Key skills
LeadershipRisk ManagementCommunicationNegotiation
About this role
Role Overview
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Strategic Partnership Managers and vendor management professionals
- Establish strategic partnership contract priorities to ensure consistency with business objectives, emerging needs, risk considerations, and long term vendor strategies
- Provide oversight of all procurement initiatives, ensuring alignment with business strategy, sourcing frameworks, and approval requirements
- Drive RFIs, RFPs, MSAs, SOWs, NDAs, and contract amendments to ensure completeness, risk mitigation, and adherence to Procurement and Third-Party Risk Management policies
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with Business Units, Procurement, Legal, Risk, Vendor Governance, and other internal partners
- Ensure vendor partnerships align with all Manulife risk and governance requirements, including risk assessments, scorecards, audits, and Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BC/DR) obligations
- Lead the resolution of complex or high impact vendor contract and service issues
Requirements
- 7–10+ years of progressive experience in procurement, sourcing, vendor management, or strategic partnerships
- Strong understanding of contract law, procurement processes, negotiation strategies, and third party risk management
- Strong leadership capabilities with proven ability to guide, develop, and enable high-performing teams
- Proven ability to influence and collaborate across functions, including executive‑level partners
- Exceptional communication skills with strong presentation and facilitation abilities
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and drive informed decisions
- Solid understanding of risk governance requirements, vendor oversight frameworks, and operational controls
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver quality results within tight timelines
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, or related field; advanced degree an asset preferred
Benefits
- health, dental, mental health, vision, short
- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage
- adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits
- employee/family assistance plans
- various retirement savings plans
- financial education and counseling resources
- generous paid time off program including holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days