AVP, Global Government Affairs and Public Policy, Canada 

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.

At Sun Life, we're driven by our Purpose: helping our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Our values shape how we work: caring, authentic, bold, inspiring, and impactful.

When you join Sun Life, you'll work with passionate colleagues and empowering leaders who support your growth and celebrate your contributions, so you can make a meaningful difference in our Clients' lives.

Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

The AVP, Global Government Affairs and Public Policy, Canada has responsibility for Sun Life Canada’s advocacy, regulatory / public policy engagement in support of Sun Life Health & Group Retirement Services. This mandate requires an expert-level understanding of the Canadian political landscape at both the federal and provincial level to properly understand how to successfully engage with political parties of all stripes and across all regions.

The incumbent will have a deep understanding of the public policy landscape that Sun Life Health and Group Retirement Services (GRS) operates within, including but not limited to health (pharmacare, virtual care, dental care, public versus private payors and delivery, mental health) and retirement and pensions (defined benefit and defined contribution plans) and others.

What will you do:

• Act as a senior advisor to the SVP Sun Life Health and the SVP Group Retirement Services and other senior leaders, and working with Government Affairs leadership
• Lead the development and implementation of a strategic and proactive government affairs and public policy plans for Sun Life Health and Sun Life Group Retirement Services
• Responsibility for Sun Life Health & Group Retirement Services external interactions in the advocacy, regulatory and public policy space
• Lead a team with accountability for engagement with federal and provincial governments and regulators

What do you need to succeed:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience (or equivalent) in public policy and government affairs in the public or private sectors.
• Experience in the health and/or financial services sector an asset, including insurance, banking, wealth management, pensions.
• Experience leading a team.
• Undergraduate degree plus Masters degree is an asset.
• Possess strong knowledge of the regulatory landscape across Canada impacting relevant business units, including in health and group benefits, group and individual pension products, at both the federal and provincial levels.
• Experience with large, matrixed organizations and the ability to work closely and collaboratively with internal stakeholders including business units, legal, compliance, communications and others.
• Proven ability to build issues-based coalitions both within and outside Sun Life Canada’s sector to advocate on files related to health, pensions and others.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a high performing team and performing highly complex assignments, developing, coordinating and executing strategies, including managing remote staff.
• A proven ability to develop talent and ensure strong continuity in a dynamic work environment.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, as well as presentation writing and delivery of executive-level briefings.
• English/French bilingual an asset.

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.

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 [email protected].

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.

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:

145,000/145 000 - 235,000/235 000

Job Category:

Government Relations and Policy

Posting End Date:

23/08/2026