VP, Market Development and Growth

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Job Description:

Vice President, Market Development and Growth, Health Solutions

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Health Solutions, the Vice-President Market Development and Growth is accountable for developing and executing product and marketing strategies and solutions that will differentiate Sun Life Financial in the marketplace and support our position as the leading Health and Group Benefits provider in Canada.   The incumbent will ensure we remain on the leading edge of opportunities as the consumer and Group Insurance market and environment continue to evolve and will play a major role in the development of our brand positioning. The incumbent will also ensure that strong partnerships are in place across businesses to leverage the full potential for the organization as a whole.

This role will be accountable for leading the teams that deliver go-to-market strategies and commercial partnerships that grow our consumer segment and revenue, and the design and delivery of group benefits products and our Lumino care navigation platform linking health care providers to plan members and consumers.  This role is also the Health Solutions relationship lead for our Group Benefits business and is accountable for representing Group Benefits product needs, equipping business development teams with product knowledge and insights into Health Solutions, and direct support of targeted Sponsor business development.

Key Priorities

• Development of the overall strategic direction and execution of key Health Benefits and Care Navigation product strategies and initiatives
• Development of go-to-market strategies, including consumer commercial relationships and consumer marketing plans (in partnership with AVP, Health Marketing)
• Leadership of a team of professionals that are focused on creating solutions involving the development of detailed, achievable and executable business plans
• As a member of the GB Leadership team, contribute to the evolution of the overall GB strategy and represent GB on cross BU initiatives as appropriate
• Maintain a high profile for Health Solutions in the marketplace through active and visible participation in the industry: speaking engagements, membership in industry organizations, and attendance at industry conferences
• As a member of the   Health Solutions Leadership team, contribute to the evolution of the overall Lumino Health Solutions strategy and represent Lumino Health Solutions on cross BU initiatives as appropriate
• Champion and foster a culture and mindset of innovation and continuous improvement within Sun Life Health

Health Solutions Product Management

• Provide business leadership and oversight to the complete group benefits product portfolio ensuring design and delivery of a robust and innovative suite of products enabling GB to differentiate and compete in the benefit marketplace
• Provide business leadership and oversight to the Lumino care navigation offering, working with internal partners to develop leading product solutions for providers, members and consumers.
• Accountable for the feasibility, design, testing and execution of new product and service offerings in partnership with the Health Product and Platform team
• Accountable for the assessment of overall product impact and sustainable growth
• Overall accountability for ensuring all current and new GB products (Wellness and Health solutions, Dental, Disability), are compliant with SLF and legislative requirements
• Overall leadership of Sun Life’s Pharmaceutical Strategy that includes building pharma plan-design options that provide best value for plan sponsors, support for external partnerships and representing SLF in the marketplace
• Accountable for developing and managing effective, focused relationships with third party vendors, government agencies and industry associations and forums  to ensure the effective delivery of service and to create a collaborate working environment
  • Demonstrate thought leadership by turning needs shared by Business Development, Disability and Clients into new products or product enhancements

Go-to-Market and Client Experience

• Provides leadership and oversight to the Health Solutions marketing mandate, including marketing to health care providers and, in partnership with the AVP, Health Marketing, direct-to-consumer marketing to differentiate and expand Sun Life’s presence  in the consumer health  market in Canada
• Provide leadership in the strategic development and implementation of commercial partnerships needed to expand our consumer health business.
• Leads Health Solutions partnership with other Sun Life businesses, including Retail Advice and Solutions, and Group Retirement, to grow the adoption our products
• Represents group member engagement opportunities, influencing internal partner digital development plans, journeys and roadmaps
• Works with internal partners to influence development of an integrated health client data platform and analytics capabilities needed to grow the adoption of Health Solutions digital products and associated revenue
• In partnership with the VP, Market Development, GRS, lead the Total Benefits value proposition for GB and GRS focusing on key clients and market partner in supporting of differentiating SLF as the premier provider of Total Benefits

Required Competencies:

• Strong Strategic orientation - ability to identify and pursue opportunities that will either build on or extend our consumer and sponsor business models.  Ability to contribute at the SLF Canada level and to find ways of leveraging health solutions more broadly
• Strong understanding of the current competitive landscape, product trends and evolving client and advisor needs to effectively innovate, develop and maintain all products.
• Strong client focus orientation - including ability to connect with clients at senior levels, understand their strategic direction and translate into leading edge solutions
• Anticipates and identifies changes in the market, clients, industry and economic trends and translates these into actions that drive business objectives forward
• Strong coach with a focus on developing the team and is insightful about the talent the organization needs to be successful; recruits and develops people with this in mind
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong negotiating skills
• Strong commitment to building constructive partnerships (both internal & external)
• Proven ability to manage large scale programs and projects with focus on delivery of outcomes
• Expert knowledge of the consumer health and group benefits industry
• Excellent presentation skills and personal presence
• Ability to influence decision-makers both internally and externally to take action
• Fluency in French would be an asset

Education and Experience:

• University degree is a requirement
• Deep knowledge and experience in the Group Benefits market in Canada
• Minimum 10 years progressively responsible experience coupled with minimum 5 years of leadership experience, ideally in the Health / Group Benefits space

Other Requirements

• Ability and willingness to represent SLF on industry associations and committees
• Willingness to travel as required

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].

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Salary Range:

195,000/195 000 - 270,000/270 000

Job Category:

General Management

Posting End Date:

25/01/2025