Manager, GWAM Communications

Reporting to the Head of GWAM North America and Europe Communications, your be joining a world-class team responsible for helping to support GWAM’s ambition and strategic priorities through the development and execution of clear, consistent, and compelling communications -- both internal and external -- that protects and strengthens GWAM’s reputation and informs, engages, and inspires colleagues. In this role, while you will have opportunities to work across GWAM, your initial areas of focus will be working closely with the Directors of communications for the Global Retirement and North America Retail business lines, with an emphasis on media relations. 

Position Responsibilities:

Executive and Internal Communications 

• Drive comprehensive executive communications support (emails, town halls, presentations, speeches) for senior leaders. 

• Develop integrated communications plans and measure outcomes to ensure effectiveness. 

• Build strategic partnerships across segments and global teams to connect colleagues to mission, strategy, and culture. 

• Collaborate with global communications partners for consistent messaging, positioning, timing, and language. 

• Direct and liaise with service providers (branding/creative, translation, web, production). 

• Support transformation, change, engagement, people, culture, and brand initiatives. 

External Communications & Media Relations 

• Develop and execute media relations strategies aligned with business goals and brand positioning. 

• Build and maintain relationships with top-tier financial services, trade, online, print, and broadcast media. 

• Identify earned-media opportunities and lead proactive storytelling highlighting leadership, products, and innovation. 

• Serve as a media contact: manage inquiries, coordinate interviews, and provide timely, accurate information. 

• Draft press releases, bylined articles, media pitches, statements, briefing documents, Q&As. 

• Monitor media coverage and industry trends; prepare insights and reporting for stakeholders. 

• Prepare spokespeople with training/coaching and high-quality briefing materials. 

• Collaborate closely with internal communications, marketing, legal, and business teams for alignment and risk mitigation. 

• Provide support during issues / crisis communications with timely escalation and coordinated response. 

• Partner with Thought Leadership and Executive Visibility teams to drive integrated storytelling; contribute to integrated communications plans across the global network. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, or related field. 

• 5-7+ years in media relations, with demonstrated earned-media results. 

• Experience in executive communications -- emails, town halls, presentations, speeches, thought leadership, -- a plus

• At ease advising and partnering with senior executives; strong influence / negotiation and consensus-building skills. 

• Outstanding writing and storytelling; ability to simplify complex topics. 

• Digital-first mindset; strong attention to detail; proactive self-starter with urgency and initiative. 

• Ability to balance multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, transformational environment. 

• Advanced proficiency in Office 365; ability to work independently and as part of a distributed team. 

• Strong media relations acumen; established relationships with business / finance media are a plus. 

• Operates calmly under pressure; manages sensitive issues with discretion. 

• Strong project management; cross-functional collaboration. 

• Knowledge of financial services and asset management media is a plus; flexibility for global time zones and occasional travel to staff executives. 

When you join our team:

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.

• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.

• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

#LI-Hybrid 
#LI-JH
 

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 https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

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].

Referenced Salary Location

Salary range is expected to be between

Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [email protected] for the salary range for your location.

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.

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