Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Manulife is a leading international financial services provider, and they are seeking a Chief Operating Officer for Western U.S. Agriculture Operations. This role is responsible for overseeing property operations, maximizing return on investment, and ensuring compliance while fostering a collaborative culture and driving operational excellence.
Responsibilities
- Recruit, train, and develop high-performing teams
- Provide coaching and mentorship to expand team capabilities and leadership skills
- Foster a collaborative culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Promote cross-functional teamwork to achieve shared goals
- Oversee day-to-day property operations across multiple regions
- Implement strategies that align with stakeholder needs and company objectives
- Drive efficiency initiatives and cost optimization measures, driving towards improved ROI
- Promote transparent communication of KPI’s and performance metrics to develop ownership and alignment across all business units
- Develop and manage annual operating budgets and capital expenditure plans
- Monitor performance against KPIs and adjust strategies as needed
- Communicate variances and operational challenges to the portfolio management and client service leads promptly
- Build strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure competitive pricing, favorable terms, and exceptional service
- Lead with a de-risking mindset to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal governance
- Lead organizational planning efforts, including workforce planning and organizational design
- Support major change initiatives such as mergers, system implementations, or restructuring
- Champion change management strategies to ensure adoption and smooth transitions
- Provide regular reports and insights to the Head of Asset Management, and at times, the platform leadership team
- Communicate operational priorities, progress, and performance to internal teams
- Ensure transparency and alignment across organizational levels
Skills
- Proven experience leading large teams in complex agricultural operations
- Proven ability to build and sustain a positive team culture while delivering operational results
- Established network with market participants (industry boards, associations, processors, crop consultants, etc.)
- Strong knowledge of permanent crop management and marketing
- Exceptional communication, presentation and negotiation skills
- Strong interpersonal skills with a focus on collaboration and conflict resolution
- Highly entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to drive initiatives to completion
- Advanced financial acumen, including budgeting and cost analysis
- Proficiency in sustainable practices, technology and data-driven decision-making
- Ability to thrive under pressure in a fast-paced environment
- Willingness to travel extensively (50+%)
Benefits
- Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.
- Manulife/John Hancock 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/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources.
- Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.
Company Overview