AVP & Counsel

The Opportunity

The AVP & Counsel role provides robust legal analysis, advice and counsel/representation before the tax authorities to support different areas of the business within Manulife and Manulife respectively. In addition, the AVP and Counsel will consistently advice senior business people on strategic legal matters and mentor junior counsels.

Position Responsibilities:

• Advise on tax compliance and structuring of new and existing life insurance, annuity and long-term care products (e.g., Sections 72, 101, 817, 817A,7702, 7702A, and 7702B of the Internal Revenue Code).
• Interpret and apply federal and state income tax laws, including requirements for tax qualification of insurance products.
• Draft and review policy forms, prospectuses, endorsements, and marketing materials for tax-related content and disclosures.
• Support product filings with insurance regulators.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and judicial developments impacting insurance and retirement products, and advise business units on potential impacts.
• Assist with IRS audits, inquiries, or private letter ruling requests relating to insurance products.
• Support to all business units on compliance with federal and state tax withholding and reporting requirements.
• Assist business units in responding to customer and insurance department complaints.
• Advise on tax reporting and withholding requirements, including applicable income tax treaty provisions. 
• Review the completeness and accuracy of Forms W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E and W-8IMY submitted by foreign individuals and entities.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar.
• Minimum 5 years of legal experience in tax law, ideally with a focus on life insurance products.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. federal income tax laws.
• Familiarity with IRS guidance, court decisions, and insurance company practices concerning taxation of insurance products.
• Experience working in a law firm or insurance company.
• Strong research, drafting, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to life insurance, annuities, and long-term care insurance.
• Familiarity with IRS guidance, court decisions, and insurance company practices concerning taxation of insurance products

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.

The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

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.

We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our personal information collection statement.

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