Associate Director, Partner Delivery

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 50 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. We have more than 6,400 employees and associates in our partner dental practices and operate nationwide.

Visit our website to discover how Sun Life is making life brighter for our customers, partners and communities.

Sun Life embraces a hybrid work model that balances in-office collaboration with the flexibility of virtual work. Our leaders are expected to foster connection and teamwork by being present in the office 2to 3 days per week.

The opportunity:

The Associate Director of Partner Delivery will own and lead the assessment and execution of partner initiatives, manage client relationships during the project lifecycle, and ensure the successful delivery on complex projects. You will partner with internal team members, including subject matter experts and business area stakeholders, to ensure alignment and successful project outcomes. You will also engage in direct client partner interactions throughout the project lifecycle. The ideal candidate for this role has experience in implementation, project management, or Client facing roles within the Group Insurance industry and enjoys managing multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional quality and meeting deadlines. You will be working on complex projects that influence the business and our partners experience. This role offers an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal part in enhancing our partner delivery processes and contributing to the overall success of our organization's client partnerships.

How you will contribute:

• Own and lead the assessment and execution of initiatives approved through the partner delivery process that evaluates partners service and capability requests; this includes direct client partner interaction, development and maintenance of project management tools, and ensuring successful completion

• Provide leadership and consultative subject matter expertise to partners to ensure successful project delivery

• Influence middle and senior leaders on partner initiatives and be able to present complex situations and anticipate potential questions

• Drive both internal and external stakeholder accountability and alignment across all aspects of partner requests; where necessary lead stakeholder working groups to ensure people, process or technology change and adoption takes place

• Create and deliver plan to ensure deliverables and commitments for partner initiatives are managed appropriately, timely, and executed effectively thereby enhancing partner satisfaction and achieving strategic objectives

• Build and lead strong, effective working relationships with internal partners, including subject matter experts and business area stakeholders, and external partners

• Oversee the RFI process, coordinating responses for new business opportunities, audits, and compliance requirements

• Leverage existing and emerging technology to streamline RFI processes and maintain a high-quality response database

• Proactively identify opportunities and new ideas that create a more efficient and effective operating model that enhances the partner experience and delivery of what we do for our partners

• Key role in identifying broader partner and industry trends and influencing a strategy to address these; creating actionable plans to address emerging partner needs

• Provide support for new partner implementations which would include direct client partner interaction, development and maintenance of project management tools, and ensuring successful onboarding

• Translate partner requests into initiatives that can be implemented which will require critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making skills; ability to plan and strategize

• Manage complex project portfolios, ensuring timely execution and high-quality outcomes

• Document detailed assessment with consideration of capacity, timeline, work effort estimates, etc. that conclude in a recommendation from all parties especially the functional leaders and SME's

• Drive and influence alignment in decision making process and document outcomes

• Own and lead client partner interactions throughout the project lifecycle

• Influence the prioritization of partner delivery initiatives and resources

• Ensure timely resolution of issues and challenges throughout project lifecycles

• Ownership and regular maintenance of RFI database to ensure current, accurate, and complete content

• Create customized RFI responses, as needed, based on the products and services utilized by each specific partner

• Champion process improvements and change initiatives to enhance partner satisfaction

What you will bring with you:

• Ability to work with a diverse group of people

• BA/BS degree preferred or applicable industry specific experience

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in implementation, project management, client-facing roles and/or equivalent experience within the Group Insurance industry

• Ability to lead through influence and manage without authority

• Self-motivation with the ability to handle multiple priorities with minimal supervision

• Proven track record of successfully managing complex projects and driving organizational change

• Deep understanding of the various aspects of Group Insurance industry and organizations

• Knowledge of key operational functions including IT, claims, underwriting, and customer service

• Certification or trained in Project Management, PMBOK, PMP, Lean Six Sigma, Change Management, and/or Agile preferred

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced skills in PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and SharePoint.

• Experience with RFI processes and database management is highly desirable

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively present complex information to diverse audiences

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, team members, and cross-functional partners

• Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational skills

• Continuous improvement mindset with a strong focus on partner-centric solutions

• Demonstrated leadership and flexibility in managing shifting priorities while maintaining high performance in fast-paced environments

• Proactive problem-solver with a track record of identifying and implementing process improvements

Salary:

$108,600 - $162,900

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 thebrightside@sunlife.comto 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.