AVP, Corporate Development

sunlife; Toronto; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Sun Life in Toronto seeks an Assistant Vice President to lead Corporate Development, steering acquisitions, equity investments, and joint ventures with global teams. The role reports to the VP, Corporate Development and focuses on strategy, deal structuring and cross-border opportunities.

You will build models, assess strategic fit, lead due diligence, and present recommendations to executives and the Board. Strong integrity and collaboration are essential for success in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of M&A valuation approaches and due diligence best practices.
• Experience leading complex transactions in financial services preferred.
• Proven ability to develop and audit detailed financial models for target businesses.

Responsibilities

• Lead all stages of complex transactions from strategic assessment through negotiation and execution.
• Identify, research, and analyze potential acquisition targets and assess strategic fit.
• Develop and review detailed financial models and valuations with input from stakeholders.
• Lead due diligence and review deal structures, term sheets and legal documentation.
• Coordinate integration or separation planning and provide oversight as required.
• Prepare executives and Board materials synthesizing financial and strategic insights.

Skills

M&A valuation

Due diligence

Financial modeling

Deal negotiations

Leadership

Education

Undergraduate degree in finance or commerce

MBA/CFA/CPA/CBV desirable

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:

Sun Life is seeking an Assistant Vice President to join our Corporate Development team, based in Toronto. Corporate Development is responsible for executing a wide range of transactions, including acquisitions and sales; equity investments; and the establishment of joint ventures and strategic partnerships. The team operates globally and includes members based in North America and Hong Kong, supporting strategic initiatives across Sun Life's international businesses.

Reporting to the Vice President, Corporate Development, the AVP will serve as a senior, hands-on leader. The AVP will help develop and execute short- and long-term growth strategies across Sun Life's businesses, advise on the strategic fit, valuation, and structuring of semi-organic and inorganic opportunities, and lead teams supporting complex transactions. He or she will also help set transaction priorities, allocate team resources, develop corporate development talent, and maintain and strengthen best practices for M&A and adjacent activities.

What you will do:

• Lead all stages of complex transactions, from strategic assessment through negotiation and execution, collaborating with internal functional partners and business group leaders and interfacing with counterparties and external advisors.
• Identify, research, and analyze potential acquisition targets. Assess strategic fit with the relevant business units, challenge investment assumptions, and provide a clear recommendation, including when not to proceed.
• Develop detailed financial models and valuations of target businesses and direct and review the team's analysis, incorporating relevant input from internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead transaction due diligence with the deal team, assess transaction risks, and recommend mitigation strategies. Analyze proposed deal structures and recommend ways to optimize the transaction. Lead or support negotiations, and review and provide recommendations on term sheets and legal documentation.
• Coordinate integration or separation planning and provide oversight as required.
• Advise senior executives and directors and prepare Executive Team and Board presentations and discussion materials that synthesize complex financial and qualitative analysis of a transaction or market opportunity.
• Contribute to internal projects and other organic strategic initiatives, including improvements to corporate development processes and capabilities.

Leadership Capabilities:

• Ability to set direction, challenge assumptions, and translate sound judgment into clear recommendations to executives and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated people leadership, including developing talent, delegating work, setting priorities, allocating resources, and overseeing multiple transactions. The successful candidate will remain hands-on and accountable for the quality of the team's work.
• Inspire and influence: engage and develop the team, influence key stakeholders, work collaboratively, build strong relationships, and continuously improve corporate development processes and capabilities.
• Unquestioned ethical standards, high trust, and uncompromising integrity, with ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and provide objective advice in complex and sensitive situations.

What you need to succeed:

• 10-15 years of relevant experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, or a similar function, including demonstrated ownership of complex transactions; experience leading an in-house corporate development team is considered an asset.
• Undergraduate degree with a focus in finance or commerce; a corporate finance-focused MBA degree, CFA, CPA, or CBV, or a combination is desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of M&A valuation approaches, due diligence best practices, and deal structuring.
• Direct transactional experience within the financial services industry (e.g., insurance or asset management) preferred; other transactional experience will be considered if relevan