Director, Retirement Plans

Director, Retirement Plans

Sun Life embraces a hybrid work model that balances in-office collaboration with the flexibility of virtual work. Our team members and leaders are expected to foster connection and teamwork by being present in the office at least 2 days per week.

The opportunity:

The Director, Retirement Plans is a strategic program leader responsible for driving the vision, direction and optimization of Sun Life's retirement and savings plans portfolio. The scope of accountability includes 401(k)/RIA Plan with $2B+ in assets, closed Defined Benefit Pension Plan with $250M in assets, qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and Nonqualified Plans. This role requires deep analytical capabilities to translate complex data into actionable insights, independent judgement to develop compliant and sound plan strategies, and strong people leadership to build and mentor a high-performing team. The Director will champion operational excellence and regulatory compliance, leveraging best practices and emerging technologies to ensure plan integrity while enhancing the participant experience.

How you will contribute:

• As a member of the Total Benefits Leadership team, drive the strategic direction of Sun Life's retirement and savings plans in alignment with business objectives and long-term organizational goals.
• Oversee the operations of all retirement and savings plans ensuring adherence to plan documents, federal, state, and local regulations, including ERISA compliance.
• Lead data-driven decision-making by developing meaningful analytics, translating complex data into strategic insights and actionable recommendations that optimize plan design, reduce costs, and improve participant outcomes.
• Independently develop high-quality presentations and business cases that communicate complex retirement plan concepts clearly to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
• Cultivate and manage partnerships with key plan vendors and advisors by negotiating contracts, ensuring accurate plan administration and benefit calculations, and driving continuous improvement in service delivery, employee communications, and cost management.
• Champion continuous improvement and process optimization by identifying operational inefficiencies, designing, documenting, and implementing streamlined processes, and leveraging emerging technologies and tools to increase team productivity and reduce manual work.
• Build and cultivate a high performing team by providing coaching, continuous feedback, knowledge sharing, and targeted development opportunities.
• Liaise with other departments such as Treasury, Payroll, Tax, Compensation, and Legal to ensure proper plan operations, including compliance notices and documents.
• Collaborate with Finance and vendor partners to ensure financial accuracy of plans and oversee annual retirement plan audits.
• Manage semi-annual ESPP enrollment process including participant communications and facilitation of the purchase of shares.
• Proactively stay current on legislative changes, regulatory guidance and industry best practices to ensure programs remain compliant and competitively positioned.
• Lead large-scale projects and change initiatives, including company integrations, with a focus on stakeholder engagement, seamless implementation, risk management, and operational excellence.

What you will bring with you:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience
• 10+ years of experience in managing retirement plans for a mid-size to large organizations, with a strong focus on innovative solutions, employee experience and financial management
• Proven ability to effectively lead and develop teams
• Deep expertise in qualified and nonqualified retirement plans (DC and DB), ERISA, and state and tax benefit laws
• Experience with mergers and acquisitions a plus
• Solid knowledge and understanding of HR programs and connections
• Action-oriented, focused on execution, improving employees' experience through continuous improvement, and operational excellence
• Excellent interpersonal/communications skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex concepts in simple terms to retiring executives and others
• Ability to build effective partnerships within the Company
• Excellent project management and planning skills including the ability to lead, plan, and organize complex assignments
• Excellent excel and analytical skills with ability to summarize results in understandable format with insights
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and problem solve complex issues
• Ability to work well independently or collaboratively as needed and succeed in a fast paced, fluid environment

Salary Range: $145,000 - $217,500

At our company, we are committed to pay transparency and equity. The salary range for this role is competitive nationwide, and we strive to ensure that compensation is fair and equitable. Your actual base salary will be determined based on your unique skills, qualifications, experience, education, and geographic location. In addition to your base salary, this position is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive award based on your individual performance as well as the overall performance of the business. We are dedicated to creating a work environment where everyone is rewarded for their contributions.

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We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees feel they belong, are supported and empowered to thrive. We are dedicated to building teams with varied experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and ideas that benefit our colleagues, clients, and the communities where we operate. We encourage applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Life is brighter when you work at Sun Life

At Sun Life, we prioritize your well-being with comprehensive benefits, including generous vacation and sick time, market-leading paid family, parental and adoption leave, medical coverage, company paid life and AD&D insurance, disability programs and a partially paid sabbatical program. Plan for your future with our 401(k) employer match, stock purchase options and an employer-funded retirement account. Enjoy a flexible, inclusive and collaborative work environment that supports career growth. We're proud to be recognized in our communities as a top employer. Proudly Great Place to Work® Certified in Canada and the U.S., we've also been recognized as a "Top 10" employer by the Boston Globe's "Top Places to Work" for two years in a row. Visit our website to learn more about our benefits and recognition within our communities.

We will make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations 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 View email address on click.appcast.io to request an accommodation.

For applicants residing in California, please read our employee California Privacy Policy and Notice.

We do not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.

Sun Life will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including applicable fair chance ordinances.

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.

Job Category: Human Resources

Posting End Date: 14/06/2026