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:
Location : We support US flexible working arrangements in the contiguous 48 states, however for this role we prefer candidates who reside within a commutable distance to either Wellesley Hills, MA or Portland, ME.
At Sun Life, we look for optimistic people who want to make life brighter for our Clients. We understand the value of diverse cultures, perspectives, and identities, and want you to bring your full and authentic self to work. Every day, you’ll be empowered and challenged by working with dynamic colleagues to find new and innovative ways to make Sun Life the best benefits company in America.
The opportunity:
As the US Benefits Leader, you will be responsible for overseeing and executing a comprehensive employee benefits strategy that supports the achievement of Sun Life’s purpose of helping people achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives.
In this position you will play a key role in driving the design and delivery of innovative, cost-effective, and employee-centric benefits programs that support the business strategy, talent management objectives, and total rewards strategy for employees in the US. As a leader in the function, you will have the opportunity to engage with partners in various geographies to share best practices and identify areas of synergy across the broader enterprise.
How you will contribute:
Innovate: Identify opportunities to enhance our programs to deliver a modern, compelling, and integrated benefits experiences for US employees. Conduct periodic reviews of the benefits portfolio and benchmarking against industry peers to ensure plans remain competitive and aligned with evolving workforce trends. Leverage internal and external data to design, evolve and sunset programs to ensure we have competitive, market-aligned benefits programs that attract, retain, and engage top talent.
People Leadership: Lead, inspire, and develop a team of 12 benefits professionals. Create a culture of curious, capable, data oriented, agile, and caring benefits professionals who deliver benefits, retirement, and wellness initiatives to drive key business outcomes and support the foundational work of the function. Develop people through coaching, continuous feedback, sharing expertise, and providing new experiences.
Strategic Communications: Support employees through simple, streamlined, and impactful communications regarding available benefits, eligibility, enrollment, and plan changes in a way that drives participation and empowers employees to make decisions. Develop a communication strategy to enable easy access to information within our complex benefits system.
Relationship Management: Manage relationships with benefits vendors, carriers, and brokers to negotiate favorable contracts and resolve any issues that arise. Develop relationships with internal business partners to support the delivery of cutting edge programs to our employees and clients. Work with internal stakeholders across business groups to ensure there is alignment and coordination on changes or new programs that impact employees.
Financial Acumen: Analyze benefits utilization and claims data to identify opportunities for cost savings or plan enhancements that optimize the return on investment while still providing a compelling and comprehensive benefits package. Prepare and oversee annual benefits budgets and forecasts to maintain fiscal responsibility.
Processes and Governance: Oversee the end-to-end benefits administration process, including enrollment, eligibility, and claims resolution, to deliver a positive employee experience. Stay abreast of regulatory changes and industry trends to proactively adapt the benefits strategy and ensure ongoing compliance. Ensure existing and new programs are fully compliant with all applicable laws and regulations to mitigate organizational risk. Leverage digital solutions to streamline internal process to ensure the team is focused on the highest priority work.
What you will bring with you:
Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred. 10+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration and management with in-depth knowledge of employee benefit programs including health insurance, retirement, and savings plans, point solutions, and wellness initiatives. Strong understanding of relevant laws and regulations (e.g., ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA). Strong knowledge of nondiscrimination testing required. Proficient in using HR information systems and data analysis tools.
Talent Development: Dynamic people leader with demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing teams. Experience coaching, mentoring, and providing professional development opportunities for team members through collaboration and cross functional work.
Communication and Presentation Skills: Exceptional communication and presentation skills to effectively engage with employees and senior leadership. Ability to translate the value of benefits programs in simple and compelling language. Experience working with communications partners to help employees understand the value of our programs.
Data Analytics and Storytelling: Excellent analytical and problem solving skills. Ability to measure outcomes, interpret and synthesize complex information for stakeholders, and provide compelling rationales using data.
Change Management: Experience delivering program redesign projects in large matrixed organizations. Ability to obtain executive buy-in, engage and influence multiple stakeholders, manage through ambiguity, address challenges, and meet timelines. M&A experience highly desired. Ability to manage multiple initiatives and projects simultaneously and shift focus with changing priorities.
Do you see yourself in this role even if you haven’t checked all the boxes above? We welcome all talented candidates and are committed to a culture that represents diversity in all forms. If you think you might thrive in this setting, we would love to hear from you.
Life is brighter when you work at Sun Life
Excellent benefits and wellness programs to support the three pillars of your well-being – mental, physical and financial – including generous vacation and sick time, market-leading paid family, parental and adoption leave, a partially-paid sabbatical program, medical plans, company paid life and AD&D insurance as well as disability programs and more.
Retirement and Stock Purchase programs to help build and enhance your future financial security including a 401(k) plan with an employer-paid match as well as an employer-funded retirement account.
A flexible work environment with a friendly, caring, collaborative and inclusive culture.
Great Place to Work Certified in Canada and the U.S.
Named as a “Top 10” employer by the Boston Globe's “Top Places to Work” two years running.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
We consider various factors in determining actual pay including your skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition to salary, this position is eligible for incentive awards based on individual and business performance as well as a broad range of competitive benefits.
Sun Life Financial is a leading provider of group insurance benefits in the U.S., helping people protect what they love about their lives. More than just a name, Sun Life symbolizes our brand promise of making life brighter -for our customers, partners, and communities. Join our talented, diverse workforce and launch a rewarding career. Visit us at to learn more.
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Our Affirmative Action Program affirms our commitment to make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitation of otherwise-qualified individuals with disabilities or special disabled veterans, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. Please email to request an accommodation.
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Job Category: Human Resources
Posting End Date: 24/10/2024
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