Senior Communications Specialist

Sun Life Financial; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

15 vacation days

Flexible Benefits

Job summary

Sun Life Financial in Toronto, Canada, seeks a Senior Communications Specialist to translate complex initiatives into clear narratives and polished presentations. You will support Finance, Legal and Sun Life Asset Management, developing executive materials, town halls, and engaging content for internal and external audiences.

You’ll craft communications across digital, print and social channels, advise leadership, and measure program impact.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years in communications, public relations, consulting or journalism in corporate/agency setting.
• University degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or related field.
• Understanding of media landscape and storytelling for Sun Life audiences.
• Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Provide communications support for Finance, Legal, and Sun Life Asset Management; write and edit presentations and materials.
• Develop executive meeting and event materials; ensure aligned messaging and visuals.
• Tailor content across channels including social media for different audiences.
• Advise on partnerships and strengthen relationships to advance corporate priorities.
• Build media relationships and proactively identify opportunities and pitches.
• Manage internal distribution of messages via email and intranet.
• Analyze program effectiveness and report results.

Skills

Strong writing and editing

Executive presentation design

Strategic communications counsel

Cross-functional collaboration

Digital and social media content

Education

University degree in communications / related field

Tools

HTML

Adobe Creative Suite

Content management systems

Media monitoring systems

Online collaboration platforms

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

Please note this is a 14-month contract opportunity

About the role

The Senior Communications Specialist is a hands‑on opportunity for a seasoned communications professional who is comfortable stepping into complex work quickly and delivering with confidence. Reporting to the Director, Corporate Communications, this role provides strategic counsel and executional support across our Corporate Office functions, helping translate complex initiatives into clear, compelling narratives and polished presentations that inform, align, and inspire employees and stakeholders.

What will you do?

Provide communications support for Finance, Legal, and Sun Life Asset Management by writing and editing presentations, speeches, briefing/media materials, web content and developing other communications materials.

Develop materials and support for executive meetings and events, including town halls, ensuring aligned messaging, visually engaging materials, and seamless delivery.

Leverage communications channels to engage employees and stakeholders, tailoring content and visuals to the platform and audience, including social media.

Develop recommendations and provide communications advice that strengthen partnerships and foster relationships between business partners to further corporate priorities.

Build positive media relationships that further Sun Life’s reputation and business priorities through the identification of key media opportunities and generation of proactive and timely pitching ideas.

Manage internal distribution of company messages through our global email platform and the company’s intranet.

Analyze effectiveness of communication programs and strategies, reporting on results.

What do you need to succeed?

• 3–5 years in a communications, public relations, consulting or journalism role, in a corporate or agency environment.
• University degree in a related field (communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, etc.).
• Understanding of the external environment, media landscape and how to tell impactful stories relevant to Sun Life’s audiences.
• Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills, with strong attention to detail and an ability to translate complex ideas into concise, audience-friendly content.
• Strong visual communications skills, with demonstrated experience creating polished, executive-ready PowerPoint presentations that turn complex information into clear, visually engaging stories.
• Experience creating content across digital, video, social media, and other technology platforms.
• Hands on experience communicating through various channels (print, online, social media, etc.).
• Strong understanding of measurement best practices and tools for both internal and external communications.
• Highly organized and adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, learn new systems quickly, and exercise sound judgment independently.
• Creative, strong team player who works well with other team members and business partners.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with HTML, Adobe Creative Suite, content management and distribution systems, media monitoring systems, and online collaboration platforms.
• Understanding of Corporate Office functions including Finance, Legal, Government Affairs & Public Policy, and Compliance, as well as asset management.
• Previous financial services, insurance or pension industry experience, with CSC designation considered an asset.
• Experience working for a public company and/or supporting executive communications.
• Working knowledge and / or fluent in French.

What's in it for you?

• Hybrid work environment
• 15 vacation days
• A friendly, collaborative, and inclusive culture
• Flexible Benefits from the day you join to meet the needs of you and your family
• The opportunity to move along a variety of career paths with amazing networking potential
• Access to our Global Learning Centre, available 24/7 for your learning needs
• Wellness programs that support the three pillars of your health – mental, physical and financial

Recent Awards

We are honoured to be recognized as a 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 Best Workplaces in Canada by Great Place to Work® Canada Great Place to Work® list for Best Workplaces for #HybridWork 2022 Great Place to Work® list for Best Workplaces for Professional Development in Canada 2022 Named “Best Places to Work” by Glassdoor, 2021 and 2023

The Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted.

It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors. 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.

Salary Range

Salary Range: 60,000/60 000 - 97,000/97 000

Job Category

Job Category: Communications

Posting End Date

Posting End Date: 29/09/2026

Diversity and inclusion

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

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].

Hybrid organization

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.

Artificial intelligence

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

Applicant notification

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

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.

Sun Life is 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.