Senior Manager, Finance Process Optimisation

About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2018, Sun Life Financial had total assets under management of CDN $951 billion. For more information please visit

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Job Overview:

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Business Analyst to join the Finance Department of our Life & Health (L&H) business and contribute to our ongoing finance transformation program. As one of the team leads in the Finance Transformation Program, you will play a critical role in driving the success of our finance transformation program within the Finance department of our company. You will lead a team responsible for re-engineering existing financial processes, standardizing accounting operations, and conducting change management activities to ensure a smooth and effective transition. Your expertise in systems, operations, and reporting will be instrumental in shaping the future state of our finance processes and driving sustainable improvements across the organization.

Responsibilities:

Strategy and Planning:

• Support the development of the strategy and roadmap for the finance process, aligning it with the overall finance transformation program objectives.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define clear goals, milestones, and deliverables for the workstream.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of re-engineered processes and policies.

Process Re-engineering and Standardization:

• Lead the analysis of existing financial processes, identify pain points, and design and implement streamlined and standardized processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and integration of re-engineered processes with other workstreams and systems.
• Standardize accounting policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and best practices.
• Perform quality gatekeeping on the process and policy documents created by the business analysts to ensure consistency and clarity.

Change Management and Communication:

• Develop and execute change management plans to drive adoption and ensure successful implementation of new processes and policies.
• Design training sessions and workshops to facilitate knowledge transfer and upskilling of the finance team.
• Communicate program updates, achievements, and changes to stakeholders at all levels, ensuring transparency and engagement.

Systems and Technology:

• Collaborate with the “Technology” workstream or IT teams to define the technology requirements and solutions needed to support re-engineered processes and policies.
• Provide guidance and insights on system integrations, data migrations, and enhancements to ensure seamless operations.
• Continuously assess emerging technologies and tools to drive automation and process optimization within the finance function.

Reporting and Analytics:

• Oversee the design and development of financial reports, dashboards, and analytics solutions built by the “Technology” workstream or IT teams to support decision-making and drive insights.
• Ensure data accuracy, integrity, and availability by implementing robust data governance practices.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define reporting requirements and deliver actionable business intelligence.

Preferred Skills and Background:

• Strong understanding of the insurance industry, including knowledge of insurance accounting principles, regulations, and processes.
• In-depth knowledge of industry-specific standards such as IFRS17 (Insurance Contracts) and their impact on financial reporting and business processes.
• Strong leadership skills with experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects.
• Proven experience in process re-engineering, process standardization, and implementation of accounting policies and procedures.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Solid understanding of change management principles and methodologies, with the ability to drive organizational change and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in working with finance systems and technologies, including ERP systems, financial planning tools, and reporting platforms.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex issues, identify actionable insights, and propose innovative solutions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and deliver results within budget and deadlines.
• Experience in managing teams and fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, or related roles, with a focus on finance process improvement, standardization, and change management.
• Proven track record of successfully leading finance transformation or process improvement initiatives within a complex organizational environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively in a team environment.

Additional Certifications (Preferred, but not mandatory):

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Insurance-specific certifications, such as Certified Insurance Professional (CIP) or Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).
• Change Management certification (e.g., Prosci, ACMP).
• IFRS17 implementation experience.

We offer 5-day work, attractive salary, MPF, group life and group medical insurance and excellent career development opportunities to the right candidate.

Interested parties please send detailed resume with current & expected salary and availability by email to [email redacted, apply via Company website].

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Application forms and resume will be kept for a period of 12 months after completion of the recruitment process. (All information will be held in strict confidence and only used for recruitment purpose.)