Senior Data Security Specialist

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.

About This Opportunity
Join a strategic, high-impact global team at Sun Life and lead the evolution of our enterprise database security posture. This is a pivotal technical leadership role where you'll design cutting-edge security solutions, drive security innovation, and directly influence how we protect critical data across the organization. Reporting to the Manager of Database Security and Data Protection, you'll be at the intersection of advanced threat detection, strategic security operations, and emerging insider threat defense.

What You'll Own
Strategic Security Leadership
- Design, architect, and optimize enterprise-scale database security and data protection controls
- Lead security gap analysis and drive strategic initiatives across global environments
- Influence organizational security direction and establish best practices across regions

Advanced Threat Detection & Investigation
- Conduct sophisticated investigations and deep-dive analysis of database security incidents (privileged access abuse, data exfiltration, suspicious authentication patterns) - Develop and enhance investigation workflows with advanced automation and SIEM/cloud platform integration
- Identify emerging security trends, systemic risks, and data-centric threats - then recommend and implement solutions

Database Activity Monitoring (DAM) & Infrastructure Mastery
- Manage and optimize enterprise database activity monitoring infrastructure, policy frameworks, and lifecycle management
- Administer sophisticated data protection platforms and security tools (patching, upgrades, optimization) - Drive operational excellence through automation and workflow optimization

Technology Partnership & Mentorship
- Build trusted relationships with internal leaders, cross-functional teams, and security vendors
- Lead innovation in insider threat detection and response capabilities
- Mentor team members and foster a collaborative, forward-thinking security culture

Your Background

5+ years in cybersecurity or IT infrastructure roles, with demonstrated expertise in security engineering or operations

Strong foundation in Windows and Linux system administration, infrastructure design (storage, networking)

Hands-on experience with database security frameworks, governance, data protection policies, and compliance controls

Solid knowledge of database platforms (SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, RDS, No

SQL)

Practical experience with encryption technologies and cryptographic controls

Proven ability to conduct security investigations, perform forensic analysis, and execute remediation at scale

Working knowledge of security tools (Database Activity Monitoring, data encryption platforms)

Automation expertise  :
Proficiency in Power Shell and/or Python scripting; demonstrated ability to build security automation workflows

Cloud security experience  :
Hands-on knowledge of AWS, GCP, or Azure security controls and cloud infrastructure

Nice-to-Have Skills

SIEM platforms (Splunk, QRadar)  and User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) tools

Background in threat hunting or advanced security analytics

Familiarity with Service Now or security orchestration platforms

Why You'll Thrive Here

Technical depth meets strategic impact  :
Move beyond reactive security into innovative threat prevention

Emerging technology exposure  :
Work with advanced DAM, cloud security, and AI-driven analytics platforms

Global scope  :
Influence security practices across a large, complex organization

Growth trajectory  :
Position yourself as a subject matter expert and future security leader

Collaborative culture  :
Join a team that values mentorship, continuous learning, and security innovation

Unique Requirements
As a condition of the role, the successful candidate must obtain a Government of Canada Reliability Status security clearance through Sun Life.

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…