s unique brand value propositions and managing campaigns
- Leading CSR initiatives and integrating them into brand strategy and consumer-facing communications
- Overseeing vendor relationships and project management for branding activities
- Promoting brand values and brand governance cross-functionally
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of collaboration and stakeholder management, as well as a strong understanding of both traditional and digital marketing channels.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Brand Strategy Implementation: Support the Brand Director in executing MLJ’s unique brand value propositions, implement visual identity, determine KPIs, and identify actions for brand deployment.
✅ Brand Campaign Management: Manage campaign efforts, utilize consumer/customer insights, collaborate with creative teams, work with media planning and buying teams, and track campaign performance.
✅ Impact Agenda / CSR Planning and Execution: Lead the integration of CSR initiatives into brand strategy and consumer-facing communications, collaborate with internal teams, and craft compelling storytelling.
✅ Vendor and Project Management: Oversee relationships with internal and external vendors, ensure project milestones are met, manage project budgets, and develop governance processes.
✅ Promote Brand Values and Brand Governance Cross-Functionally: Embed brand strategy in marketing activities, develop branding training materials, collaborate with corporate communications, implement brand guidelines, and conduct regular audits.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, project management, and cross-functional collaboration, requiring strong organizational and communication skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Experience: 10+ years in brand marketing, including CSR planning and execution
Required Skills:
- Native Japanese speaker with fluency in English
- Proven track record in managing vendor relationships and executing integrated marketing campaigns
- Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills
- Able to supervise the quality of creative development, media planning, and buying
- Able to track and articulate the return on investment of branding activities
- Proven experience in executing brand strategies in alignment with global brand governance
- Ability to work effectively within a matrix organization and collaborate across different lines of business
- Excellent organization and prioritization skills
- Ability to work with ambiguity and manage change effectively
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with global brand teams and collaborating across business units
- Knowledge of Manulife’s global brand strategy and associated guidelines and frameworks
ASSUMPTION: Given the role’s focus on brand strategy and cross-functional collaboration, candidates with experience in similar roles or relevant transferable skills are encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a senior marketing role in Tokyo, the estimated salary range for this position is ¥12,000,000 - ¥15,000,000 per year. This range is inclusive of base salary and annual bonus.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive health and dental insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company matching
- Generous vacation and holiday time
- Employee discounts on Manulife products and services
Working Hours: Full-time, hybrid work arrangement with core hours between 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM JST. Flexible start and end times, with the expectation of working a total of 40 hours per week.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Final compensation will be determined through the interview process.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Manulife is a leading international financial services group operating in the insurance and asset management industries.
Company Size: Manulife has over 40,000 employees worldwide, providing a large and diverse work environment.
Founded: Manulife was founded in 1887 and has since grown into a global organization with a strong presence in Asia, Canada, and the United States.
Company Description:
- Manulife offers a range of insurance, wealth, and asset management solutions to millions of customers worldwide.
- The company is committed to helping people make their decisions easier and lives better through its financial services.
- Manulife fosters a culture of diversity, inclusion, and collaboration, with a focus on empowering employees to learn and grow in their careers.
Company Specialties:
- Life and health insurance
- Retirement and wealth management
- Asset management
Company Website: Manulife.com
ASSUMPTION: Manulife’s global presence and diverse product offerings provide ample opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior-level position within the Marketing department, reporting directly to the Brand Director.
Reporting Structure: The Brand and CSR Manager/Assistant Manager will oversee internal cross-functional teams and external vendors, collaborating with various departments to ensure brand consistency and adherence to brand guidelines.
Work Arrangement: This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, with employees expected to work on-site for a portion of the week and remotely for the remainder.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career progression into a Brand Director or similar leadership role within the Marketing department or other business units.
- Opportunities to work on regional and global branding projects, gaining exposure to different markets and cultures.
- Access to professional development and training opportunities to enhance skills and advance career growth.
ASSUMPTION: Given Manulife’s global presence and diverse product offerings, there are numerous opportunities for career advancement and professional development within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Manulife Japan’s Tokyo office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to facilitate teamwork and innovation.
Office Location(s): 200 Bloor St E, Toronto, ON M4W 1E6, CA; 223 Wai Yip St, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, HK; 51 Bras Basah Rd, Singapore, Singapore 189554, SG; 250 Bloor St E, Toronto, ON M4W 1E6, CA; Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Lombok Barat, West Nusa Tenggara 83311, ID; 25 Water St S, Kitchener, ON N2G 4Z4, CA; 223-231 Wai Yip St, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, HK; Quezon Ave 1050, Quezon City, National Capital Region, PH; 1235 N Service Rd W, Oakville, ON L6M 2W2, CA; 500 King St N, Waterloo, ON N2L, CA
Geographic Context:
- Tokyo is a major global financial hub, providing ample opportunities for networking and professional growth within the industry.
- The city offers a high quality of life, with a rich culture, vibrant food scene, and extensive public transportation network.
- Tokyo’s diverse population and international business community provide a multicultural work environment.
Work Schedule: The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility in managing work-life balance, with core hours between 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM JST and flexible start and end times.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and central office location in Tokyo provide employees with a convenient and flexible work environment that caters to their individual needs and preferences.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- In-depth behavioral and technical interviews with the hiring manager and relevant stakeholders
- Final round interview with the Brand Director or another senior leader within the Marketing department
- Background check and reference check
- Job offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Brand strategy development and execution
- Campaign management and project planning
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- CSR initiative planning and integration
- Vendor management and project governance
- Communication and presentation skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the required qualifications for this role.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and accomplishments, focusing on the impact you’ve made in previous roles.
- Research Manulife’s brand strategy and global brand governance to demonstrate your understanding of the company’s brand framework.
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to CSR initiative planning and integration, as well as your experience working with vendors and managing projects.
ATS Keywords: Brand Marketing, CSR Planning, Project Management, Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Vendor Management, Campaign Management, Creative Development, Media Planning, Digital Marketing, Stakeholder Engagement, Brand Strategy, Collaboration, Training Development, Brand Governance, Customer Insights
ASSUMPTION: Manulife’s application process is designed to assess candidates’ skills and cultural fit, with a focus on behavioral and technical interviews to evaluate their suitability for the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Marketing automation and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Marketo, Salesforce)
- Design and creative software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma)
- Video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with relevant marketing, project management, and design tools is essential for success in this role, as the Brand and CSR Manager/Assistant Manager will be expected to manage projects and collaborate with various teams to execute branding activities.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity: Acting with honesty and accountability in all aspects of our business
- Client centricity: Putting clients at the center of everything we do
- Collaboration: Working together to achieve common goals
- Inclusion: Fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected
- Expertise: Pursuing excellence in our field and continuously learning and improving
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Working closely with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common goals
- Agile: Adapting to change and embracing a test-and-learn approach to problem-solving
- Data-driven: Using data and analytics to inform decision-making and measure performance
- Customer-focused: Prioritizing the needs and preferences of our clients in all aspects of our business
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Manulife’s core values, and can you provide an example of a time when you demonstrated each value in a professional setting?
- Describe your preferred work style, and how do you adapt to different work environments and team dynamics?
- How do you approach continuous learning and professional development, and what steps do you take to stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices?
ASSUMPTION: Manulife’s company culture emphasizes collaboration, inclusion, and continuous learning, with a focus on fostering a supportive and engaging work environment that empowers employees to grow and succeed.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously, requiring strong organizational and time management skills
- Balancing the needs of various departments and business units, necessitating effective communication and collaboration skills
- Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement, which may present unique challenges in terms of communication and team dynamics
- Working with vendors and external partners to ensure brand consistency and adherence to brand guidelines across all touchpoints
- Keeping up with industry trends and best practices in brand marketing, CSR, and project management
ASSUMPTION: The Brand and CSR Manager/Assistant Manager role presents a unique set of challenges that require a proactive, adaptable, and collaborative approach to succeed.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other marketing roles, this position focuses heavily on brand strategy and CSR initiative planning, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- In the insurance industry, brand marketing plays a critical role in differentiating products and services, making this role particularly important for Manulife’s competitive success
- Career progression in this role may lead to opportunities in brand leadership, marketing management, or other senior-level positions within the organization
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other marketing positions, its unique focus on brand strategy and CSR initiative planning sets it apart and presents a distinct set of opportunities and challenges for the right candidate.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a regional branding campaign to launch a new product or service offering
- Collaborating with global brand teams to create consistent and aligned branding materials across business units
- Managing a CSR initiative focused on environmental sustainability or community engagement, integrating it into the brand strategy and consumer-facing communications
ASSUMPTION: The Brand and CSR Manager/Assistant Manager will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects that contribute to Manulife’s brand strategy and CSR initiatives, ultimately driving the company’s competitive success.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of Manulife’s brand strategy and how this role contributes to its evolution and execution?
- How does the Brand and CSR Manager/Assistant Manager role collaborate with other marketing teams, such as growth marketing, customer experience, and advanced analytics?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how can I contribute to their successful execution?
- How does Manulife support the professional development and career growth of employees in this role?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the Brand and CSR Manager/Assistant Manager in the current market landscape, and how can this role address them?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the company’s brand strategy and culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the required qualifications for this role.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and accomplishments, focusing on the impact you’ve made in previous roles.
- Research Manulife’s brand strategy and global brand governance to demonstrate your understanding of the company’s brand framework.
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to CSR initiative planning and integration, as well as your experience working with vendors and managing projects.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of your interview to express your continued interest in the role and address any remaining questions.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
