AVP, Sanctions and ABAC Oversight

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 Vice President, Financial Crime Oversight and Chief Anti-Money Laundering Officer (CAMLO), this role is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Enterprise Sanctions Risk and Anti-Bribery & Corruption (ABAC) Risk Oversight Programs within the Compliance function. The AVP, Sanctions & ABAC is an integral contributor to ensuring that Sun Life has fulsome and integrated financial crime risk management, specifically in the oversight of enterprise Sanctions and ABAC regulatory risk.

In this second line of defence role, you will be accountable for two significant financial crime oversight programs. You will work closely with the CAMLO, AVP Financial Crime Program, Senior Compliance Officers (SCO), Business Group (BG) Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLRO), and Corporate and Local Legal teams to ensure that Sanctions risk is managed in accordance with regulatory requirements in Canada and sanctions imposed by other jurisdictions in which we operate. You will also work closely with the same partners, teams and their subject matter experts in the area of ABAC regulatory requirements in Canada and unique risks present in other jurisdictions in which we operate. For both programs, you will ensure a robust governance model that aligns with the Enterprise Regulatory Compliance Management Program (RCM), in order to facilitate effective identification, measurement, management, monitoring and reporting of Sanctions & ABAC risk.

As part of the Enterprise Financial Crime Risk Team, you will also collaborate with the AVP, Fraud Risk Oversight in Sun Life’s efforts to mitigate all types of financial crime risk. Other key internal stakeholders include Risk, Audit, Legal and Digital, Business and Technology Solutions (IT partners), and other corporate functions.

This role will lead a small team of governance professionals that will support the oversight of Sanctions & ABAC risk and play a key advisory, challenge and oversight role for SCO teams across the organization. You will have experience in establishing a cohesive new team, both through effective hiring and by building a high-performance team culture. You believe in employee empowerment for your team, and you thrive in roles where your leader provides you the same opportunity for autonomy and flexibility.

You have extensive financial services experience, with in depth knowledge of Sanctions & ABAC regulation, and how they are operationalized in a large and complex organization like Sun Life across multiple jurisdictions. You are a compliance professional, skilled in managing and resolving difficult ethical dilemmas and unyielding integrity to do the right thing under difficult circumstances, even if unpopular. You excel in implementing transformational initiatives, with extensive experience leading technology-related projects, that introduce organizational change, while taking a risk-based approach to standardization and fit-for-purpose outcomes. You demonstrate strategic leadership by working confidently through ambiguity, planning for success while being able to pivot when required, building trust with stakeholders by driving for results and rationalizing change, and empowering others to help realize your vision and associated priorities. You will exhibit role-model leader capabilities and values and operate with intention to meet the Compliance Team Purpose of being trusted partners for the mitigation of compliance risks by providing advice, oversight and challenge in support of helping Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives.

What will you do?

Strategy and Operations

• Adhere to, and where required, develop, implement, embed, and maintain overall governance frameworks and standards to ensure adherence to Sanctions and ABAC Oversight program elements (eg. Risk Assessments, Regulatory Change, Oversight Testing, Reporting, etc.) across the first and second lines of defence.
• Promote, facilitate, monitor and assess compliance by the Enterprise with applicable Sanctions & ABAC regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the process through which management conducts periodic assessments of inherent Sanctions & ABAC risks, self-assessments of controls, and ensuring an appropriate testing program is maintained to evaluate the effectiveness of key controls.
• Generate Sanctions & ABAC status reporting to various senior leader and Board committees.
• Partner with SCOs to ensure key and emerging risks are managed proactively and with the active engagement of First Line business leaders.
• Promote awareness of and guidance on Sanctions & ABAC processes, initiatives and regulatory requirements and oversee the design, implementation and monitoring of written ongoing training programs for the Board of Directors and the Enterprise’s employees and agents, and other persons authorized to act on behalf of Sun Life.
• Provide analysis of global sanctions developments and how they impact Sun Life at the enterprise and local levels.
• Act as a trusted advisor to local Compliance teams and the business, providing guidance and advice on complex sanction issues, including cases dealing with regulatory conflict, to guide solution recommendations that consider Sun Life’s reputation, its Clients and its assets.
• Provide advisory at the Enterprise and Local levels for ABAC related matters, including guidance for the management of Gifts & Entertainment for employees, third parties and government officials.
• Represent the Compliance function as Program Sponsor for the Sanctions & ABAC Operational Risk Taxonomies.

Projects and Transformation

• Oversee the development and implementation of programs and systems to deter, monitor and report on Sanctions & ABAC activities.
• Identify opportunities and collaborate with IT partners to introduce new digital tools and technology solutions to drive efficiencies in Sanctions & ABAC monitoring practices.
• Enhance the governance model to ensure effective oversight of all Business Units and subsidiaries, as well as new acquisitions and strategic relationships.
• Develop and maintain the Enterprise Sanctions Compliance Roadmap, leveraging technology, data and analytics.
• Support the integration of the Financial Crimes Oversight Team by collaborating with Team colleagues and promoting the value across the organization.

People & Culture

• Maintain a high-performing, inclusive working environment, through effective hiring, development, coaching, and overall leadership.
• Empower employees to take accountability and demonstrate BOLDER principles (Biased for action, Open to listen, Learn all the time, Drive outcomes, Empowering, and Resilient).

What do you need to succeed?

• University degree in law, finance or other relevant degree, and 10+ years of progressive experience within the financial services sector in Compliance, Risk or other oversight function.
• Experience working in an OSFI-regulated environment, with alignment to a three lines of defence model.
• At least 3 years of specific Sanctions experience and at least 3 years of ABAC experience, preferably in a global oversight leadership role
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of regulatory compliance and risk management principles as they apply to financial services, preferably in life insurance and/or asset management.
• Expert sanctions advisory experience with in-depth and practical understanding of global governing sanctions legislation and related regulations, risk typologies, operational implications, and risk management strategies.
• Direct experience building and maintaining a multi-jurisdictional sanctions compliance program, including drafting policies and protocols, creating training content and building oversight and monitoring processes.
• Expert ABAC advisory experience, with strong knowledge of Gifts & Entertainment programs in North America and Asia jurisdictions.
• Aptitude and interest to lead and transform through technology and digital solutions.
• Excellent relationship management skills with a proven ability to build trusted partnerships and negotiate and influence a variety of internal stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, with ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to senior levels of the organization.
• Adept in relationship management, across all levels of the organization.
• Self-motivation and proactive nature, with strong problem-solving abilities to effectively prioritize in a diverse and fast paced environment.
• Organizational savvy and ability to navigate and lead cross-functionally within a complex and matrixed organization.
• Excellent leadership skills with a proven track record of developing, coaching and investing in talent.
• Proficient in handling crises on short notice under pressure and in strict confidence.
• Experience within a regulator, and/or comparable environment considered an asset.

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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