Director – Media Relations - Asia & GHNW Communications

Reports to the Chief Communications Officer, Asia, with a matrix reporting relationship to the Chief Strategy Officer, GHNW. The role partners closely with Asia senior leaders, GHNW leadership, regional and market communications teams, business and functional partners, and global communications colleagues to ensure aligned, integrated and locally relevant execution.

This role has a dual mandate: leading media relations for Manulife’s Asia Segment and overseeing corporate communications for Global High-Net-Worth (GHNW) business. It supports business priorities and strengthens reputation through proactive media engagement and clear, audience-focused communications.

Position Responsibilities:

External Communications, Asia

• Media Relations and Engagement: Lead Asia-wide media relations and outreach aligned with business priorities; build relationships with regional and international media; and secure high-impact coverage, interviews and executive profiles; and identify media activities, speaking and award opportunities.

• Executive Visibility and Media Preparation: Lead external communications support for selected Asia senior leaders by developing clear storylines, key messages, briefing materials and talking points, and preparing them for media engagements, thought leadership platforms and high-profile industry forums.

• Issues and Crisis Management: Monitor global and regional issues for potential implications in Asia, including close partnership with global and market leads as part of overall issues and reputation management process. Advise senior leaders on media response, develop preparedness and response materials, and coordinate timely action with Legal, Compliance, Risk, Operations and market communications teams.
• Measurement and Governance: Track and report on media performance and reputation indicators, using insights to improve outcomes. Oversee agency objectives and performance, and ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and corporate requirements.

GHNW 

• Corporate Communications and Executive Visibility: Lead corporate communications for GHNW, including internal and external communications, conferences, award nominations and executive support. Collaborate with GHNW teams to shape the communications calendar and develop key messages, communications plans and content that strengthen visibility, reputation and stakeholder understanding.

• Cross-functional Partnership: Partner with GHNW Strategy, Marketing, Distribution, Product, regional and market communications teams, and Legal, Compliance and Risk to align messaging, approvals, timing and channel activation, while providing communications counsel and content review.

• Partnership with the Strategy and Marketing functions: To support broker and distribution communications through messaging frameworks, communication plans, and review of draft materials developed by the GHNW Marketing team.
  

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 10 years of media experience, including significant regional media relations, executive positioning, issues and reputation management within financial services, insurance or another highly regulated industry.
• Strong understanding of corporate communications and the life insurance, health, protection, retirement, wealth and broader financial services sectors in Asia.
• Established relationships with regional and international business and financial media, with demonstrated success securing high-impact coverage and executive opportunities.
• Proven ability to advise senior leaders and manage stakeholders across functions, markets and levels of seniority.
• Exceptional writing, editing, presentation and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex topics into clear communications for diverse audiences.
• Strategic thinker with sound business judgement, strong media instincts and political, regulatory and cultural awareness across Asia.
• Experience leading PR agencies, managing budgets and resources, and using media insights and performance measures to improve outcomes.
• Ability to manage multiple complex, time-sensitive priorities in a fast-paced, matrixed and multicultural organization, with integrity, discretion and composure.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Business or a related discipline; an advanced degree is a plus.
• Fluency in Mandarin, Cantonese or other Asian language 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.

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].

Hybrid