Manager, Operational Risk

Sun Life Financial; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Benefits

Sabbatical program (up to 6 weeks)

Best Workplaces in Canada

Incentive plans

Job summary

Sun Life Financial is seeking a Manager, Operational Risk in a hybrid setup to lead first-line risk activities for the SLGI/Investment Solutions portfolio. You will assess risk, drive control improvements and partner with business leaders and second-line risk teams to keep risk within appetite.

You will provide concise risk insights, support AI governance, and lead a small team to deliver governance, remediation, and reporting across Risk Steering Committees and internal audits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in risk management.
• Strong knowledge of asset management and related operations.
• Working knowledge of operational risk fundamentals and regulatory expectations.
• Ability to assess change impacts and support practical controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead first line operational risk activities for Sun Life Canada Leadership.
• Deliver risk reporting and insights to stakeholders and committees.
• Support AI/GenAI governance and risk management initiatives.
• Coach risk consultants and support remediation and issue management.

Skills

risk management

analytical thinking

communication

relationship management

problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

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

Location: hybrid

The Risk Management Centre of Excellence (CoE) is a strategic first line of defence business partner supporting Sun Life Canada Leadership in meeting our Client for Life goals by helping business teams identify operational risks, strengthen controls, and keep risk within appetite. We partner with Canadian leadership, first line Business Unit Risk Officers, and second line Risk and Compliance stakeholders to assess operational risks, support effective controls, and enable sustainable business change. As Manager, Operational Risk, you will lead first line operational risk activities for Sun Life Global Investments (SLGI) / Investment Solutions and act as a key point of contact for business leaders and second line stakeholders. You will bring a practical risk mindset and strong problem‑solving skills to lead risk assessment activities, evaluate control effectiveness, deliver risk reporting and insights, help teams navigate ambiguity, and support sound decisions within risk appetite.

What will you do?

• Apply a practical understanding of operational risk concepts and the wealth and asset management environment to assess risk and control effectiveness within the SLGI / Investment Solutions portfolio and prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Lead risk and control assessments using structured problem‑solving to understand processes, identify key risk drivers and control gaps, and translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Drive implementation of new or changed risk and compliance requirements by assessing impacts, clarifying ambiguous expectations, and supporting fit‑for‑purpose processes and controls.
• Provide risk advisory support to key projects, digital initiatives, and process changes, identify uncertainties and recommend practical solutions aligned to risk appetite.
• Support AI/GenAI governance and risk management by partnering on use case intake and assessment, confirming approvals and documentation, and helping implement appropriate guardrails.
• Support issue management by helping business partners document issues, identify root causes, define remediation plans, track actions to closure, and elevate overdue or higher‑risk items as needed.
• Present operational risk insights, trade‑offs, and recommendations at Risk Steering Committees with internal clients.
• Produce concise risk reporting and insights for risk leadership and business partners, including themes, emerging risks, key risk indicators, and remediation progress.
• Support reviews by Internal Audit, Compliance, external auditors, and regulators by coordinating inputs and helping teams address findings.
• Lead and/or coach Operational Risk Consultant(s) assigned to the portfolio, supporting prioritization, quality, and stakeholder outcomes.

What do you need to succeed?

• Minimum 5 years of experience in risk management, preferably within an investment management firm, investment dealer, and/or broader financial services environment.
• Strong knowledge of asset management, mutual funds, insurance‑based wealth products, and related operations.
• Working knowledge of operational risk fundamentals, control concepts, and relevant regulatory / industry expectations.
• Ability to assess regulatory, business, and operational change impacts and support practical processes, controls, and remediation.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and relationship‑management skills, including the ability to structure ambiguous issues, influence stakeholders, and provide credible challenge.
• Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• Assets - Exposure to AI/GenAI governance, technology risk, data risk, third‑party risk, or model risk concepts is an asset.
• Professional designations or industry credentials such as CRM, CRMA, FRM, PRM, CPA, CFA, CIM, or relevant Canadian Securities Institute courses are assets.

What's in it for you?

• Flexible Benefits from the day you join to meet the needs of you and your family.
• Our unique Sabbatical Program gives you the opportunity to take up to 6 weeks off, every five years.
• We are proud to be on the 2026 Best Workplaces in Canada list by Great Place to Work.
• 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.

We’re committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment. Our goal is to make sure all our employees have the chance to live up to their full potential.

Internal mobility is supported by leaders who are dedicated to fueling your professional growth.

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.

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

Salary Range: 80,000/80 000 - 128,000/128 000

Job Category: Risk Management Posting End Date: 30/09/2026

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].

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