VP, Finance Data & Digital Enablement

Sun Life•Toronto, ON

3d•CA$195,000 - CA$270,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The VP, Finance Data & Digital Enablement role is an opportunity to shape the future of Sun Life’s Global Finance function. It is ideal for a transformational leader who is passionate about modernizing Finance, harnessing the power of data and AI, and driving meaningful change to build a world-class Finance organization. The incumbent will lead digital enablement for the Finance function, leveraging process automation, analytics and data governance to drive efficiency and effectiveness at scale. The role works closely with Finance business stakeholders and technology teams to deliver solutions to complex business challenges through a combination of process enhancements, systems, data and tools. This role is responsible for defining and executing the Global Finance Data strategy, including the development of a unified data platform that serves the Finance operating model. You will balance large-scale change delivery with ongoing operational excellence, ensuring that improvements are sustainable and Finance continues to deliver against its day-to-day responsibilities. The incumbent will also spearhead the digital pillar of the Global Finance Evolution (GFE) program, a transformation program aimed at modernizing the Finance function through AI and digital enablement, operational excellence, enhanced insights for decision-support, and talent practices. Leading a high-performing team of finance, data and technology professionals, the incumbent will enhance Finance data practices and capabilities at Sun Life, elevating Finance data a strategic asset that supports Sun Life’s ambition to be the best asset management and insurance company in the world. Reporting to the SVP and CFO, Global Technology, Finance Strategy, and Operations, the incumbent will serve as a key member of the Enterprise Finance leadership team.

Requirements

Accounting Designation with 10-15 years of experience in the financial services industry
Demonstrated success leading large-scale transformation initiatives and high performing teams
Demonstrated success leading high-impact transformation initiatives in complex global organizations.
Expertise in process automation, analytics, and data governance, ideally within a Finance context; strong knowledge of best practices, tools, and emerging trends for Finance.
Leadership - capable of building, scaling, and inspiring a high-performing team.
Exceptional stakeholder management skills – builds strong relationships and fosters collaboration across all levels of the organization.
Proven experience in bringing innovative options and solutions to business partners and leading through change.
Strategic mindset with the ability to identify high-value use cases and deliver solutions that drive measurable impact across Global Finance.
Influence - skilled at shaping opinions and gaining buy-in from diverse stakeholders. Able to effectively challenge ideas and foster constructive conflict to enhance decision-making.
Thrives in ambiguity - adapts to change and effectively reprioritizes to meet organizational goals.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to collaborate and drive execution across functions and geographies.

Responsibilities

Build and lead a high-performing global team of finance digital enablement and transformation professionals, including people leaders (AVPs and directors).
Foster strong partnerships with technology and business group finance teams to ensure alignment.
Influence and collaborate across a complex matrix organization, ensuring buy-in.
Serve as an agent of change, guiding stakeholders through transformation with clear communication and effective change management.
Partner with Technology and Finance Executive Leadership to define and execute against a comprehensive Finance Data Strategy, including a unified global data architecture.
Ensure consistent data definitions, quality, and governance across Finance (and key partners in Actuarial & Risk) to support all management and external reporting needs.
Maintain strong data controls and stewardship to uphold regulatory and reporting standards, while continuously discovering new use cases to leverage Finance’s data assets for improved insights and efficiency.
Provide strategic leadership in developing the Global Finance AI Roadmap – delivering a learning agenda for staff, deploying and driving adoption of AI tools, and spearheading the identification, prioritization, and build-out of high value Finance AI use cases in partnership with the Technology team.
Serve as a thought leader for Finance in harnessing emerging technologies. Monitor developments in advanced analytics, automation, and AI, determining actionable opportunities for innovation withing Sun Life’s Finance function.
Champion the adoption of digital finance tools (e.g., predictive analytics, RPA, machine learning, AI-driven “agentic” processes) to drive efficiency gains and improve the quality of insights that Finance delivers to its business partners.
Accountable for ‘last mile’ external financial reporting and management reporting, ensuring appropriate data flows and tool performance during critical quarter-end reporting periods.
Balance ongoing reporting obligations with new reporting automation use cases.
Oversee the portfolio of Global Finance optimization initiatives, using a disciplined, fact-based approach to develop business cases and key metrics, ensuring each initiative delivers measurable business value.
Balance the acceleration of transformation projects with ongoing financial reporting and operational commitments, maintaining service continuity and quality during change.
Sponsor an enterprise-wide forum of Finance enablement professionals to share best practices, solutions to common challenges, spur innovation, and develop common priorities.
Act as an advisor to the CFO, Global Technology, Finance Strategy, and Operations in defining and delivering the Finance technology agenda.