AVP, Technology Lead, GRS Digital

Sun Life

Sun Life AVP leading Group Retirement Services technology strategy, modernization, and digital platforms. Overseeing engineering teams, vendors, budgets, reliability, and member-facing retirement experiences.

Posted 8/4/2026contractToronto • 🇨🇦 CanadaSenior💰 CA$145,000 - CA$235,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in technology leadership, platform modernization, and managing complex digital systems within regulated financial services. Proven ability to optimize team structures, manage budgets, and drive successful outcomes in ambiguous environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Technology LeadershipPlatform ModernizationBudget ManagementStakeholder ManagementBilingual French and English

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Digital Platform DevelopmentData IntegrationCore Systems ManagementOperational ReliabilityCI/CD ApproachesAgile MethodologiesTechnical Debt ManagementIncident ManagementChange ManagementDisaster Recovery

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationLeadership SkillsDecisive LeadershipPragmatic Problem SolvingTeam Development

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Computer ScienceBachelor's Degree in Engineering

Industry Keywords

Wealth ManagementRetirement ProductsInvestment ProductsRegulated Financial ServicesVendor Management

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Shape and align GRS technology strategy across the business unit and enterprise
Define platform roadmaps, OKRs, modernization priorities, and delivery sequencing
Provide technology leadership for digital experiences, core systems, data capabilities, integrations, and platform modernization
Oversee end-to-end delivery of GRS digital and technology platforms across internal teams, vendors, system integrators, and enterprise partners
Improve delivery velocity, quality, reliability, predictability, and productivity across agile squads
Serve as the primary escalation point for platform, delivery, vendor, operational, and dependency-related issues
Lead, mentor, and develop GRS technology leaders and teams
Optimize team structures, platform ownership, accountabilities, succession planning, and capability development
Manage platform budgets, financials, forecasting, investment prioritization, vendors, and system integrators
Ensure platform stability, resiliency, security, technology currency, lifecycle management, incident management, change management, disaster recovery, and business continuity
Manage technical debt, aging platforms, operational risk, and service reliability
Partner with Product, Client Experience, Business Operations, Architecture, Operations, and Enterprise Technology leaders
Represent GRS technology in executive forums and drive shared accountability for outcomes

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
10+ years of experience in senior technology leadership roles
Demonstrated success delivering complex, mission-critical systems
Experience modernizing and enabling wealth, retirement, investment, sponsor/advisor, or member-facing digital platforms
Strong understanding of wealth, retirement, investment products, and regulated financial services environments
Experience leading technology teams through modernization, transformation, and operating model change
Experience managing sizable budgets, vendor portfolios, and technology cost optimization
Strong technical credibility across modern digital platforms, integrations, data, mainframe/core systems, and operational reliability
Excellent communication, stakeholder management, executive presence, and leadership skills
Decisive, pragmatic, outcomes-driven leadership in complex and ambiguous environments
Ability to challenge architecture, delivery practices, platform decisions, and CI/CD approaches
Strong commitment to developing people, building resilient teams, and creating an inclusive leadership culture
Bilingual French and English, oral and written, required for Quebec-based applicants

Benefits

Comp & perks

Partial benefits and vacation for the 14-month fixed term role
20 vacation days per year
Flexible choice to work from the office and virtually
Competitive salary based on market scale
Incentive plans for eligible employees, with payments discretionary and subject to individual and company performance
Warm, supportive, and inclusive culture
Time off to focus on important moments
Accommodation support in the application process
Learning and personal growth opportunities
Support for employee well-being and development