Director, Operational Risk Management

Sun Life Financial; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider in Toronto seeks a Director of Operational Risk Management to lead and execute risk programs. The role requires a strong understanding of risk frameworks and policy compliance. You'll manage diverse risk initiatives and collaborate with various teams to enhance risk oversight. Ideal candidates will have seven years in the financial sector and significant experience in risk management. A hybrid work setting is available, offering flexibility and support for diverse candidates.

Benefits

Hybrid work options

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of experience in the financial services industry.
• Minimum two years of experience in risk management or related functions.
• Knowledge of insurance, wealth, and health industry products.

Responsibilities

• Lead Operational Risk Management policy responsibilities.
• Coordinate Canada’s Business Group Chief Risk Officer report.
• Manage aspects of the Canadian Risk Oversight Committee.

Skills

Policy interpretation

Risk management

Project management

Communication skills

Change management

Relationship building

Education

University degree or MBA

Tools

SharePoint

RSA Archer

ServiceNow

Tableau

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. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description

Your Purpose

As an important member of the Sun Life Canada Chief Risk Officer’s team, this role reports to the AVP, Risk Management who reports to the Sun Life Canada, SVP, Chief Actuary & Chief Risk Officer (CRO). The team is responsible for the overall integrity of the Risk Management function across Canada (with a focus on Operational Risk), ensuring that these functions operate in compliance with the Enterprise Risk Management Framework, associated Policies and Operating Guidelines that allow Sun Life Canada to effectively comply with external regulatory requirements.

The role of the Director, Operational Risk Management for Sun Life Canada is a second line of defense function. The incumbent is expected to provide technical risk expertise, project management leadership & guidance, and effective input, advice, oversight, and challenge over the design and execution of select risk programs. In doing so, the incumbent will need to effectively partner with Corporate Risk teams and the first line of defense Risk Center of Excellence (CoE) to support, while effectively challenging, the Business Unit Risk Owners in the management of Risk.

What you\'ll be doing

Acting as the key person responsible or as the operational back-up for a select combination of risk programs, activities, and functions. These will change from time-to-time and could include (but are not limited to) a sub-set of the following:

• Lead Canada’s second line Operational Risk Management policy responsibilities for Third Party Risk Management. These activities include but are not limited to policy, guideline and technology consultations and enablement; second line monitoring, oversight, and effective review & challenge.

• Author and key coordinator drafting Canada’s Business Group Chief Risk Officer report. This includes coordinating/facilitating inputs, ensuring consistent quality, and managing a final quality product for presentation to the Canadian Risk Oversight Committee and other key stakeholders.

• Operating the annual and quarterly Key and Emerging Risk process ensuring the most material risks are identified, monitored, managed, and reported.

• Responsible for managing several aspects of the Canadian Risk Oversight Committee (CROC); including but not limited to forward agendas, engagement and preparation of guest speakers, material preparation, minute taking, and action items monitoring.

• Attends various Business Unit Risk Committees and is responsible for independent oversight and challenge, to help ensure the overall integrity of risk management functions across the business. This role is expected to provide constructive challenge to risk owners / decision makers.

• Will act as an operational back-up to other team members across various Operational Risk policies, processes, and tools. This may include, but is not limited to, the Operational Risk Profile, Sun Life Financial Trust, and activities supporting the Operational Risk Management Framework, Model & Business Computing Tools, and Information Management.

• Represents the Sun Life Canada Risk Management team when participating in key initiatives, external or internal reviews of Risk Management, or other ad-hoc risk deliverables.

How you\'ll do it

Demonstrate ownership of the programs and processes that you operate through:

• Facilitating effective second line monitoring and challenge while partnering directly with the Risk Centre of Excellence (CoE) and other Risk Subject Matter Experts such Compliance, Legal, Information Security etc.

• Leading or supporting the development of lean processes, efficient tools, and effective reporting demonstrating strong knowledge of the business, partners, processes, and customers

• In partnership with Corporate program owners, the Risk CoE, and first line risk owners, you will contribute to positively influencing, developing, and maintaining select risk management programs

• Consulting on change management risk assessments and monitoring the evaluation of risks you help to ensure gaps/opportunities are identified, effectively communicated, efficiently managed, and escalated to relevant forums

• Continuously improving outcomes in the areas you operate

What you\'ll need to succeed

• University degree, MBA, or various transferable skills or designations

• Successful experience interpreting policy and/or regulatory requirements that lead to the execution of effective processes that support and enable policy compliance

• Knowledge of the insurance, wealth and health industry products, distribution, and service

• Experience / knowledge in Audit, Controls, Compliance, Finance, Accounting, Actuarial

• Familiarity and experience with SharePoint, RSA Archer, ServiceNow, Tableau

• Positive attitude, strong intrinsic motivation, a natural willingness to support the team, and a proven ability to develop and cultivate strong business relationships

• Ability to successfully and positively lead/manage/influence change effectively

• Confident verbal and written communication skills with proven success in presenting sensitive matters to management

• Ability to distill complexity in simple terms without missing critical components

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute innovative practical solutions to complex problems

• Seven or more years of experience in the financial services industry with working knowledge of related risk frameworks. Minimum two years of experience in risk management or related functions (e.g. Compliance, Finance, Audit) with a possible certification in risk management

• Strong working knowledge and hands on experience with MS Office products with a history of continuous improvement

Salary Range: 110,000/110 000 - 180,000/180 000

Job Category: Risk Management

Posting End Date: 11/02/2026

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 email a request to [e-mail].

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! Several work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

We may use artificial intelligence to support candidate sourcing, screening, interview scheduling.

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

Salary Range:

110,000/110 000 - 180,000/180 000