Associate Director

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:

Job Summary:

About Sun Life

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth, and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life has operations in several markets worldwide and is headquartered in Canada. Other locations include the United States, Ireland, and business in Asia - Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Bermuda. SLF also operates its JV in India & China.

Sun Life Global Solutions (SLGS) is a global in-house shared services capability center for Sun Life businesses across the globe. The term 'SLGS' is collectively used for its two centers in India & Philippines. SLGS has achieved scale and operational maturity, with 5000+ employees supporting insurance processes across Canada & U.S.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Risk Management specialist to join our insurance Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team for Asia to strengthen governance & oversight from a 1st line perspective. This role offers an opportunity to play a crucial part in safeguarding our company's financial stability and operational integrity & resilience, while contributing to the overall success of our business in Asia.

The Asst. Director – Governance, Risk & Compliance will be required to assist in strengthening the control framework and lead Risk and Compliance related programs/activities with the objective of ensuring 1st line Operations remains compliant with relevant operational and regulatory requirements.

This role is to support Asia BG across Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Bermuda. We offer life, health and wealth management solutions. Through our advisors, we are supporting more than 20 million Clients in Asia with their financial and physical wellbeing so they have a better, healthier future. Our ambition is to grow in all of our markets, with world-class distribution capabilities and operational excellence powered by a Digital Enterprise, while investing in the right talent.

Responsibilities:

• Drive Operational/Compliance Risk programs for business functions across markets and assist in strengthening the internal control environment.
• Maintain internal control playbooks, risk assessments and establish the quarterly attestation process across the area of responsibility.
• Drive risk assessments related to new business/projects/initiatives within business implement risk management strategies and policies to minimize exposure.
• Identify Operational Risks and provide recommendations on additional controls.
• Drive risk management programs such as Risk Control Self-Assessments (RCSA) & Process, Risk, Control (PRC) etc.
• Analyze insurance policies, claims data, and operational processes to identify potential risks and vulnerabilities.
• Monitor industry trends and regulatory changes to ensure compliance and update risk management practices accordingly.
• Undertake independent management testing engagements/thematic reviews as required, in assessing the effectiveness of key controls across various processes; ensuring adherence with laid down processes & regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with key business operations value streams of New Business, underwriting, claims, and services teams to integrate risk management principles into daily operations.
• Design and maintain metrics to quantify potential losses and evaluate risk mitigation efforts.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on risk management best practices.
• Assist in the development of business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
• Participate in audits and regulatory examinations related to risk management.
• Prepare a variety of Delivery Reports / Committee (monthly/quarterly updates) for various levels of management.
• Track/Monitor Risk Issues and Management Action plans.
• Assist with special projects as required.

People Management:

• Set up a new team and inspire and motivate team members.
• Display integrity and composure while dealing with multiple senior stakeholders & functional leaders.
• Solve problems and analyze issues & build insightful storytelling for driving improvements.
• Drive results through seamless & timely service delivery.
• Communicate powerfully and prolifically.
• Build relationships & diverse, equitable and inclusive teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a relevant field with 10-15 years of experience in risk management, preferably in the insurance industry.
• A recognized professional accounting designation (e.g. CPA/CA, CIA etc.) is preferred.
• Familiarity with risk management frameworks and methodologies. Professional certifications such as ARM (Associate in Risk Management) or CRMP (Certified Risk Management Professional) will be valued.
• Experience with risk management software and tools (e.g. Archer).
• Understanding of insurance operations processes & value streams.
• Proficiency in data analysis and assessment of statistical reports.
• Knowledge of insurance operations, products, and regulatory environment.
• Ability to translate legislation and regulations into business impacts, compliance elements and regulatory risks.
• Ability to operate in a deadline-focused environment.

Competencies (Behavioral):

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated and independent.
• Analytical thinker with strong conceptual and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in managing change in a cross-functional environment and operate effectively under pressure.
• Ability to resolve issues creatively, effect change, and execute in an accelerated manner.
• Excellent planning and organization skills and the ability to deal with complex issues.
• Experience working in client-facing, matrix, project-based assignments.
• Maintain knowledge currency (trends and business/operating models) and an understanding of the digital business paradigm at a business level.

Reporting to the AVP Governance Risk & Compliance (GRC), the Associate Director will be accountable for the daily management and oversight of key operational risk programs within the SLF Asia BG.

Overall success is measured by effective engagement with Business Operations teams and monitoring activities, the quality of the work performed, and the identification and risk-rating of key process and control gaps identified.

Job Category: Compliance

Posting End Date: 30/05/2025