Head of Distribution Strategy

About the role

Manulife Japan is looking for a Head of Distribution Strategy to act as a strategic partner to the Chief Distribution Officer and channel heads. The role leads the integration of distribution strategies across Independent Agency, Financial Institutions and Captive Agency channels and reports to the Head of Distribution Strategy Headquarters. It balances mid- to long-term strategic direction with annual sales execution, and works across channels and with Product, Marketing, Transformation and Technology.

Key responsibilities

• Define and refine channel and overall distribution strategies with the CDO and channel heads, turning them into annual sales plans, targets and initiatives, covering productivity uplift, activation, recruitment and cross-sell.
• Establish and evolve KPI frameworks to monitor sales effectiveness and channel performance, lead business reviews with senior Distribution leadership and drive targeted interventions.
• Lead initiatives on segmentation, coverage models, incentive design and sales processes, supporting next-generation distribution models that use digital and AI approaches.
• Drive cross-channel alignment and initiatives that scale best practices, acting as a bridge between Distribution and Product, Marketing, Transformation and Technology.
• Collect and analyse market, competitor and customer intelligence and turn it into growth initiatives, including product and go-to-market implications.

Required profile

• Experience at a strategy consulting firm (e.g. McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Big4, Accenture) or in a comparable corporate strategy, business planning or sales strategy role.
• Experience driving initiatives from concept through strategy building and execution, working closely with the field and business functions.
• Domain knowledge in insurance or retail financial services is a plus.
• Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English (mandatory).
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience; MBA and consulting experience preferred.

Required skills

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and facilitation skills.
• Leadership ability to develop teams while delivering hands-on results.

What we offer

• A flat organizational structure with flexible work arrangements, including full-flex and hybrid options.
• Long-term career development supported by global networks and mobility programs, including collaboration with Regional and Group teams.