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AVP, Strategy, Planning and Operational Risk, Health

Job in Old Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5A, Canada
Listing for: Sun Life
Full Time position
Listed on 2026-02-16
Job specializations:
  • Management
    Business Management, Corporate Strategy, Business Analyst, Business Continuity
Job Description & How to Apply Below
Position: AVP, Strategy, Planning and Operational Risk, Sun Life Health
Location: Old Toronto

Job Description

:

Sun Life Health is a business in Sun Life Canada focused on empowering Clients to live their healthiest lives no matter where they are in their health journey. Join us in shaping the future of health and benefits in Canada.

Reporting to the Vice-President, Health Strategy and Enablement, this pivotal leadership role is responsible for establishing visionary strategy and driving successful outcomes across Group Benefits and Sun Life Health divisions. You'll shape the future of our business by identifying transformative market opportunities, driving strategic execution, and building a robust governance framework that enables innovation while managing risk.

This is your chance to:
Leave a lasting impact on millions of Canadians' health journeys while leading strategy for a high-growth, mission-driven business.

What will you do?

  • Identify and capitalize on strategic opportunities that strengthen our business model and create new revenue streams
  • Develop compelling analyses and actionable strategies that influence C-suite decision-making
  • Lead senior strategy sessions, partnering with cross-functional leaders to maintain and evolve our 5-year strategic plan
  • Monitor competitive landscapes and anticipate 5-10 year industry trends, positioning Sun Life Health ahead of the curve
  • Uncover strategic partnership and growth opportunities that accelerate our mission
  • Facilitate development of business objectives and key results (OKRs), ensuring alignment across the organization
  • Design executive-level dashboards tracking strategic metrics and translating insights into action
  • Deliver impactful executive briefings that drive informed decision-making
  • Connect strategy to execution, ensuring plans translate into measurable outcomes
  • Design and implement governance structures that enable—rather than obstruct—strategic goals
  • Champion operational risk culture throughout Sun Life Health, making risk management a competitive advantage
  • Partner with Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Audit to create efficient, effective oversight that meets regulatory requirements
  • Proactively identify emerging risks and opportunities, ensuring appropriate escalation and mitigation
  • Lead regulatory compliance initiatives, managing working groups and ensuring business readiness for legislative changes
  • Communicate complex strategies clearly and compellingly to executive audiences
  • Build strong partnerships across silos, connecting dots between Group Benefits, Sun Life Health, and Canada operations
  • Tailor communication to maximize buy-in and foster productive relationships at all levels
  • Provide inspiring, collaborative leadership to strategy, governance, and risk professionals
  • Foster a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and excellence
  • Champion professional development, engagement, and well-being within your team
  • What will you need to succeed?

  • 10+ years of progressive business experience, with demonstrated strategic impact
  • Extensive strategy expertise with proven ability to develop and execute complex strategic initiatives
  • Insurance or financial services background (ideally in group benefits)
  • Leadership in highly regulated environments, with experience introducing innovation within compliance constraints
  • People and budget management experience leading high-performing teams
  • Risk and governance expertise, including oversight of risk management frameworks
  • As this position is posted in several locations, we specify that bilingualism (French, English, both oral and written) is required for Quebec only as the position includes managing both French and English-speaking staff (Quebec and outside Quebec) and providing daily support to the team.
  • Exceptional strategic and analytical thinking—you see the big picture and the critical details
  • Ability to synthesize complex information from multiple sources into clear, actionable insights
  • Strong business acumen with the ability to quickly learn new domains and assess strategic feasibility
  • Track record of navigating and influencing within matrixed, complex organizations
  • Sound judgment in identifying and escalating emerging risks, issues, and opportunities
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with ability to influence senior executives
  • Collaborative leadership style that builds engagement and inspires teams
  • Skilled at building consensus across diverse stakeholder groups
  • University degree in business or related discipline (required)
  • MBA or equivalent advanced degree (preferred)
  • Why Join Sun Life Health?

  • Purpose-driven work:
    Help millions of Canadians live healthier lives
  • Strategic impact:
    Shape the future of a critical business priority for Sun Life
  • Growth opportunity:
    Lead strategy during a transformational period in healthcare
  • Collaborative culture:
    Work with talented leaders across a respected organization
  • Innovation focus:
    Balance governance with entrepreneurial thinking in a dynamic environment
  • Ready to make your mark? Join us in building the future of health in Canada.

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