Director, Finance Initiatives and Portfolio Management

at  Sun Life

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You’ll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you’ll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• 10+ years’ experience in Project/ PMO space (preferably in the Insurance/Financial Services industry)
• PMP designation preferred.
• CPA or Accounting designation is preferred.
• University degree at the Masters or Bachelor level and/or previous management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Deep experience and skills in project and portfolio resource management, planning, reporting, prioritization, and budgeting
• Understanding and experience in Finance and Accounting systems, practices, and processes
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills with the ability to build and sustain effective relationships with other Finance teams, Business Groups and Units, and technology partners.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact and present effectively to all levels, including senior management.
• Strong planning, organizational, and leadership skills, including the ability to mobilize and motivate teams, set direction and approach, build consensus to move initiatives forward.
• Knowledge and familiarity of technology solutions, specifically in the Finance field
• Strong technical, analytical and problem solving skills
• Flexible to changing priorities and timelines
• Self-motivated and results-oriented
  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.
  Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.
  Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process or those needing job postings in an alternative format may e-mail a request to thebrightside@sunlife.com.
  At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.
  We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

As a member of the Finance Operations team reporting to the VP, Data and Initiative, the Director Finance Initiative and Portfolio Management will perform a key role leading the establishment and ongoing management of the Finance initiative portfolio management process and function, and go forward, lead the execution of specific global finance initiatives.
In the new Global Finance world, there is a need for a ‘project portfolio management office’ to exist to manage and steer the global finance initiatives, the backlog of post IFRS 9/17 implementation Finance system and process enhancements to support the global Business Groups and Corporate functions. In addition, there will be an ongoing backlog of optimizations and business-as-usual Finance process and systems initiatives that will need to be collectively managed as part of the overall Finance initiative portfolio.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

• Enhance the initiative portfolio management oversight and governance processes for global Finance, including both Corporate and Business Group stakeholders.
• Lead and execute the portfolio management oversight and governance process for global Finance process and systems initiatives, including both Corporate and Business Group stakeholders.
• Establish and lead the priority assessment process of the backlog of initiatives, for focus on the highest impact and value work.
• Develop, and manage meaningful management reporting and metrics (dashboard and monitoring tools) that will enable the global Finance organization to have visibility into initiatives underway (progress and risks)
• Partner with DBTS to oversee and manage the DBTS budget and prioritization processes (Change Control Board) for all in scope Finance initiatives.
• Engage and partner with the various stakeholders within Finance, Technology, and global business groups to effectively execute the portfolio management process.
• Lead the global Finance Technology Solution Review Board (FTSRB) process and governance framework, in partnership with DBTS partners, to ensure strategic alignment of technology solutions for global Finance.
• Collaborate effectively with business partners to drive decisions, plans, and problem solving.
• Plan and lead the execution of specific finance initiatives E.g. the Oracle decommissioning plan.
• Collaborate closely with Actuarial ensuring that the technology used by Finance and Actuarial continues to work well together.