Senior Specialist, Strategic Planning and Operations, Corporate Communications

Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial

Marketing & Communications, Operations

Toronto, ON, Canada · Waterloo, ON, Canada

USD 60k-97k / year

Posted on May 18, 2026

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:

Are you a strategic communications professional who thrives on turning insights into action? Do you enjoy working at the intersection of communications strategy, analytics, archives and operations to drive meaningful business outcomes?

We're seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Senior Specialist to support Sun Life's Corporate Communications strategic planning and operations activities. In this role, you'll work closely with the Director, Corporate Communications – Strategic Planning and Operations, supporting annual planning processes, metrics and measurement, operational initiatives, and corporate archives management.

We’re looking for someone who can balance multiple priorities, is curious, can work effectively across diverse teams, and consistently deliver results.

What will you do?

Strategic planning & metrics and measurement support

  • Support the Director with the annual and quarterly strategic planning process, helping prepare quarterly reports and analysis, working across teams to help track key metrics and communications initiatives against strategic objectives

  • Create presentations and briefing materials that synthesize complex data into actionable insights for leadership review

  • Conduct research on communications trends, best practices, and emerging tools to support continuous improvement of the Corporate Communications function

Operations & vendor management support

  • Assist with vendor management activities including contract tracking, performance monitoring, and coordination with Strategic Sourcing on RFPs and renewals and third-party risk management (TPRM) process

  • Identify opportunities to streamline processes and improve team productivity through better use of systems and tools

  • Maintain documentation of team processes, procedures, and best practices, including onboarding materials for new hires

Risk, compliance and business continuity planning support

  • Support the Director in their role as Operational Risk Officer (ORO) by tracking compliance-related activities and maintaining required documentation for quarterly and yearly risk management reporting

  • Assist with privacy program activities including Privacy Impact Assessment reviews and privacy incident tracking

  • Support business continuity planning processes, including program submissions and documentation updates

Corporate Archives support

Work with the Corporate Archivist to help support the following areas:

  • Help manage the processing of digital archival content, ensuring proper metadata capture and entry according to archival standards

  • Respond to internal information requests, providing timely research support and historical resources to the Corporate Communications team and broader organization

  • Research, draft, and coordinate the publishing of historical internal posts that connect employees with Sun Life's heritage

  • Maintain and enhance digital archives systems including InMagic DBTextworks, Preservica, and ArchivesSpace

  • Process digital backlog materials to ensure historical records are preserved and accessible for future use

  • Support physical collections management and on-site research activities as needed

What do you need to succeed?

Education & Experience

  • University degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Information Management, or related field

  • 3-5 years of experience in corporate communications, strategic planning, operations, or related fields

  • Experience with archives management, information management, or digital content management is an asset

  • Familiarity with archival standards and metadata frameworks is an asset

Technical Skills

  • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) with advanced skills in data analysis and presentation development

  • Experience with Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Acrobat) and archives management systems (e.g., InMagic DBTextworks, Preservica, ArchivesSpace) is an asset

  • Comfort learning and adopting new technologies and digital tools to improve performance

  • Ability to perform data analysis and translate findings into clear, actionable insights

Key competencies and personal attributes

  • Results-oriented: consistently delivers on highest priority work, helps develop practical solutions and demonstrates responsibility for outcomes

  • Strong attention to detail with excellent organizational and project management skills

  • Proactive and positive approach with demonstrated initiative and problem-solving ability

  • Passion for research, data analysis, and storytelling

  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously

  • Comfort working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

  • Discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive information

What's in it for you?

  • Meaningful work: Contribute to communications strategy that shapes how Sun Life connects with stakeholders globally while preserving our organizational history

  • Professional growth: Develop expertise across strategic planning, operations, analytics, and archives management with exposure to senior leadership

  • Collaborative culture: Work with a talented, supportive team that values diverse perspectives and creative ideas

  • Continuous learning: Access to learning opportunities and exposure to innovative tools and best practices in corporate communications

  • Flexibility: Hybrid work arrangement that balances in-office collaboration with remote work flexibility

*LI-NB1

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:

60,000/60 000 - 97,000/97 000

Job Category:

Communications

Posting End Date:

24/05/2026