Manager, Communications, Creative and Experience Strategy

sunlife; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Sun Life in Canada is seeking a Manager, Communications, Creative and Experience Strategy to lead the development and execution of strategic communications, creative and engagement initiatives that support signature events while managing a high‑performing team responsible for delivering impactful experiences across the advisor journey.

This role blends strategic thinking, creative leadership and operational excellence to translate business objectives into integrated communications, marketing and

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes integrated communications, creative, and engagement strategies that support recognition programs, conferences, events, and business initiatives.
• Owns the end-to-end engagement strategy for signature events, translating objectives into compelling experiences that drive engagement and alignment with business priorities.
• Leads the development of event themes, storytelling approaches, executive communications, scripts, recognition programming, and multimedia experiences.
• Measures and evaluates communications, engagement, and event effectiveness using insights and data for continuous improvement.
• Collaborates with the Consulting team to draft business content for signature events.
• Provides creative leadership and oversight for all event-related communications, digital experiences, presentations, video productions, on-site branding, and print collateral.
• Reviews and guides all communications, creative concepts, copy, and design to ensure alignment with brand standards and accessibility.
• Acts as a strategic advisor on communications, attendee engagement, and event experience design across SLFD initiatives.
• Leads and develops the Communications & Creative team with coaching and performance management.
• Establishes priorities and allocates resources across multiple projects to ensure timely delivery of communications and assets.

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:

Hybrid work environment

Twice per week in office (Waterloo or Toronto)

Reporting to the Director, Events, the Manager, Communications, Creative and Experience Strategy leads the development and execution of strategic communications, creative, and engagement initiatives that support signature events while managing a high-performing team responsible for delivering impactful experiences across the advisor journey.

This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, creative leadership, and operational excellence to deliver meaningful advisor and field leader experiences. The Manager, Communications, Creative and Experience Strategy is responsible for translating business objectives into integrated communications, marketing, and engagement strategies that inspire action, strengthen connections, and elevate the impact of events, recognition, and key initiatives. Success in this role requires balancing vision with execution, fostering innovation, managing competing priorities, and leading the delivery of high-quality experiences and communications.

As part of the Business Growth team, this role partners closely with the Events team, senior leaders, and a broad network of stakeholders to develop and execute integrated engagement strategies. Leveraging expertise in communications, marketing, creative services, and emerging technologies, the Manager leads the end‑to‑end planning and delivery of communications and creative initiatives that support signature events, incentive programs, and business priorities. Through a focus on audience insights, innovation, and experience design, this role helps drive advisor engagement, strengthen business outcomes, and enhance overall advisor and field leader experiences.

What you will do:

• Communications & Experience Strategy (25%)

  • Develops and executes integrated communications, creative, and engagement strategies that support recognition programs, conferences, events, and business initiatives.
  • Owns the end‑to‑end engagement strategy for signature events, translating business objectives into compelling experiences that drive engagement, understanding, performance, and alignment with business priorities.
  • Leads the development of event themes, strategic messaging frameworks, storytelling approaches, executive communications, scripts, recognition programming, and multimedia experiences.
  • Measures and evaluates communications, engagement, and event effectiveness, leveraging insights and data to inform future strategies and continuous improvement.
  • Collaborates and works with the Consulting team to draft business content for signature events

• Creative Direction & Branding (20%)

  • Provides creative leadership and oversight for all event‑related communications, digital experiences, presentations, video productions, on‑site branding, and print collateral.
  • Reviews, approves, and guides all communications, creative concepts, copy, and design to ensure alignment with business objectives, brand standards, accessibility requirements, and audience needs.
  • Acts as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert on communications, creative development, attendee engagement, and event experience design across SLFD initiatives.

• Leadership, People & Resource Management (20%)

  • Leads and develops the Communications & Creative team, providing strategic direction, coaching, performance management, and professional development to foster a high‑performing, innovative, and collaborative team culture.
  • Establishes priorities and allocates team resources across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring timely delivery of high‑quality communications and creative assets while balancing strategic and operational objectives.

• Event Portfolio & Stakeholder Leadership (15%)

  • Partners closely with Event, Recognition, Distribution, Consulting and senior leadership teams to develop integrated strategies and deliver business outcomes through exceptional event and recognition experiences.
  • Leads cross‑functional planning