AVP, Compliance Technology and Innovation

Sun Life Financial; Toronto; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits program

Share Ownership Program

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Sun Life Financial is seeking an AVP of Compliance Technology and Innovation in Canada to lead strategic initiatives across technology, analytics, and governance. You will drive enterprise transformation, partner with risk, audit and business leaders, and shape a data-driven compliance program that scales with regulatory demands.

The role emphasizes strategy, partnership, and delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, risk oversight and decision support for executives.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience within Compliance, Risk Management, Governance, Technology, Analytics, or a related discipline.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide transformation programs and strategic initiatives.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance frameworks, governance practices, operational risk management, and control environments.
• Experience leveraging technology, analytics, automation, and AI to solve complex business challenges.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, influencing, and executive presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the vision, strategy, and roadmap for Compliance Technology, Innovation, Insight & Analytics.
• Lead transformational initiatives that enhance Compliance effectiveness, operational efficiency, and risk management capabilities.
• Oversee Compliance technology operations, platform enhancements, release management, and governance initiatives.
• Lead the design and deployment of scalable analytics, automation, AI, and GenAI-enabled solutions that improve decision-making.

Skills

Leadership

Compliance

Analytics

AI/GenAI experience

Stakeholder management

Education

University degree in Business, Finance, Law, Risk Management, Technology, or related field

Tools

GRC platforms

BI tools

Job description

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. At Sun Life, we're driven by our Purpose: helping our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Our values shape how we work: caring, authentic, bold, inspiring, and impactful. When you join Sun Life, you'll work with passionate colleagues and empowering leaders who support your growth and celebrate your contributions, so you can make a meaningful difference in our Clients' lives. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description: The AVP, Compliance Technology and Innovation provides strategic leadership for Compliance transformation, technology enablement, innovation, analytics, and operational risk management. This role is accountable for advancing Compliance capabilities through the execution of the Compliance Technology Roadmap, oversight of strategic initiatives, deployment of data-driven and AI-enabled solutions, and establishment of strong governance practices that enhance regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and business outcomes. The role partners closely with Compliance, Risk, Internal Audit, Technology, and business leaders to drive innovation, continuous improvement, and enterprise alignment.

What will you do?

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the vision, strategy, and roadmap for Compliance Technology, Innovation, Insight & Analytics.
• Lead transformational initiatives that enhance Compliance effectiveness, operational efficiency, and risk management capabilities.
• Partner with senior leaders to identify priorities, align investments, and deliver strategic business outcomes.

Compliance Technology & Operations

• Oversee Compliance technology operations, platform enhancements, release management, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Drive automation and process improvement opportunities that strengthen Compliance oversight while reducing manual effort.
• Partner with technology teams to ensure solutions remain effective, scalable, and aligned to evolving business and regulatory needs.

Innovation, Data & Analytics

• Lead the design and deployment of scalable analytics, automation, AI, and GenAI-enabled solutions that improve Compliance decision-making and productivity.
• Advise on the delivery of actionable insights, dashboards, reporting, and performance metrics to support risk management and executive decision-making.
• Foster a culture of innovation through experimentation, capability development, and adoption of emerging technologies.

Governance, Risk & Stakeholder Management

• Support operational risk management, business continuity, governance, and regulatory initiatives across Compliance teams.
• Build trusted relationships with senior compliance leaders and key stakeholders across the organization.
• Represent Compliance on enterprise-wide technology initiatives and provide executive reporting, insights, and recommendations.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams across Technology, Innovation, and Analytics functions.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and results-oriented culture focused on continuous learning and improvement.
• Build organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, and leadership coaching.

What you’ll need to succeed:

• Significant leadership experience within Compliance, Risk Management, Governance, Technology, Analytics, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-wide transformation programs and strategic initiatives.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance frameworks, governance practices, operational risk management, and control environments.
• Experience leveraging technology, analytics, automation, and AI to solve complex business challenges.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, influencing, and executive presentation skills.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities with a results-oriented mindset.
• University degree in Business, Finance, Law, Risk Management, Technology, or a related field.
• Advanced knowledge of project, program, and portfolio management practices.
• Experience with Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) platforms and Financial Crimes compliance technology solutions.
• Strong understanding of data analytics, reporting, visualization, and business intelligence tools.
• Experience implementing automation, AI, and GenAI solutions within a regulated environment.
• Knowledge of financial services regulatory frameworks and emerging compliance trends.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and lead effectively in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Strong change management and organizational transformation experience.

What’s in it for you?

• A competitive salary and bonus program, based on market scale
• A flexible group insurance program starting on your first day of work to meet your needs and those of your family.
• Our Share Ownership Program gives you the opportunity to invest in Sun Life while benefiting from employer matching contributions.
• We are proud to be included in Great Place to Work's 2026 list of Canada's Best Workplaces.
• 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.
• We are proud to be a hybrid organization that offers our employees the choice and flexibility to work from both the office and virtually based on the needs of the business, our Clients and you.
• We may use artificial intelligence to support candidate sourcing, screening, interview scheduling.

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 [e-mail].

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

Salary Range: 140,000/140 000 - 225,000/225 000

Job Category: Compliance

Posting End Date: 16/09/2026

Shine together At Sun Life, you can be your most brilliant self. Our supportive, flexible, and inclusive work environment is one where you – and your career – can thrive. Whatever your aspirations, collaborative leaders and colleagues are ready to help you learn, grow, and succeed. Make life brighter We’re a global company with a passion for people. Our purpose is to help Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. As a team of 30,000 across 26 countries, our impact is far-reaching, and locally relevant There’s power in numbers. As part of Sun Life’s growing team, you have an impact on people in your community and around the world. Shape the future With an optimistic eye on a brighter future, we drive to innovate. Be part of leading change, push boundaries and try new ways of working. Use data to drive bold actions. Be agile and pivot as we test and learn. At Sun Life, we’re driving transformation, sustainability and innovation for our Clients, employees, partners, and communities. Join us. Together, we can make the future brighter. Join a top employer for a brighter future. Visit Sun Life Careers