Director, Strategy and Operations, Estate and Financial Planning Services

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:

At Sun Life, we work together, share common values, and encourage growth and achievement. We offer a variety of career paths that attract a wide variety of talent and skills. Follow a path that lets your talents shine.

Retail Advice and Solutions is a division of Sun Life Canada. At Sun Life Canada we are a top provider of life, health and wealth products in the Canadian marketplace.

We are in search of a dynamic individual to fill the role of Director, Strategy and Operations, tasked with driving the strategy and operational effectiveness of Estate and Financial Planning Services (EFPS). This key position will involve developing and executing strategic initiatives to enhance the overall EFPS offering, create operational efficiency, streamline processes, and optimize resource allocation. The successful candidate will leverage their expertise in strategy development, financial analysis, project management, and business operations to lead cross-functional teams in implementing innovative solutions that propel our financial planning services to new heights.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in strategy, financial services operations, coupled with a proven ability to drive process improvements and scale operations effectively. Exceptional leadership skills, strategic thinking, and a results-oriented mindset are essential, as you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Estate and Financial Planning Services.

What will you do?

• Responsibilities will include overseeing day-to-day operations, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing best practices to ensure seamless delivery of financial planning services to our clients.

• Support the development of medium- and long-term financial planning strategy to support advisors and Estate and Financial Planning Services

• Coordinate with internal and external teams on digital aspects of our financial planning tools and roadmaps.

• Work with industry partners to stay current with industry trends.

• Continuously monitor Canadian Financial Planning regulation and ensure SLFD is compliant to all current and newly created legislation, regulation, and standards in Canada

• Manage internal stakeholders within compliance, governance, and business groups.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to create and manage a strategic roadmap for both Financial Planning standards and accreditation.

• Provide oversight and support for Financial Planning accreditation framework, budget, and communication to SLFD advisors and leaders.

• Provide oversight and operational support for financial planning support help desk.

• Work closely with the One Plan vendor (Conquest) to recommend enhancements and to resolve defects and issues.

• Related to our planning platform offering, align with Sun Life product owner and Journey teams providing subject matter expertise, and assist with the delivery of prioritized roadmap features, based on users (SLFD / EFPS) business needs and enhancement requests.

• Act as a stakeholder to technical and design teams in SLFD planning tools client output.

• Provide oversight and operational support of our Quality Assurance team.

What do you need to succeed?

• 10+ years in a strategy/operations or related role

• Strong knowledge of investment/wealth management with a focus on estate and financial planning.

• Previous experience working with corporate integration of software tools within an organization.

• Knowledge of the financial planning industry including emerging trends and opportunities.

• Previous leadership experience and demonstrated ability to provide strong people management.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong relationship management skills

• Proven record of high achievement and results orientation

• As this position is posted in several locations, we specify that bilingualism (French, English, both oral and written) is required for Quebec only for the frequent interactions with English and French-speaking colleagues or internal partners across Canada or worldwide.

What's in it for you?

• Working together, sharing common values, and encouraging growth & achievement

• Flexible Benefits from the day you join to meet the needs of you and your family.

• We’re proud to be recognized as a company with a 2023 Most Trusted Executive team by Great Place to Work® Canada

• Join one of our many Inclusion Networks. These voluntary, employee-led groups are dedicated to creating connection, fostering inclusivity, and building community.

• Charitable giving through our You Give, We Give program lets you give back to your community - and in many cases, we’ll match your contributions.

If you are a forward-thinking professional with a passion for financial planning, strategy development, operational excellence, and a desire to drive growth, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey.

#LI-Hybrid

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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