Director, Digital Experience Design

sunlife; Toronto; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sun Life in Canada is seeking a Director, Digital Experience Design to join the leadership team and elevate the craft and strategy for digital experiences across mobile, web and AI-driven channels in our Canadian business lines.

You'll lead a multidisciplinary design team, partner with Product, Technology, Marketing and Data & Analytics, and shape roadmaps while scaling design systems for consistency across touchpoints. A strong UX/UI background and 10+ years in product design are required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience designing and shipping complex digital product experiences with strong UX/UI craft.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary design teams in agile, product-led environments.
• Strong cross-functional leadership skills to influence at all levels in a matrix organization.
• Proficiency in modern design tools and ability to scale design systems across product lines.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a multidisciplinary design team, building a high performing culture grounded in craft and continuous learning.
• Drive end-to-end digital experiences designed for scale, accessibility, and longevity across mobile, web and AI channels.
• Embed user research and usability practices into agile cycles to ground experiences in user needs.
• Influence roadmap planning and target outcomes by partnering with Product, Technology, Marketing and Data & Analytics.
• Translate design outcomes into measurable business impact and communicate value to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership experience

UX/UI craft

Cross-functional leadership

Design systems

Education

Post-secondary education in Human Centered Design, Interaction Design, Computer Science, Graphic Design or related discipline

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:

We are looking for a Director, Digital Experience Design to join our leadership team, reporting into the AVP, Experience Design. In this role, you will be responsible to help lead and elevate the design craft and experience strategy to build and scale digital foundations that power high-quality product experiences across mobile, web and conversation al AI across our Canadian business lines.

You will bring a strong voice to our team- shaping what great looks like and ensuring that craft, quality and outcomes remain at the centre of every experience we ship. You will partner closely with Product, Technology, Research & Insights, Marketing and Data & Analytics, to help drive alignment, influence decision-making, and elevate the role of design as a strategic enabler.

What will you do?

• Lead and grow a multidisciplinary design team, building a high performing culture grounded in craft, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Strong digital-first product mindset, pushing for end-to-end digital experiences that are intentionally designed for scale, accessibility, and longevity across all channels.
• Track record of taking complex products from concept through launch in agile environments, with measurable user impact.
• Embed user research and usability practices into agile cycles to ensure experiences are grounded in user needs.
• Champion the adoption of AI-powered design tools, while driving efficiency through optimized tooling and streamlined ways of working to elevate the quality and impact of the team's work.
• Proven track record scaling design systems across multiple product line s to ensure consistency across all digital touchpoints.
• Work closely with leaders in the Business, Product, Marketing, and Engineering to understand and influence roadmap planning and target outcomes .
• Navigate a matrixed organization with confidence, building strong relationships and influencing without authority across product, technology, and business partners.
• Translate design outcomes into measurable business impact, communicat e value clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Buil d and lead a high-performing design team and culture for Sun Life Canada through setting clear expectations, coaching, mentorship.
• Provide thought leadership in digital experience by staying ahead of emerging trends, responsibly exploring new technologies , and translating insights into strategic opportunities.

What do you need to succeed?

• 10+ years' experience with a proven track record designing and shipping complex digital product experiences, with deep UX/UI craft and design credibility.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary design teams in agile, product led organizations.
• Strong cross functional leadership skills with the ability to influence at all levels in a matrix environment.
• Experience working in regulated industries such as financial services or healthcare is a strong asset.
• Proficiency in modern design tools and experience scaling design systems across product lines.
• A track record of building and developing high performing teams .
• Strong communication and storytelling skills ; leveraging prototypes, narrative and evidence to move product and business conversations forward.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and creating clarity and structure in undefined spaces and team your team along with you.
• A champion of AI-powered design tool and workflows. You actively explore how AI can elevate the quality, speed, and impact of your team's work.
• Post-secondary education in Human Centered Design, Interaction Design, Computer Science, Graphic Design or related discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience.

What's in it for you?

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.

Being part of our transformation journey to better meet the health, wealth, and protection needs of our clients.

Competitive sala