Director, New Business and Underwriting

Job Description :Sun Life Canada is on an exciting journey of innovation and transformation to deepen our commitment to our One Sun purpose: to help clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. The New Business & Underwriting team oversees Life and Health insurance applications across multiple channels and client segments. From initial submission through underwriting decisions, issuance, and final settlement, this team ensures a seamless, client‑centric experience.About the role:The Director, New Business & Underwriting leads a large, multi-site team of Underwriters, Case Managers and New Business Administrators dedicated to delivering exceptional service to Top Advisors across the Sun Life and Independent Distribution channels.Reporting to the AVP, New Business & Underwriting, this role provides strategic, operational, and people leadership to elevate advisor and Client experience, drive operational excellence, and champion continuous improvement.What you will be doing:Operational LeadershipLead daily operations with a focus on Client service, advisor satisfaction, efficiency, and quality.Consistently meet or exceed service performance targets in a cost‑effective manner.Optimize processes and workforce planning to support evolving New Business & Underwriting objectives.Embed strong management operating system principles to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and operational discipline.People LeadershipBuild and mentor a high-performing, diverse, and talented team across multiple sites focused on delivering business results.Foster a positive, inclusive work environment that values people and encourages participation, learning, and empowerment in alignment with our brand.Develop strong, collaborative relationships with key partners across the organization.Advisor & Client ServiceChampion a Client-centric culture and lead strategies to continuously improve advisor satisfaction.Oversee complex case escalations, ensuring root-cause resolution and prevention of recurrence.Represent Sun Life’s service strategy internally and externally, reinforcing commitment to client-centric service excellence.Risk Management & GovernanceImplement and strengthen controls, governance, compliance practices, and reporting to ensure operational integrity.What you need to succeed:Qualifications & ExperienceProven ability to lead, motivate, and develop large, high-performing teams.Strong influencing skills and ability to collaborate effectively across a complex organization.Exceptional relationship‑building and Client service orientation.Demonstrated success driving change, creating vision, and delivering measurable results quickly.Balanced analytical and creative problem‑solving skills with a data‑driven mindset.5+ years of experience in financial services.Assets/Nice to HaveKnowledge of the Canadian retail insurance and distribution landscape.Life Insurance Underwriting experience with or working towards AALU or FALU designation.University degree.As this position is posted in several locations, we specify that bilingualism (French, English, both oral and written) is required for Quebec only for the frequent interactions with English and French-speaking colleagues or internal partners across Canada or worldwide.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.As a hybrid organization, you and your leader use business and Client needs to choose where you work, at home or in the office.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.We are thrilled to be recognized by Excellence Canada with their top-level certification, the Canada Order of Excellence for Mental Health at Work®, for prioritizing employee well-being, fostering a positive work culture, and achieving excellence in mental health.