Manager, Risk Program Development – 15 months contract

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

Job summary

Sun Life Financial is seeking a Manager, Risk Program Development for a 15-month hybrid role in Canada. You will design and implement Canada's risk programs, assess control effectiveness, and lead the Risk Centre of Excellence initiatives with senior leaders and business units.

The role emphasizes strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and proactive risk management across complex processes. You will partner with Canada leadership and risk stakeholders to deliver capable risk

Qualifications

• Experience in program or project management and working with cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of risk management techniques including risk assessment, risk monitoring, control design and control effectiveness assessment.
• Strong leadership and influencing capabilities, ability to effectively foster and manage relationships across the organization to deliver against objectives.
• Confident verbal and written communication skills, experience presenting sensitive matters to senior management.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement new Canada risk management programs, practices and processes.
• Assess risk and control effectiveness across key operational risks, identify and prioritize opportunities to improve risk management processes and capabilities.
• Manage Risk CoE in rollout of new risk solutions by identifying impact to Canadian BUs and tailoring solution where appropriate.
• Support development of Risk Centre of Excellence framework including risk management standards and best practices.
• Conduct research, collect feedback and coordinate analysis to build recommendations for business leadership and key stakeholders.
• Facilitate problem solving sessions and workshops with subject matter experts and Risk CoE partners.
• Develop recommendations on effective control design and operational risk management best practices.
• Maintain strong working relationships with all business partners.
• Lead and support indirect report(s) by providing direction, setting clear expectations, coaching, recognition, and holding individuals accountable for results.

Skills

Risk management

Program management

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

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

Contract: 15 months Location: Hybrid The Risk Management Centre of Excellence (CoE) is a strategic first line of defense business partner supporting Sun Life Canada 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 Canadian leadership, 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 maintaining risk within appetite. The scope of the team is broad, as our internal clients include all business areas supporting Client Experience Office, Group Retirement Services, Investment Solutions, Retail Advice & Solutions, and Sun Life Health. As Manager, Risk Program Development, you will contribute to a number of key projects and programs supporting risk management from conception through design and delivery. You will work with the Risk Management Centre of Excellence and business partners across Canada in order to meet strategic business and operational goals through successful delivery of projects and piloting of initiatives.

What will you do?

• Design and implement new Canada risk management programs, practices and processes.
• Assess risk and control effectiveness across key operational risks, identify and prioritize opportunities to improve risk management processes and capabilities.
• Manage Risk CoE in rollout of new risk solutions by identifying impact to Canadian BUs and tailoring solution where appropriate.
• Support development of Risk Centre of Excellence framework including risk management standards and best practices.
• Conduct research, collect feedback and coordinate analysis to build recommendations for business leadership and key stakeholders.
• Facilitate problem solving sessions and workshops with subject matter experts and Risk CoE partners.
• Develop recommendations on effective control design and operational risk management best practices.
• Maintain strong working relationships with all business partners.
• Lead and support indirect report(s) by providing direction, setting clear expectations, coaching, recognition, and holding individuals accountable for results.

What do you need to succeed?

• Ability to design complex, flexible and sustainable processes that meet key strategic objectives.
• Strong problem-solving skills, ability to breakdown complex issues into viable paths forward.
• Experience in program or project management and working with cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of risk management techniques including risk assessment, risk monitoring, control design and control effectiveness assessment.
• Strong leadership and influencing capabilities, ability to effectively foster and manage relationships across the organization to deliver against objectives.
• Confident verbal and written communication skills, experience presenting sensitive matters to senior management.
• Proactive and highly motivated individual who will take initiative and is able to manage unstructured activities.
• Proven people leader with experience coaching within a consulting function.

Assets

• Experience in Canadian financial services industry in a risk management or related function.
• Background in 1st line of defense risk management with Canadian Business Units.
• Familiarity with Third Party Risk, Business Continuity Management and/or Operational Resiliency requirements.
• Experience in an advisory or enablement function (e.g. project management, process re-engineering).
• Certification in risk management and/or process improvement.
• Process/control design and analysis skills.
• Data analysis and presentation capability.

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. We’re committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment. Our goal is to make sure all employees have the chance to live up to their full potential. In 2025, Sun Life ranked among the top 100 most sustainable global corporations by Corporate Knights for the 16th consecutive year, leading Canadian insurers. 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.

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].

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: 26/08/2026

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