AVP, Advisor Effectiveness

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:

Role Summary

The AVP, Advisor Effectiveness is a strategic leadership role responsible for developing and executing comprehensive programs, training, and initiatives that drive SLFD advisor growth, productivity, and success. As the owner of the advisor effectiveness strategic plan, you will shape onboarding, training, and developing advisors across all career stages—from new advisors to experienced professionals and business builders—with the goal of building thriving, holistic advisor practices.

In this role, you will monitor competitive landscapes and emerging industry trends to develop innovative, strategic responses that position our advisors for success. You will partner closely with field leaders, the Business Growth team, and internal key stakeholders to create recognition programs and strategic initiatives that align with Sun Life's values and drive meaningful results.

This position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on advisor performance in both insurance and wealth, directly supporting Sun Life's strategic priorities while enabling our advisors to deliver exceptional holistic financial planning to their clients. If you are a strategic thinker with strong leadership capabilities and a passion for developing talent and driving business growth, this role provides an exciting opportunity to shape the future of advisor effectiveness at Sun Life.

What will you do?

Advisor Growth & Effectiveness

• Own the Advisor Effectiveness Strategy, monitoring competitive environments and developing strategic responses

• Lead the development and execution of Sun Life’s key training program to drive advisor growth and productivity across all segments

• Lead the progression and execution of Sun Life’s Advisor Business Organizations Team (ABOS) to expand advisor teaming and business growth

• Partner with Business Growth teams to oversee advisor programs that drive growth and productivity

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders across Distribution and broader Sun Life for cross BU work

• Develop strong relationships across Sun Life Canada to support the growth of Group, GRS and Wealth within SLFD.

• Must have deep understanding of field leadership, SLFD advisors, and have key relationships with both leaders and advisors.

• Partners with field leaders and selected advisors to enable and grow the developing advisor segment

• Participate actively in recruiting and onboarding high-profile external advisors

Advisory Council Management

• Facilitate and coordinate Sales Force Advisory Council meetings

• Manage council relationships and election processes

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop team of 20 professionals (direct and indirect reports)

• Ensure consistent performance management, coaching, and mentoring practices

• Provide strategic direction, coaching and mentorship to the team’s seasoned leaders

What do you need to succeed?

Experience & Skills

• Progressively responsible experience leading and implementing business strategies

• Extensive experience in advisor distribution channels

• Knowledge of complex advisor models and teaming structures

• Proven leadership and general management capabilities

• Strong business acumen and financial services industry knowledge

• Strategic mindset with tactical execution abilities

• Excellent influencing, communication, and relationship management skills

• Comfortable with ambiguity and change

• 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.

Qualifications

• University degree, or equivalent professional experience, preferably in business

• LLQP (Life License Qualification Program) is nice to have

• Mutual Fund License is nice to have

• CFP and CLU Designations is nice to have

Working Conditions

• Frequent business travel required to Kitchener-Waterloo, Toronto York, and Sun Life Financial Centres

• Additional travel for industry conferences, training sessions, and recognition events

• Standard office environment with fast-paced, strategic focus

• Add a line on building strong relationships across Sun Life Canada to support the growth of Group, GRS and Ensure Wealth within SLFD.

What’s in it for you?

• A competitive salary and bonus program, based on market scale

• A flexible group insurance program starting on your first day of work to meet your needs and those of your family.

• Our Share Ownership Program gives you the opportunity to invest in Sun Life while benefiting from employer matching contributions.

• We are proud to be included in Great Place to Work's 2025 list of Canada's Best Workplaces.

• A warm, supportive, and inclusive culture.

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 thebrightside@sunlife.com.

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! Several work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

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:

140,000/140 000 - 225,000/225 000

Job Category:

Sales - Distribution Support

Posting End Date:

29/01/2026