Manager, Operational Risk

Sun Life Financial, Inc.

$80K — $128K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Minimum 5 years of experience in risk management, preferably in investment management or financial services.
  • Strong knowledge of asset management and insurance-based wealth products.
  • Working knowledge of operational risk fundamentals and control concepts.
  • Ability to assess regulatory and operational change impacts and support practical processes.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and relationship-management skills.
  • Bachelor's degree in Risk Management, Business, Finance, Accounting, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

  • Lead operational risk activities for Sun Life Global Investments/Investment Solutions.
  • Conduct risk and control assessments to identify key risk drivers and gaps.
  • Drive implementation of risk and compliance requirements and support suitable processes.
  • Provide risk advisory support for key projects and digital initiatives with practical solutions.
  • Support AI/GenAI governance by assessing use cases and implementing guardrails.
  • Help document issues, identify root causes, and track remediation plans.
  • Present risk insights and recommendations at Risk Steering Committees.

Benefits

  • Commitment to an inclusive workplace where employees can reach their full potential.
  • Support for internal mobility to fuel professional growth.
  • Flexible benefits for employees and their families from day one.
  • Unique Sabbatical Program offering up to 6 weeks off every five years.
  • Ranked among the 2026 Best Workplaces in Canada by Great Place to Work.
Full Job Description
Job Description:

Location: hybrid

The Risk Management Centre of Excellence (CoE) is a strategic first line of defence business partner supporting Sun Life Canada Leadership in meeting our Client for Life goals by helping business teams identify operational risks, strengthen controls, and keep risk within appetite.

We partner with Canadian leadership, first line Business Unit Risk Officers, and second line Risk and Compliance stakeholders to assess operational risks, support effective controls, and enable sustainable business change.

As Manager, Operational Risk, you will lead first line operational risk activities for Sun Life Global Investments (SLGI) / Investment Solutions and act as a key point of contact for business leaders and second line stakeholders. You will bring a practical risk mindset and strong problem-solving skills to lead risk assessment activities, evaluate control effectiveness, deliver risk reporting and insights, help teams navigate ambiguity, and support sound decisions within risk appetite.

What will you do?
  • Apply a practical understanding of operational risk concepts and the wealth and asset management environment to assess risk and control effectiveness within the SLGI / Investment Solutions portfolio and prioritize improvement opportunities.
  • Lead risk and control assessments using structured problem-solving to understand processes, identify key risk drivers and control gaps, and translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
  • Drive implementation of new or changed risk and compliance requirements by assessing impacts, clarifying ambiguous expectations, and supporting fit-for-purpose processes and controls.
  • Provide risk advisory support to key projects, digital initiatives, and process changes, identify uncertainties and recommend practical solutions aligned to risk appetite.
  • Support AI/GenAI governance and risk management by partnering on use case intake and assessment, confirming approvals and documentation, and helping implement appropriate guardrails.
  • Support issue management by helping business partners document issues, identify root causes, define remediation plans, track actions to closure, and escalate overdue or higher-risk items as needed.
  • Present operational risk insights, trade-offs, and recommendations at Risk Steering Committees with internal clients.
  • Produce concise risk reporting and insights for risk leadership and business partners, including themes, emerging risks, key risk indicators, and remediation progress.
  • Support reviews by Internal Audit, Compliance, external auditors, and regulators by coordinating inputs and helping teams address findings.
  • Lead and/or coach Operational Risk Consultant(s) assigned to the portfolio, supporting prioritization, quality, and stakeholder outcomes.


What do you need to succeed?
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in risk management, preferably within an investment management firm, investment dealer, and/or broader financial services environment.
  • Strong knowledge of asset management, mutual funds, insurance-based wealth products, and related operations.
  • Working knowledge of operational risk fundamentals, control concepts, and relevant regulatory / industry expectations.
  • Ability to assess regulatory, business, and operational change impacts and support practical processes, controls, and remediation.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and relationship-management skills, including the ability to structure ambiguous issues, influence stakeholders, and provide credible challenge.
  • Bachelor's degree in Risk Management, Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline.


Assets
  • Exposure to AI/GenAI governance, technology risk, data risk, third-party risk, or model risk concepts is an asset.
  • Professional designations or industry credentials such as CRM, CRMA, FRM, PRM, CPA, CFA, CIM, or relevant Canadian Securities Institute courses are assets.


What's in it for you?
  • We're committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment. Our goal is to make sure all our employees have the chance to live up to their full potential.
  • Internal mobility is supported by leaders who are dedicated to fueling your professional growth.
  • Flexible Benefits from the day you join to meet the needs of you and your family.
  • Our unique Sabbatical Program gives you the opportunity to take up to 6 weeks off, every five years.
  • We are proud to be on the 2026 Best Workplaces in Canada list by Great Place to Work.


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.

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.

Salary Range:
80,000/80 000 - 128,000/128 000

Job Category:
Risk Management

Posting End Date:
30/09/2026

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