Manager, Marketing Operations & Strategic Planning

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Manager, Marketing Operations & Strategic Planning

🔹 Company: John Hancock

🔹 Location: Boston, Massachusetts

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-24

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading operations for US Marketing, Advanced Analytics, and Behavioral Insurance teams
• Strategic planning and budget management
• Cross-functional collaboration and process improvement
• Driving marketing efficiency and impact

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in marketing operations, strategic planning, and budget management. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills and the ability to lead teams and drive results.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Collaborate with marketing leadership to define strategic priorities and ensure successful execution of marketing initiatives.

✅ Partner with team members to drive John Hancock's transformation and strategic priorities, represent the team on cross-functional work, identify issues, escalate as required, and recommend solutions to keep priorities on track.

✅ Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive marketing operations strategies that align with overall marketing and business objectives.

✅ Identify and implement process improvements to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing operations.

✅ Serve as the primary point of contact for all US Marketing compliance, privacy, and risk review requests.

✅ Lead procurement efforts for the US Segment Marketing and Behavioral Insurance team.

✅ Manage timely and accurate function-wide reporting, including the monthly marketing review (MMR), bi-weekly CMO updates, and monthly expense reports.

✅ Monitor expenses against all cost centers under Marketing, Advance Analytics, and Behavioral Insurance.

✅ Flag risks to AVP, Portfolio Oversight, and CMO when expenses exceed the plan.

✅ Serve as Business Continuity Lead for the US Marketing, Advance Analytics, and Behavioral Insurance teams.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, operational management, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will have experience in these areas and be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent (minimum 5 years) work experience.

Experience: Proven experience leading and facilitating working sessions with both teams and leaders.

Required Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Proven ability to engage stakeholders across multiple levels of the organization
• Confirmed digital acumen and experience in prioritizing and handling multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Ability to facilitate and enable clear, succinct communication between cross-functional partners
• Strong relationship-building skills to build effective working relationships with business leaders
• Experience designing, developing, and implementing marketing and digital processes and ways of working that bring agility to teams, as well as rolling out new organizational capabilities
• Knowledge of digital marketing best practices and leading measurements
• Confirmed experience working in Teams, SharePoint, and other Microsoft PowerApps

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with Adobe Marketing Solutions (CDP, Marketo, Workfront)

ASSUMPTION: The required skills for this role are a mix of technical, interpersonal, and leadership skills. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in marketing operations and strategic planning, with experience working in cross-functional teams.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,225.00 USD - $162,405.00 USD per year

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
• Retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions)
• Financial education and counseling resources

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range for this role is competitive and in line with industry standards for a manager-level position in the marketing field. The benefits package is comprehensive and designed to support the health and well-being of employees and their families.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Insurance

Company Size: 10,001+ employees

Founded: 1847 (as a life insurance company)

Company Description:

• Manulife is a leading international financial services group that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better.
• Operates as Manulife in Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.
• Has more than 40,000 employees, over 116,000 agents serving ~34 million customers worldwide, and over $1.3 trillion in assets under management and administration.

Company Specialties:

• Life insurance
• Health insurance
• Asset management
• Retirement solutions

Company Website: www.manulife.com

ASSUMPTION: Manulife is a large, global financial services group with a strong presence in the United States and Canada. The company offers a wide range of financial products and services, with a focus on helping customers make informed decisions about their financial future.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Manager

Reporting Structure: Reports to the AVP, Portfolio Oversight

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (a mix of on-site and remote work)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to take on additional responsibilities and advance within the marketing department
• Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives
• Chance to gain experience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and learn from experienced leaders

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the marketing department. The ideal candidate will be proactive, ambitious, and eager to take on new challenges.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (a mix of on-site and remote work)

Office Location(s): 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts

Geographic Context:

• Boston is a major city in the northeastern United States, known for its rich history, culture, and education institutions.
• The cost of living in Boston is relatively high compared to other cities in the United States.
• The city has a diverse population and offers a wide range of recreational, cultural, and entertainment opportunities.

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a mix of on-site and remote work, providing flexibility for employees while maintaining a collaborative and connected work environment.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video screening with the HR department
• On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Final interview with the AVP, Portfolio Oversight
• Background check and offer extension

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills and ability to engage stakeholders
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Experience in marketing operations and strategic planning
• Leadership skills and ability to drive results
• Cultural fit and alignment with Manulife's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Be prepared to discuss your experience with marketing operations, strategic planning, and budget management
• Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively and drive results in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Research Manulife and John Hancock to show your understanding of the company and its mission

ATS Keywords: Marketing Operations, Strategic Planning, Budget Management, Cross-functional Collaboration, Process Improvement, Compliance, Project Management, Digital Marketing, Communication Skills, Relationship Building, Digital Acumen, Microsoft PowerApps, Adobe Marketing Solutions

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's communication skills, strategic thinking, and experience in marketing operations and strategic planning. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate their ability to work collaboratively and drive results in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Teams
• SharePoint
• Other Microsoft PowerApps
• Adobe Marketing Solutions (CDP, Marketo, Workfront)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience working with the listed tools and technologies, with a focus on Microsoft PowerApps and Adobe Marketing Solutions.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Integrity
• Client-centric
• Reliability
• Respect
• Inclusion

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Dynamic and fast-paced
• Focused on driving results and continuous improvement
• Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do your personal values align with Manulife's core values?
• How do you approach working collaboratively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment?
• How do you prioritize and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously?

ASSUMPTION: Manulife values a diverse and inclusive work environment, with a focus on integrity, client-centricity, and respect. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate their alignment with these values and their ability to work collaboratively and drive results in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously
• Working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Navigating a large, global organization with multiple stakeholders
• Adapting to changes in priorities and work arrangements

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be proactive, adaptable, and comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. They will be able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously and navigate a large, global organization with multiple stakeholders.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on marketing operations and strategic planning for the US Marketing, Advanced Analytics, and Behavioral Insurance teams.
• Similar roles in other organizations may focus on specific marketing channels or product lines, rather than the cross-functional, strategic perspective required for this role.
• Career paths for this role may include advancement to director or vice president of marketing operations, or transition to a strategic leadership role within the marketing department.

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on marketing operations and strategic planning for the US Marketing, Advanced Analytics, and Behavioral Insurance teams. The ideal candidate will have experience in these areas and be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive marketing operations strategy for the US Marketing team
• Optimizing processes and workflows to increase marketing efficiency and impact
• Managing the monthly marketing review (MMR) and other function-wide reporting
• Leading procurement efforts for the US Segment Marketing and Behavioral Insurance team

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, operational, and cross-functional nature of the Manager, Marketing Operations & Strategic Planning role. The ideal candidate will have experience in these areas and be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the overall marketing strategy for John Hancock?
• What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
• How does the AVP, Portfolio Oversight support the Manager, Marketing Operations & Strategic Planning in driving results?
• What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the marketing department?
• How does Manulife support work-life balance for employees in hybrid work arrangements?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions will help the candidate understand the strategic context, priorities, and support structures for the Manager, Marketing Operations & Strategic Planning role. They will also provide insight into professional growth opportunities and work-life balance considerations.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for your interview by researching Manulife and John Hancock, and practicing your responses to common interview questions
• If selected for the final interview, be prepared to discuss your experience with marketing operations, strategic planning, and budget management
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within 24 hours of your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.