Counsel

Manulife is seeking a mid-level corporate/commercial lawyer to join our in-house legal team and support our Canadian wealth business. This role offers a unique opportunity to directly contribute to the growth and profitability of the company while deepening your expertise in a highly specialized and impactful area of the law.

Reporting to the Vice President and Chief Counsel, Canada Wealth, the successful candidate will have relevant experience in the financial services industry, strong technical skills and a desire to work in a collaborative and agile environment.

The role is important to ensuring that Canada Wealth operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in a highly-regulated industry and effectively meets its strategic objectives, manages its legal and compliance risks and maintains a reputation with regulators and the public as a highly-regarded dealer, high-net worth portfolio manager and insurance MGA. The successful candidate will provide legal analysis, advice, counsel and direction to Manulife Wealth and Manulife Private Wealth, including its Business Development, Strategy, Product, Compliance and Operations functions. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Provide clear, practical legal support and advice on dealer, investment counselling/portfolio management, corporate and regulatory matters

• Anticipate and guard against legal risks on a variety of complex projects and initiatives related to securities and insurance businesses

• Provide comprehensive legal support for the achievement of the business’ strategic objectives and ensure daily operations are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations

• Provide specialized expertise and support with respect to the distribution of securities and life insurance

• Draft, review, and negotiate agreements, including service agreements and those related to product distribution

• Partner with internal stakeholders to support corporate and advisor transactions

• Provide legal advice on the daily operations of the dealer and MGA, such as reviewing and drafting forms and client-facing documents and communications

• Advise on the development and implementation of internal policies and procedures and risk mitigation strategies

• Monitor and assess legal and regulatory developments

• Utilize AI and other tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the legal function

Required Qualifications:

• Law degree (LL.B. or J.D.)

• Minimum six years’ relevant experience with a law firm or financial institution

• Expertise in corporate and securities distribution law, compliance and regulatory experience (CIRO, OSC)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities

• Proven negotiation and influence skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Ability to assess and balance work priorities and manage client expectations effectively

• Ability to shift focus smoothly and reassess priorities in response to changing circumstances

• Ability to display good judgment in assisting internal stakeholders in managing and balancing legal and business risks

• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities

• High degree of adaptability and professionalism

• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment

• Bilingualism (French) is an asset

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

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 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 and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact [email protected] for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.

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.