Operational Risk Specialist, SL U.S.

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 50 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. We have more than 6,400 employees and associates in our partner dental practices and operate nationwide.

Visit our website to discover how Sun Life is making life brighter for our customers, partners and communities.  

Sun Life embraces a hybrid work model that balances in-office collaboration with the flexibility of virtual work.  Our team members and leaders are expected to foster connection and teamwork by being present in the office at least 2 days per week.

As an important member of the SLF U.S. Chief Risk Officer’s team this role reports to either the Director or AVP, Risk Management . The team is responsible for the overall integrity of the risk management function across SLF U.S. businesses, ensuring that these functions operate in compliance with the Enterprise Risk Management framework, associated Policies and Operating Guidelines and effectively comply with external regulatory requirements.

In a second line of defense role, the Specialist, Operational Risk Management for SLF U.S. is expected to provide technical risk expertise and effective input, review and challenge over U.S.’s operational risk program design and execution, while positively supporting a continuous improvement, high performance culture. In doing so, the incumbent will need to effectively partner with corporate program owners and lead our Business Unit partners in the operationalization of SLF U.S.’s Operational Risk Management and Governance program.

Major Accountabilities

• Design and implement new US-wide risk management programs, practices, and processes with immediate focus on OSFI’s new B-10 (Third Party Management) and upcoming E-21 (Operational Resiliency) requirements.
• Assess risk and control effectiveness across key operational risks, identify and prioritize opportunities to improve risk management processes and capabilities.
• Manage Risk rollout of new risk solutions by identifying impact to US BUs and tailoring solutions where appropriate.
• Provide technical risk expertise and effective input, review and challenge over U.S.’s operational risk program design and execution, while positively supporting a continuous improvement, high performance culture specifically around Third Party and Operational Resiliency frameworks including risk management standards and best practices.
• Maintain strong working relationships with all business partners and develop recommendations on effective control design and operational risk management best practices.
• Works directly with various functions such as finance, compliance, legal, actuarial etc. to ensure reliable and relevant communication and reporting to facilitate effective monitoring and challenge.
• Monitors business practices to ensure gaps/opportunities are identified, appropriately communicated and resolved in a timely manner.
• Thoroughly supports the SLF U.S. Risk Management team with all scheduled and ad hoc deliverables.

Required Competencies

• College degree with 4+ years of financial service industry experience and 1 or more years of risk management exposure including exposure to using and/or deploying operational risk tools and processes in a financial institution
• Positive attitude, a natural willingness to support the team and a proven ability to develop and cultivate strong business relationships with suppliers and customers
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, presentation)
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute innovative pragmatic solutions to complex problems
• Successful experience interpreting policy or regulatory requirements that lead to the execution of effective processes that support compliance with the requirements
• Ability to demonstrate a solid working knowledge of effective project management and successful experiences leading/managing change
• Strong working knowledge and hands on experience with MS Office products with evidence of a history of continuous improvement

Other Assets and General Information

• Knowledge of the insurance industry products and services
• Knowledge of the health care industry
• Experience with Archer, ServiceNow, JIRA
• Prior exposure to senior leadership through face-to-face interactions, presentation and/or meeting reporting expectations
• Occasional travel to Toronto may be required

Salary Range: $82,700 - $124,100

At our company, we are committed to pay transparency and equity. The salary range for this role is competitive nationwide, and we strive to ensure that compensation is fair and equitable. Your actual base salary will be determined based on your unique skills, qualifications, experience, education, and geographic location. In addition to your base salary, this position is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive award based on your individual performance as well as the overall performance of the business. We are dedicated to creating a work environment where everyone is rewarded for their contributions.

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We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees feel they belong, are supported and empowered to thrive.  We are dedicated to building teams with varied experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and ideas that benefit our colleagues, clients, and the communities where we operate.  We encourage applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Life is brighter when you work at Sun Life

At Sun Life, we prioritize your well-being with comprehensive benefits, including generous vacation and sick time, market-leading paid family, parental and adoption leave, medical coverage, company paid life and AD&D insurance, disability programs and a partially paid sabbatical program.  Plan for your future with our 401(k) employer match, stock purchase options and an employer-funded retirement account.  Enjoy a flexible, inclusive and collaborative work environment that supports career growth.  We’re proud to be recognized in our communities as a top employer.  Proudly Great Place to Work® Certified in Canada and the U.S., we’ve also been recognized as a "Top 10" employer by the Boston Globe's "Top Places to Work" for two years in a row.  Visit our website to learn more about our benefits and recognition within our communities.

We will make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of otherwise-qualified individuals with disabilities or special disabled veterans, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. Please email thebrightside@sunlife.com to request an accommodation.

For applicants residing in California, please read our employee California Privacy Policy and Notice.

We do not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.

Sun Life will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including applicable fair chance ordinances.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Risk Management

12/12/2025