AVP, Internal Audit

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:

About the role

Internal Audit contributes to the purpose and vision for the company by delivering value through partnership, assurance and insights. In this role, you will be responsible for the leadership and execution of process audit across Sun Life (SL) Canada, as well as North American actuarial processes. The scope is broad and considers both first and second line activities.

You will lead a team of 18 auditors, including 3 direct reports and are responsible for building relationships with the senior leaders in the business and across Internal Audit to execute on the strategy in a collaborative and engaged way. Together with your team, you will continually update the ongoing risk assessment of business processes within their scope.
You will be responsible for ensuring that audit assessments are properly focused on the higher risk aspects of the processes under review.

What you'll be doing

• Provide leadership to a group of approx. 18 professional auditors, with a focus on support, engagement and talent development.
• Collaborate across Internal Audit on risk areas and audit approaches.
• Lead the risk assessment of processes in Canada and Actuarial to ensure focus on higher risk areas.
• Develop and leverage relationships with key leaders in SL Canada and Corporate Actuarial, including the first and second-line leaders.
• Support the continuous improvement of the audit teams understanding of the business, along with risk assessment and auditing practices.
• Provide leadership in discussions of risk assessment and finding with the clients in the business.
• Participate in audits as required.
• Monitor results for all business processes selected for continuous audit/continuous monitoring.
• Participate in the “Real-Time” audit work on strategic projects chosen with a risk-based approach.
• Review and approve internal audit documentation, including but not limited to; engagement letters, risk assessments, working papers, and reports of findings and recommendations related to the processes and projects under review.
• Actively participate in meetings with auditees to help support a common understanding of risks inherent in the business process being audited as well as support clear communication of any recommendations for control improvement resulting from audit work.
• Monitor open audit issues.
• Take on a leadership role in contribution of team continuous improvement and performance and reinforce internal audit best practices.
• Maintain knowledge and skills by staying current with developments in audit practice and the insurance industry.

What you'll need to succeed

• 10+ years of leadership experience with a focus on building and leveraging relationships within and outside of your direct team.
• Strong understanding of the elements of risk management and controls.

• Experience with SL Canada business and/or processes.
• Internal audit experience.

• Experience in presenting to large groups and senior management
• Strong critical thinking skills to enable risk and control assessment and issue identification.
• Resilient and agile.
• Ability to make and effectively communicate complex issues and decisions.
• Courage and ability to effectively manage and resolve conflict.
• Strong personal and interpersonal skills - ability to manage diverse relationships across the organization, remain open and receptive and influence effectively.
• Strategic thinking, analysis and interpretation skills - able to see and share the big picture.
• Change Management Skills - Comfortable in leading change, driving the implementation of effective practices and helping others to make or adjust to change.
• Capacity to handle multiple complex deliverables simultaneously, and to prioritize work efforts to effectively integrate with audit work underway throughout the Enterprise.
• Flexibility and creativity to adjust traditional approaches and tools - willingness to challenge the status quo.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.

Unique Requirements:
• Some travel may be required between Waterloo and Toronto as there are team members and clients in both locations.
• This role is based in either Toronto or Waterloo, and will require some periodic time in the office.

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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