Product Director, Database Services

📍 Job Overview

• Job Title: Product Director, Database Services
• Company: Manulife
• Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada & Boston, Massachusetts, United States
• Job Type: Hybrid
• Category: Executive / Management
• Date Posted: 2025-06-20

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead a team of seasoned DBAs and oversee all aspects of database services for the Global Wealth and Asset Management segment.
• Drive the team's transformation to enhance operational excellence and build a high-performance culture.
• Collaborate with IT and business partners to develop and implement a comprehensive database strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Modernize the database infrastructure, enhance performance, and support business growth.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive database strategy aligned with organizational goals. Lead initiatives to modernize the database infrastructure, enhance performance, and support business growth.
• Team Management: Oversee the recruitment, development, and performance of the database team. Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that encourages professional growth and excellence.
• Database Architecture and Design: Guide the design and implementation of scalable, secure, and high-performance database architectures. Ensure alignment with industry standard processes and emerging technologies.
• Operational Excellence: Establish and maintain policies and procedures for database management, including backup and recovery, security, performance monitoring, and tuning. Ensure high availability and reliability of database services.
• Security and Compliance: Implement robust data security measures to protect sensitive information and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards. Conduct regular audits and assessments to identify and mitigate risks.
• Budget Management: Develop and manage the budget for the database services department. Optimize resource allocation and negotiate with vendors to ensure cost-effective solutions.
• Customer Collaboration: Work closely with other IT leaders, business units, and customers to understand their data needs and provide expert guidance on database solutions. Support multi-functional initiatives and projects.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Stay abreast of industry trends and new technologies. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance database capabilities and support the organization's digital transformation efforts.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL, or similar) are preferred.

Experience: Extensive experience (typically 10+ years) in database management, with a proven track record of leading successful database teams and projects.

Required Skills:

• Database management (SQL and NoSQL databases, cloud-based solutions, data warehousing)
• Strategic planning and budget management
• Team leadership and development
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Knowledge of industry-standard processes and emerging technologies

Preferred Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Leadership and team development
• Innovation and technology integration
• Risk management and compliance
• Effective communication and collaboration

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

• Portfolio Essentials: Not specified for this role, as it is an executive/management position.
• Technical Documentation: Not specified for this role, as it is an executive/management position.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $120,750 - $217,350 USD per year
• 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, retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions), financial education and counseling resources, paid time off (up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time each year, and statutory leaves of absence).

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

• Industry: Financial services
• Company Size: Large (global presence)
• Founded: 1887
• Team Structure: Large, distributed team with both on-site and remote workers. The database services team consists of seasoned DBAs and is expected to have a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Development Methodology: Not specified for this role, as it is an executive/management position.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

• Web Technology Career Level: Executive/Management (Product Director)
• Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the senior leadership team within the Global Wealth and Asset Management segment.
• Technical Impact: Responsible for the strategic direction and operational excellence of the database services team, ensuring high availability, reliability, and performance of critical business data.
• Growth Opportunities: Potential growth paths include senior roles within the IT department, such as Chief Information Officer or other executive-level positions within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

• Office Type: Hybrid (combination of on-site and remote work)
• Office Location(s): Toronto, Ontario, Canada & Boston, Massachusetts, United States
• Workspace Context: Not specified for this role, as it is an executive/management position.
• Work Schedule: Standard full-time work schedule with flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

• Interview Process: Not specified for this role, as it is an executive/management position.
• Portfolio Review Tips: Not applicable for this role, as it is an executive/management position.
• Technical Challenge Preparation: Not applicable for this role, as it is an executive/management position.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

• Frontend Technologies: Not applicable for this role, as it is an executive/management position.
• Backend & Server Technologies: Database management technologies, including SQL and NoSQL databases, cloud-based solutions, and data warehousing.
• Development & DevOps Tools: Not specified for this role, as it is an executive/management position.

👥 Team Culture & Values

• Web Development Values: Not applicable for this role, as it is an executive/management position.
• Collaboration Style: Not specified for this role, as it is an executive/management position.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

• Technical Challenges: Leading a team through transformation to enhance operational excellence and build a high-performance culture. Staying up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies. Ensuring high availability, reliability, and performance of critical business data.
• Learning & Development Opportunities: Continuous learning and skill development in database management, strategic planning, and leadership. Opportunities for mentorship, leadership development, and architecture decision-making.

💡 Interview Preparation

• Technical Questions: Not specified for this role, as it is an executive/management position.
• Company & Culture Questions: Not specified for this role, as it is an executive/management position.
• Portfolio Presentation Strategy: Not applicable for this role, as it is an executive/management position.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Director, Database Services position:

• Submit your application through the application link provided.
• Prepare a compelling resume highlighting your relevant experience in database management, leadership, and strategic planning.
• Research Manulife's company culture, values, and mission to demonstrate your fit for the role and organization.
• Prepare for interviews by reviewing the job description, practicing common interview questions, and considering potential challenges and growth opportunities for the database services team.