Consultant, Operational Risk

Sun Life Financial; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Sun Life Financial is seeking a Consultant, Operational Risk to support Canadian leadership in managing operational and regulatory risks across the Retail Advice & Solutions Distribution portfolio.

You will partner with business leaders, Risk, Compliance and control partners to implement risk programs, maintain controls and enable the business to evolve within risk appetite. The role emphasizes collaboration, analytical thinking and strong communication across teams.

Qualifications

• Foundational knowledge of risk management practices, including risk assessment and controls.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to review information and identify concerns.
• Strong organizational and written/verbal communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a day-to-day operational risk partner for assigned Retail Advice & Solutions Distribution areas, providing practical advice and constructive challenge to business leaders.
• Assess impacts of new risk, compliance and regulatory requirements and help design, implement and maintain controls.
• Coordinate and support Risk Reviews, Business Practice Reviews and Risk consultations for projects and processes, including documentation and follow-up actions.
• Assess the design and effectiveness of processes and controls, identify gaps and improvement opportunities, and support the development of sustainable controls.
• Monitor operational risk issues, audit findings and regulatory changes and action plans.
• Prepare and coordinate portfolio reporting for risk committees and leadership forums, consolidating information and highlighting key risks.

Skills

Risk management

Analytical

Communication

Organization

Teamwork

Problem solving

Tools

Archer

ServiceNow

SharePoint

Excel

PowerPoint

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 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 escalated 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 action items.


• Maintain complete and accurate information in Archer, ServiceNow, SharePoint and other applicable tools, and support continuous improvement of Risk CoE processes and ways of working.

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.


• Awareness of risk programs such as business continuity, records management, information security or privacy.


• Experience preparing reports, presentations or materials for business or academic audiences.


• Familiarity with artificial intelligence tools, Archer, ServiceNow, SharePoint, Excel or PowerPoint.

Reasons why you should join us under the Sun

• Being a member of the Sun Life family, a group of people united by our Purpose: to help Clients and Employees achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives


• Opportunities to own your career development with programs to continuously learn, build skills, grow through coaching and more


• A caring, supportive, and inclusive culture


• A collaborative and interactive team environment


• 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].

Our 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.

Salary Range: 65,000/65 000 - 98,000/98 000

Job Category: Risk Management

Posting End Date: 21/10/2026

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