AVP, Global People Services (Payroll & Rewards)

About the Role
The AVP, Global People Services (Rewards) is a senior leader responsible for the global delivery of payroll and rewards operations, ensuring services are accurate, compliant, efficient, and employee centered. The role oversees global payroll, regional benefits administration, and rewards-related operations supporting approximately 40,000 Manulife employees worldwide.
Leading a global team of approximately 75 professionals across North America, Europe, and Asia, this leader sets the strategic direction for payroll and rewards operations, builds organizational capability, and drives operational excellence across a complex global environment.
As a key member of the Global People Services leadership team, the AVP will define and execute the payroll and rewards operations strategy, strengthen governance and vendor partnerships, and lead transformation initiatives that improve scalability, resilience, employee experience, and business outcomes.

Position Responsibilities:

Lead Global Payroll & Rewards Services

• Lead Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery across global locations.

• Oversee payroll operations, benefits administration, and rewards-related services.

• Partner with People & Communications, Finance, Tax, Legal, Risk, and Technology teams to deliver high-quality employee services and meet regulatory requirements.

• Support complex employee matters, escalations, and global operational priorities.

Drive Strategy & Transformation

• Define and execute the global payroll and rewards services strategy.

• Lead operating model improvements, process simplification, automation, and service modernization initiatives.

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance the employee experience.

• Support organizational changes, acquisitions, business expansions, and other strategic initiatives.

Strengthen Governance & Risk Management

• Enable strong controls, policies, and operational standards across payroll and rewards services.

• Ensure readiness for audits, regulatory requirements, and compliance obligations.

• Manage business continuity and resiliency planning for critical payroll and rewards processes.

• Use operational metrics and insights to identify trends, manage risks, and drive performance improvements.

Manage Strategic Vendor Relationships

• Lead relationships with payroll and rewards service providers.

• Establish performance expectations, governance routines, and accountability measures.

• Drive service quality, cost effectiveness, and continuous improvement across vendor partnerships.

Lead and Develop High-Performing Teams

• Lead a global organization of leaders and team members across multiple regions.

• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Build organizational capability through coaching, talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement.

What Success Looks Like

• Reliable, accurate, and compliant payroll and reward service delivery globally.

• Strong employee satisfaction with payroll and rewards services.

• Improved operational efficiency, automation, and service performance.

• Effective vendor management and measurable service improvements.

• Reduced operational risk and strong audit outcomes.

• Successful execution of payroll and rewards transformation initiatives.

• High-performing, engaged teams operating within a consistent global service model.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field or equivalent work experience; advanced degree in Human Resources or International Business a plus

• 10+ years of demonstrated experience leading HR leaders and specialists in payroll, benefits administration, data management and other HR operations functions.

• Cross-cultural experience gained from working in culturally diverse environments; experience working in an international organization is an advantage

• Strong expertise in business process improvements; lean & six sigma skills are an advantage

• Demonstrated ability to create a compelling vision for the future and inspire commitment

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in global payroll, rewards operations, benefits administration, shared services, or HR operations within a large, complex organization.

• Deep understanding of payroll compliance, controls, governance, and vendor management.

• Experience leading global teams and large-scale operational or transformation programs.

• Knowledge of benefits administration, compensation operations, employee rewards programs, and service delivery models.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to operate effectively in highly regulated and control-focused environments.

• Experience with Workday, ADP, ServiceNow, or comparable HR, payroll, and case management platforms is preferred.

• Professional certifications such as CPP, CPA, or equivalent are an asset.

Key Partnerships
Global People Services, Total Rewards, People Partners, People Technology, Finance, Tax, Treasury, Legal, Risk, and external service providers.

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.

If you are applying to this role in Massachusetts, please note the salary range is $156,700 - $290,900 USD. Additionally, employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

#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

Toronto, OntarioHybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$129,800.00 CAD - $241,200.00 CAD

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.