Western Regional Director, Business Development

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:

The Director of Business Development will report directly to the AVP, Learning & Practice Management, and will work closely with the Director of Sun Life Consulting, Research & Development, as well as the Regional Leaders and Sales Directors on the Insurance (IID), Wealth (SLGI) and SLFD teams.

This role will be responsible for delivering value-added, thought leadership programs for Advisors and their teams in the Western regional market. These programs will provide Advisors and their teams with the strategies, best practices, tools and resources they need to grow and manage their practice and turn prospects and clients into clients for life. The delivery methods will include (but are not limited to) large-scale in-person keynote presentations/workshops, smaller group presentations/workshops, virtual webinars, and one-on-one advisor consultations in partnership with the sales directors.

In partnership with the Director, Research and Development,, this role will also be accountable for idea generation, research and development of new content and thought leadership material for Advisors and their teams. The role will need to develop and foster close working relationships with the Western regional sales and national account teams and partners in both Insurance, SLGI and SLFD channels, and proactively work with the individual territories to plan and schedule presentations and consultations on our comprehensive program shelf.

What will you do?

• Presentation delivery and Advisory team consultations (75%)

  • Proactively engage the Sales teams to schedule presentations and consultations in their individual territories across the western region, according to pre-established targets

  • Deliver Sun Life Consulting presentations, and facilitate workshops for Third Party and SLFD advisors across all industry channels (IIROC, MGA, MFDA)

  • Train and onboard the western regional Sales teams on new and existing programs, and participate in regular regional team meetings to represent the MBD SLC team

  • Conduct 1:1 consultations with advisors on topics spanning from business management, client management, marketing, branding, succession, and technology.

• Content development (12%)

  • Continuously identify and bring forward opportunities to create additional value, generate new ideas and creative solutions that will help Advisors grow and manage their practice

  • Conduct advisor and competitive research into industry best practices and market opportunities and provide insight and recommendations to address them

  • Partner with key internal and external stakeholders to develop thought leadership content and programs (primarily presentations and supporting collateral)

  • Support the maintenance of the SLC program shelf and update programs as required

• Relationship management (8%)

  • Develop strong and trusted relationships with the Regional managers (Insurance/SLGI/SLFD), National/Key Accounts teams, Sales teams, and various partners

  • Support (and contribute to) the execution of communication and activation plans to ensure the wholesaling team is adequately prepared to leverage new and existing programs

  • Partner with the SLC R&D team and participate/contribute to their regular team meetings

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• Project management, Administration, Reporting (5%)

  • Track and report program successes and key results on a monthly basis using the established team protocols

  • Proactively communicate and share upcoming commitments/events with SLC team and western regional teams

  • Participate in key leadership meetings as required

What do you need to succeed?

• Proven oral communication, presentation and facilitation skills

• Ability to communicate - deliver presentations, read and write in English (French and Mandarin are assets)

• Ability to conduct consultations and deliver recommendations that solve problems for advisors and contribute to the development of their businesses

• Ideally 10+ years of relevant industry experience with an in-depth understanding of the financial services marketplace with a particular focus on advisory practices

• Knowledge of both insurance and wealth products is an asset

• Self-starter, ability to work independently and proactively manage time in order to maximize productivity and in-field work

• Relationship building with sales teams and advisors

• Understand the important role that thought leadership content and relationship building plays in the sales process

• Ability to work in a matrix or shared services organizational model

• Post-secondary education in business, marketing, or education is an asset

• Coaching Certificate or training is an asset

• Adult education / presentation / facilitation training is an asset

• This role requires extensive inter-provincial travel, and regular travel to Toronto/Waterloo for team meetings

• A valid drivers license is required

What's in it for you?

• Working together, sharing common values, and encouraging growth & achievement

• Flexible Benefits from the day you join to meet the needs of you and your family.

• We’re proud to be recognized as a company with a 2023 Most Trusted Executive team by Great Place to Work® Canada

• Join one of our many Inclusion Networks. These voluntary, employee-led groups are dedicated to creating connection, fostering inclusivity, and building community.

• Charitable giving through our You Give, We Give program lets you give back to your community – and in many cases, we’ll match your contributions.

#LI-Hybrid

The Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted. It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors. In addition to Base Pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans, payment under which is discretionary and subject to individual and company performance. Certain sales focused roles have sales incentive plans based on individual or group sales results.

Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process or those needing job postings in an alternative format may e-mail a request to thebrightside@sunlife.com.

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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