AVP, New Business and Underwriting
Top Benefits
About the role
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. Job Description: The AVP, New Business & Underwriting (NB/UW) is an operational leadership role accountable for the full NB/UW value chain, from application submission through underwriting to policy issuance, across all distribution channels, including Sun Life Financial Distributors, Individual Insurance Distribution, Prospr, and Group Benefits. This role is responsible for delivering consistent, high-quality service outcomes, strengthening advisor and client experience, and advancing a unified operating model that enables scale, agility, and performance. The AVP leads a large, multi-layered organization and plays a critical role in modernizing underwriting capabilities, driving enterprise transformation priorities, and building a high-performing, future-ready workforce. What will you do? This role operates at the intersection of strategic execution and service delivery, ensuring that priorities translate into measurable improvements in service experience, speed and quality. End-to-End Operations Leadership Lead the full NB/UW value chain from application submission through underwriting to policy issuance. Ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery across all client segments and distribution channels. Deliver measurable improvements in cycle time, productivity, and service outcomes. Drive standardized processes and segmentation-based service models to improve efficiency and experience. Organizational Leadership & Talent Development Lead a large, complex organization comprising ~450+ FTEs across all segments of new business and underwriting in Canada and Asia. Establish strong governance, accountability, and performance management disciplines across teams. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and operational excellence. Shape and execute talent strategies, including workforce planning, capability development, and leadership succession. Drive employee engagement and retention through inclusive leadership and development opportunities. Advisor & Client Experience Deliver differentiated service experiences aligned to business and service delivery model. Strengthen the advisor support model, including escalation management and Tier 2 support capabilities. Improve placement rates, reduce cycle times, and enhance ease of doing business for firms, MGAs, advisors, plan sponsors, and clients. Partner closely with Distribution and Business Units to align service delivery with advisor and client expectations. Transformation & Change Leadership Lead modernization of underwriting operations, including operating model redesign, digital enablement, and platform transformation. Drive optimization of a unified underwriting model to improve consistency and reduce duplication. Champion continuous improvement to increase agility and accelerate innovation. Partner with enterprise teams to deliver strategic priorities such as automation, cycle time reduction, and end-to-end process optimization. Strategy, Governance & Enterprise Integration Align NB/UW priorities with enterprise strategy, ensuring clear linkage between service outcomes and business performance. Strengthen governance, risk management, and compliance practices across operations (aligned to Director accountability). Act as a key partner to Distribution, Business Units, and enterprise stakeholders to ensure alignment and integration. Maintain a focus on data-driven decision making, transparency, and continuous performance improvement. Drive employee engagement and retention through inclusive leadership and development opportunities. Profile of the Leader This role is suited for a large-scale operational leader and enterprise change agent who brings both strategic perspective and disciplined execution. The successful candidate demonstrates: Proven experience leading large-scale operations (200+ FTEs) in insurance or financial services Deep expertise in underwriting, new business operations, or end-to-end insurance processes Ability to lead transformation and operating model redesign initiatives Strong track record of improving service performance and client/advisor experience Experience leading multi-layered leadership teams and building high-performing cultures Strategic thinker combined with strong execution and change leadership capability In addition, the leader: Operates with an enterprise mindset across channels and functions Brings strong judgement and comfort leading through ambiguity and transformation Uses data and insights to drive decisions and continuous improvement Builds alignment through strong stakeholder management and collaboration Develops future-ready talent and inclusive, high-performing teams What success looks like Service performance is consistent, predictable, and aligned across all distribution channels Cycle times and placement outcomes improve, with measurable gains in advisor and client experience The underwriting operating model is simplified, scalable, and aligned to service model Transformation initiatives deliver tangible outcomes (speed, efficiency, automation) Leaders at all levels are accountable, aligned, and delivering results through strong execution discipline Employee engagement, capability, and retention strengthen across the organization What's in it for you? Being a member of the Sun Life family, a group of people united by our Purpose: to help Clients and Employees achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Working together, sharing common values, and encouraging growth & achievement Flexible Benefits from the day you join to meet the needs of you and your family. In 2025, Sun Life ranked among the top 100 most sustainable global corporations by Corporate Knights for the 16th consecutive year, leading Canadian insurers. We’re also listed as one of the Best Workplaces for Women and Best Workplaces with Most Trusted Executive Teams. 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. 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! Several work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs. We may use artificial intelligence to support candidate sourcing, screening, interview scheduling. We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Salary Range: 140,000/140 000 - 225,000/225 000 Job Category: Customer Service / Operations Posting End Date: 16/07/2026 Shine together At Sun Life, you can be your most brilliant self. Our supportive, flexible, and inclusive work environment is one where you – and your career – can thrive. Whatever your aspirations, collaborative leaders and colleagues are ready to help you learn, grow, and succeed. Make life brighter We’re a global company with a passion for people. Our purpose is to help Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. As a team of 30,000 across 26 countries, our impact is far-reaching, and locally relevant There’s power in numbers. As part of Sun Life’s growing team, you have an impact on people in your community and around the world. Shape the future With an optimistic eye on a brighter future, we drive to innovate. Be part of leading change, push boundaries and try new ways of working. Use data to drive bold actions. Be agile and pivot as we test and learn. At Sun Life, we’re driving transformation, sustainability and innovation for our Clients, employees, partners, and communities. Join us. Together, we can make the future brighter. Join a top employer for a brighter future. Visit Sun Life Careers
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AVP, New Business and Underwriting
Top Benefits
About the role
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. Job Description: The AVP, New Business & Underwriting (NB/UW) is an operational leadership role accountable for the full NB/UW value chain, from application submission through underwriting to policy issuance, across all distribution channels, including Sun Life Financial Distributors, Individual Insurance Distribution, Prospr, and Group Benefits. This role is responsible for delivering consistent, high-quality service outcomes, strengthening advisor and client experience, and advancing a unified operating model that enables scale, agility, and performance. The AVP leads a large, multi-layered organization and plays a critical role in modernizing underwriting capabilities, driving enterprise transformation priorities, and building a high-performing, future-ready workforce. What will you do? This role operates at the intersection of strategic execution and service delivery, ensuring that priorities translate into measurable improvements in service experience, speed and quality. End-to-End Operations Leadership Lead the full NB/UW value chain from application submission through underwriting to policy issuance. Ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery across all client segments and distribution channels. Deliver measurable improvements in cycle time, productivity, and service outcomes. Drive standardized processes and segmentation-based service models to improve efficiency and experience. Organizational Leadership & Talent Development Lead a large, complex organization comprising ~450+ FTEs across all segments of new business and underwriting in Canada and Asia. Establish strong governance, accountability, and performance management disciplines across teams. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and operational excellence. Shape and execute talent strategies, including workforce planning, capability development, and leadership succession. Drive employee engagement and retention through inclusive leadership and development opportunities. Advisor & Client Experience Deliver differentiated service experiences aligned to business and service delivery model. Strengthen the advisor support model, including escalation management and Tier 2 support capabilities. Improve placement rates, reduce cycle times, and enhance ease of doing business for firms, MGAs, advisors, plan sponsors, and clients. Partner closely with Distribution and Business Units to align service delivery with advisor and client expectations. Transformation & Change Leadership Lead modernization of underwriting operations, including operating model redesign, digital enablement, and platform transformation. Drive optimization of a unified underwriting model to improve consistency and reduce duplication. Champion continuous improvement to increase agility and accelerate innovation. Partner with enterprise teams to deliver strategic priorities such as automation, cycle time reduction, and end-to-end process optimization. Strategy, Governance & Enterprise Integration Align NB/UW priorities with enterprise strategy, ensuring clear linkage between service outcomes and business performance. Strengthen governance, risk management, and compliance practices across operations (aligned to Director accountability). Act as a key partner to Distribution, Business Units, and enterprise stakeholders to ensure alignment and integration. Maintain a focus on data-driven decision making, transparency, and continuous performance improvement. Drive employee engagement and retention through inclusive leadership and development opportunities. Profile of the Leader This role is suited for a large-scale operational leader and enterprise change agent who brings both strategic perspective and disciplined execution. The successful candidate demonstrates: Proven experience leading large-scale operations (200+ FTEs) in insurance or financial services Deep expertise in underwriting, new business operations, or end-to-end insurance processes Ability to lead transformation and operating model redesign initiatives Strong track record of improving service performance and client/advisor experience Experience leading multi-layered leadership teams and building high-performing cultures Strategic thinker combined with strong execution and change leadership capability In addition, the leader: Operates with an enterprise mindset across channels and functions Brings strong judgement and comfort leading through ambiguity and transformation Uses data and insights to drive decisions and continuous improvement Builds alignment through strong stakeholder management and collaboration Develops future-ready talent and inclusive, high-performing teams What success looks like Service performance is consistent, predictable, and aligned across all distribution channels Cycle times and placement outcomes improve, with measurable gains in advisor and client experience The underwriting operating model is simplified, scalable, and aligned to service model Transformation initiatives deliver tangible outcomes (speed, efficiency, automation) Leaders at all levels are accountable, aligned, and delivering results through strong execution discipline Employee engagement, capability, and retention strengthen across the organization What's in it for you? Being a member of the Sun Life family, a group of people united by our Purpose: to help Clients and Employees achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Working together, sharing common values, and encouraging growth & achievement Flexible Benefits from the day you join to meet the needs of you and your family. In 2025, Sun Life ranked among the top 100 most sustainable global corporations by Corporate Knights for the 16th consecutive year, leading Canadian insurers. We’re also listed as one of the Best Workplaces for Women and Best Workplaces with Most Trusted Executive Teams. 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. 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! Several work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs. We may use artificial intelligence to support candidate sourcing, screening, interview scheduling. We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Salary Range: 140,000/140 000 - 225,000/225 000 Job Category: Customer Service / Operations Posting End Date: 16/07/2026 Shine together At Sun Life, you can be your most brilliant self. Our supportive, flexible, and inclusive work environment is one where you – and your career – can thrive. Whatever your aspirations, collaborative leaders and colleagues are ready to help you learn, grow, and succeed. Make life brighter We’re a global company with a passion for people. Our purpose is to help Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. As a team of 30,000 across 26 countries, our impact is far-reaching, and locally relevant There’s power in numbers. As part of Sun Life’s growing team, you have an impact on people in your community and around the world. Shape the future With an optimistic eye on a brighter future, we drive to innovate. Be part of leading change, push boundaries and try new ways of working. Use data to drive bold actions. Be agile and pivot as we test and learn. At Sun Life, we’re driving transformation, sustainability and innovation for our Clients, employees, partners, and communities. Join us. Together, we can make the future brighter. Join a top employer for a brighter future. Visit Sun Life Careers