AVP, High Net Worth - Insurance Operations

Reporting to the Chief Underwriter, the AVP, High Net Worth - Insurance Operations is accountable for leading the strategic direction, underwriting excellence, and premium client experience for Sun Life’s High Net Worth (HNW) and Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) segments within Insurance Operations. This role combines deep technical underwriting expertise with client-centric and servicing leadership to deliver industry-leading risk assessment, advisor experience, and white glove client service. 

What will you do?

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide senior technical leadership across medical, non-medical, financial, and complex underwriting risk assessment for HNW/UHNW cases. 

• Lead and develop a high-performing underwriting & new business team, fostering a culture of coaching, mentorship, accountability, and continuous learning. 

• Champion a premium service model, ensuring a relationship-led, client-centric experience and high-touch end-to-end service, from application entry to policy issue. 

• Partner closely with Distribution, Pricing, Reinsurance, and New Business teams to ensure a seamless, end-to-end client and advisor experience. 

• Drive consistency, speed, and clarity in underwriting decision-making, aligned with Sun Life’s risk appetite and market competitiveness. 

• Act as a senior escalation point for complex or high-profile cases and provide advanced underwriting authority. 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with advisors, reinsurers, and internal stakeholders to strengthen Sun Life’s position in the HNW market. 

• Lead, champion and enforce process optimization and innovation initiatives focused on improving client experience and reducing cycle times. 

• Embed accountability for outcomes, performance metrics, and service standards across the HNW underwriting ecosystem. 

• Stay current on industry trends, tax and regulatory changes, and emerging underwriting practices to inform strategic decisions. 

Leadership Accountabilities 

• Build and sustain an inclusive, high-performance culture focused on client outcomes and operational excellence. 

• Develop talent pipelines and succession plans to ensure long-term capability in High-Net-Worth new business & underwriting. 

• Drive employee engagement and capability development through coaching, feedback, and performance management. 

• Lead change management initiatives aligned with transformation of the HNW underwriting model. 

What do you need to succeed?

• 10+ years of underwriting experience, with deep expertise in large case and High Net Worth Underwriting  

• Advanced knowledge of medical, financial, legal, and reinsurance risk assessment. 

• Strong leadership experience with a proven ability to build, drive and lead high-performing teams. 

• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and cross-functional partners. 

• Strong business and financial acumen, with an understanding of the impact of underwriting decisions. 

• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and relationship management skills. 

• Experience driving operational transformation or service model redesign is 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.

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What's in it for you?

• 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.

• We’re also listed as one of the Best Workplaces for Women and Best Workplaces with Most Trusted Executive Teams.

• Join one of our many Inclusion Networks. These voluntary, employee-led groups are dedicated to creating connection, fostering inclusivity, and building community.

• Charitable giving through our You Give, We Give program lets you give back to your community – and in many cases, we’ll match your contributions.