AVP, Expense Management and Cost Transformation, Sun Life Canada

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

Reporting to the VP & CFO, Canadian Operations, CXO and Expense Management COE, this role will be responsible for leading expense management and cost transformation mandate across Sun Life Canada. The ideal candidate will be a passionate, eager, and curious finance professional with deep knowledge of expense/cost management and drivers of cost. They should be self-driven with the ability to work collaboratively, with minimal supervision.  The successful candidate will build and foster relationships with leaders across the organization, including senior leaders; they will  impact and influence behavioural cost changes; and optimize and transform the existing function leveraging technology and continuous improvement practices.

Key accountabilities of the role include:

• Financial Planning, Analysis and Reporting
  • Oversee complex financial reporting & analysis for Central Canada Finance and Corporate; aggregating BU analysis into one narrative for Canada, with the ability to dive deep independently as needed
  • Present results and analysis to senior management
  • Provide strategic insights on cost drivers and financial performance

• Cost Management and Transformation
  • Design and implement cost optimization strategies across Corporate Support and Shared Business Services
  • Leverage data sciences to understand trends and identify areas for improvement
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders to identify opportunities for efficiency
  • Develop innovative solutions, including leveraging automation and other technologies, to enhance financial discipline
  • Lead the planning and execution of Finance Reimagine for the Canadian finance team

• Strategic Initiative Execution
  • Manage and execute strategic cost-related initiatives
  • Influence and negotiate with Senior Executives to ensure appropriate solutions and outcomes aligned with strategic objectives

• Finance Transformation:
  • Reimagine how we work, driving simplicity, scale and automation.
  • Leverage new and emerging technologies to automate, create capacity and/or efficiencies

• Building and Leading High-Performing Teams
  • Foster and build a positive, engaging, and inclusive team environment
  • Develop and mentor team members to enhance their skills and performance
  • Lead through change, inspiring and motivating team members during transformation initiatives
  • Lead a global team in different time zones, including offshore partners.

Required Qualifications:

• Finance and accounting designation (CPA, etc.) with 10+ years of Insurance and/or Financial Services industry experience
• Strategic mindset, being able to understand the Sun Life Canada businesses and operations to support greater value add insights and analytics and recommendations for change
• Demonstrated expertise in expense/cost management and deep understanding of cost drivers - Strong financial acumen and analytical skills
• Demonstrated experience driving change, transformation and/or optimization workstreams
• Proven ability to lead and motivate teams through periods of change
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Experience with financial planning tools (e.g., SAP, Hyperion Planning and Reporting, Tableau, etc…)
• Understanding of new and emerging technology to support deeper and more meaningful analytical work (i.e. Alteryx, Python, etc…)
• Solid ability to build and deliver presentation in a concise and effective manner for a senior audience
• The successful candidate will be a dynamic leader who is passionate about driving cost transformation, building high-performing teams, and leading through change. They must be eager to tackle complex financial challenges and curious about innovative approaches to expense management.
• As this position is posted in several locations, we specify that bilingualism (French, English, both oral and written) is required for Quebec residents only as the position includes managing both French and English-speaking staff (Quebec and outside Quebec) and providing daily support to the team.

Note: This role supports the quarter end process and may require work beyond normal business hours.

What’s in it for you?

• Great Place to Work® Certified for Most Trusted Executive Team in Canada – 2025, 2024 and 2023
• Great Place to Work® Certified for Best Workplaces in Canada - 2025
• Canada Order of Excellence for Mental Health at Work® certification from Excellence Canada. Sun Life is one of only four companies in Canada to ever receive this certification – 2024
• Top Work Places® for Remote Work – Monster Canada - 2024
• Great Place to Work® Certified for Best Workplaces in Canada – 2024 and 2022
• Great Place to Work® Certified for Best Workplaces for Women in Canada - 2024
• Flexible hybrid work model. #LI-Hybrid
• Pension, stock and savings programs to help build and enhance your future financial security
• Work and professional development that is united by our Purpose: to help Clients and Employees achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives
• A friendly, collaborative and inclusive culture
• Be part of our continuous improvement journey in developing the next greatest digital enterprise experience.
• Competitive salary and bonus structure influenced by market range data
• The opportunity to move along a variety of career paths with amazing networking potential

The Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted.  It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors.  In addition to Base Pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans, payment under which is discretionary and subject to individual and company performance.  Certain sales focused roles have sales incentive plans based on individual or group sales results. 

Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process or those needing job postings in an alternative format may e-mail a request to thebrightside@sunlife.com.

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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