Consultant, Operational Risk

sunlife; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 115,000; Part time

Job summary

Sun Life Financial invites applications for an 18-month contract role in the Risk Management Centre of Excellence. You will act as a day-to-day operational risk partner across Retail Advice & Solutions Distribution, collaborating with leaders to identify, assess and report operational and regulatory risks.

The successful candidate will support risk and compliance requirements, coordinate risk reviews, and help maintain effective controls across processes and projects.

Qualifications

• Foundational knowledge of risk management practices, including risk assessment, risk monitoring, controls and risk mitigation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships and contribute within a collaborative team.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a day-to-day operational risk partner for assigned Retail Advice & Solutions Distribution areas.
• Assist in assessing impacts and help design and maintain controls for new risk, compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate risk reviews, business practice reviews and risk consultations for projects, products and digital initiatives.
• Assess design and effectiveness of processes, identify gaps and improvements.
• Monitor operational risk issues, audit findings, regulatory changes and action plans; follow up with owners.
• Support risk programs including business continuity, records management, information security and privacy.
• Prepare and coordinate portfolio reporting for risk committees and leadership forums.

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:

Please note that this is a contractual role for a period of 18 months

The Risk Management Centre of Excellence (CoE) is a strategic first line of defense business partner supporting Canadian leadership in meeting our Client for Life goals by providing comprehensive understanding of operational risk and supporting the design of effective solutions to manage risk within the business.

We partner with first line of defense Business Unit Risk Officers, and second line of defense Risk and Compliance stakeholders to assess operational risks, enhance control frameworks, educate business on risk management, provide oversight on risk policy requirements and ultimately enable the business to evolve while managing risk within appetite.

As Consultant, Operational Risk, you will support business areas within the Retail Advice & Solutions Distribution portfolio. You will act as a day-to-day operational risk partner, working with business leaders, execution teams, Risk, Compliance and other control partners to identify, assess, manage and report operational and regulatory risks.

What will you do?

• Serve as a day-to-day operational risk partner for assigned Retail Advice & Solutions Distribution business areas, providing practical advice and constructive challenge to business leaders and execution teams.
• Support the implementation of new or changed risk, compliance and regulatory requirements by assessing impacts and helping business partners design, implement and maintain appropriate processes and controls.
• Coordinate and support Risk Reviews, Business Practice Reviews and Risk consultations for projects, products, digital initiatives and process changes, including risk identification, control assessment, stakeholder engagement, documentation and follow‑up activities.
• Assess the design and effectiveness of processes and controls, identify gaps and improvement opportunities, and support business partners in developing clear and sustainable controls.
• Monitor operational risk issues, audit findings, regulatory changes and action plans. Follow up with business owners on status, supporting evidence and completion dates, and escalation material concerns or delivery risks.
• Support applicable risk programs within assigned portfolios, including business continuity, records management, operational risk events, information security and privacy requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate portfolio reporting for risk committees and leadership forums, including consolidating and validating information, highlighting key risks and upcoming deliverables; and documenting decisions and a…

What do you need to succeed?

• Foundational knowledge of risk management practices, including risk assessment, risk monitoring, controls and risk mitigation.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to review information, identify concerns and recommend practical solutions.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with business partners and leadership.
• Ability to build effective working relationships and contribute within a collaborative team.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate records, evidence and reporting.
• Proactive, motivated and willing to learn, with the ability to work independently with appropriate guidance.

Assets:

• Education or experience in risk management, business, finance, compliance, governance, process improvement or a related field.
• Knowledge of the financial services industry, including Canadian wealth, insurance, dealer or distribution operations.
• Exposure to risk assessments, controls, issues, action plans, projects or process improvement activities.
• Awarenes