Director, Government Relations

Sun Life Financial, Inc.

$154K — $232K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BA/BS in political science, public policy, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum 7 years' experience in lobbying or related fields.
  • Experience working in highly regulated industries.
  • Knowledge of state political landscapes and their business impact.
  • Ability to translate complex policies for non-policy audiences both verbally and in writing.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and excellent organizational abilities.
  • Experience working with legislative staff and government agency leaders.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute state-specific government relations strategies.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with key government officials and staff.
  • Analyze legislation and regulations to assess financial and operational impacts.
  • Monitor and report on political landscape and implications for government relations strategy.
  • Build partnerships with trade associations and external stakeholders to advance priorities.
  • Manage relationships with state contract lobbyists within the region.
  • Educate internal stakeholders on state lobbying and ethics rules.

Benefits

  • Generous vacation and sick time policies.
  • Market-leading paid family, parental, and adoption leave.
  • Comprehensive medical coverage and life insurance options.
  • 401(k) employer match and stock purchase options.
  • Employer-funded retirement account and partially paid sabbatical program.
  • Flexible and collaborative work environment supporting career growth.
  • Recognition as a top employer in various communities.
Full Job Description
Job Description:

Location: Must reside in the Southeastern part of the United States. Role requires travel.

The opportunity:

The Director of Government Relations is responsible for the development and execution of effective and creative government relations strategies on behalf of Sun Life in southeast region of the United States.

How you will contribute:
  • Develop and execute state-specific strategies to introduce and influence legislation, regulation, and policy proposals that protect, enable and grow Sun Life priorities.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with and act as liaison to Executive Branch officials, gubernatorial appointee level officials, state legislators, and key staffers within assigned region.
  • Analyze proposed and enacted legislation, regulations and sub-regulatory guidance to inform operational and financial impact by partnering with internal subject matter experts.
  • Identify, synthesize, and report on high-level political landscape and ways it impacts on-the-ground relationships, opportunities, and challenges to inform overall government relations department strategy.
  • Develop relationships with aligned state trade associations, business leaders, and other external stakeholders to advance Sun Life priorities and strengthen relationships with elected officials and appointed regulatory leaders.
  • Manage state contract lobbyists or other outside contractors within region.
  • Know, adhere to, and educate other internal stakeholders on state lobbying and ethics rules.
  • Other duties as needed or required.


What you will bring with you:
  • BA/BS degree in political science, public policy, or related degree required, master's or other advanced degree preferred.
  • 7+ years minimum experience in lobbying and/or relevant experience
  • Experience with highly regulated industries.
  • Knowledge of state political landscapes and impacts on business priorities.
  • Ability to balance enterprise-wide thinking with day-to-day strategic execution in government relations spaces.
  • Experience in working collaboratively with legislative staff and/or governmental regulatory agency leadership in multiple states.
  • Strong ability to synthesize and communicate complicated policies to non-policy audiences both verbally and via written products.
  • Excellent problem solving, analytical, planning and organizational skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects, determine project urgency in a meaningful and practical way, use goals to guide actions and create detailed action plans, organize and schedule people and tasks.
  • Ability to prioritize work and operate under tight deadlines


Salary: $154,700 - $232,100

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.

Not ready to apply yet but want to stay in touch? Join our talent community to stay connected until the time is right for you!

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.

Job Category:

Government Relations and Policy

Posting End Date:

13/08/2026

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