VP - Distribution Partnership

Sun Life Financial; Montreal; On-site; CAD 195,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Vice-President of Distribution Partnerships to drive sales strategies across diverse product lines. This role involves harmonizing efforts among stakeholders, enhancing collaboration, and advocating for strategic product development. The ideal candidate will possess extensive management experience, a strong understanding of the insurance and wealth industry, and exceptional networking skills. Join a dynamic team where your leadership will foster innovative approaches and build lasting partnerships, making a significant impact in the financial services landscape.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years in management, including 5 years in senior leadership.
• Strong business acumen and strategic foresight in financial services.

Responsibilities

• Lead sales strategies across distribution channels to maximize outcomes.
• Cultivate long-term partnerships with distribution firms for strategic growth.

Skills

Management Experience

Strategic Development

Bilingual (French, English)

Networking Skills

Insurance Industry Knowledge

Education

Advanced Degree in Management

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:

Overview

The Vice-president of Distribution Partnerships plays a critical role in driving sales strategies across DC&M’s diverse product mix. Reporting to the VP, Insurance Distribution, with a dotted reporting line to the SVP, Distribution & Channel Management, this executive will harmonize efforts among various internal stakeholders to foster collaboration, enhance outcomes, and advocate for strategic product development using market insights. By working closely with Retail Advice & Solutions (RA&S) leadership, the VP will implement strategic changes across all distribution channels, aiming for streamlined operations and optimal resource allocation. Building and nurturing partnerships with distribution firms is also key, ensuring long-term relationships and high-quality service delivery. Innovative programmatic approaches aligned with partners' mutual priorities will be developed to drive sales growth, along with managing the marketing allowance plans for partner firms to ensure effective resource utilization and support business objectives.

Main Accountabilities

• Lead Distribution & Channel Management (D&CM) cross-channel product mix sales strategy plan in alignment with overall business goals and objectives.
  • Harmonize efforts across multiple internal stakeholders, fostering effective collaboration and synergy to maximize outcomes.
  • Advocate for product development to support the strategy, leveraging market insights and strategic foresight to identify growth opportunities.
  • Collaborate with RA&S leadership to implement strategic changes across all distribution channels, ensuring streamlined operations and optimal resource allocation.
• Oversee and nurture partnerships with distribution firms to fulfill D&CM objectives, cultivating long-term relationships and strategic alliances.
  • Maintain and cultivate relationships with Independent Insurance Distribution partners, providing leadership for the support team to ensure consistent and high-quality service delivery.
    • Develop and implement innovative programmatic approaches aligned with the mutual priorities of partners, driving forward-thinking strategies to support sales growth.
      • Manage the development of marketing allowance plans for partner firms, ensuring effective utilization of resources to support business objectives.
    • Facilitate the creation of compensation programs in collaboration with Insurance Solutions, strategically designing incentives to drive performance.
      • Manage additional incentive programs directed at partner firms, leveraging data-driven insights to optimize outcomes.
    • Collaborate with Sun Life Global Investments to establish synergistic partnerships with firms, identifying opportunities for mutual benefit and strategic alignment.
    • Manage the Strategic Business Risk team and coordinate the oversight program with Business Governance and Controls, proactively identifying and mitigating risks.
  • Oversee relationships with Sun Life Financial Distribution partners and various industry regulators and committees, ensuring compliance and strategic advocacy.
• Serve as a prominent advocate for D&CM regarding regulatory changes and industry committees, including CLHIA, CAILBA, and provincial regulators, influencing policy and driving industry standards.
• Lead strategic initiatives for future partnerships with third-party insurance distributors, identifying and capitalizing on growth opportunities.
• Manage and enhance relationships with 40 distribution firms (MGA, National Account, and National Alliance), ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives.
• Lead a high-performing team of four directors and three employees, fostering a culture of excellence and strategic focus.

Requirements

General skills/competencies:

• Advanced degree in management or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of management experience in large or complex organizations, including over 5 years in a senior leadership role within financial services distribution.
• Strong business acumen, visionary, and strategy development capabilities
• Exceptional partnering skills and demonstrated ability to work with multiple stakeholders spread geographically
• Strong understanding of Insurance and Wealth industry and competitive factors including market segmentation and trends
• Proven networking and communication skills with advisors and sales leaders
• As this position is posted in several locations, we specify that bilingualism (French, English, both oral and written) is required for Quebec only for the frequent interactions with English and French-speaking colleagues or internal partners across Canada or worldwide.

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.

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] .

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

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

Salary Range:

195,000/195 000 - 270,000/270 000

Job Category:

General Management

Posting End Date:

14/05/2025