Manager, Communications, Creative and Experience Strategy

Develops and executes integrated communications, creative, and engagement strategies that support recognition programs, conferences, events, and business initiatives.

Owns the end-to-end engagement strategy for signature events, translating business objectives into compelling experiences that drive engagement, understanding, performance, and alignment with business priorities.

Leads the development of event themes, strategic messaging frameworks, storytelling approaches, executive communications, scripts, recognition programming, and multimedia experiences.

Measures and evaluates communications, engagement, and event effectiveness, leveraging insights and data to inform future strategies and continuous improvement.

Collaborates and works with the Consulting team to draft business content for signature events

Provides creative leadership and oversight for all event-related communications, digital experiences, presentations, video productions, on-site branding, and print collateral.

Reviews, approves, and guides all communications, creative concepts, copy, and design to ensure alignment with business objectives, brand standards, accessibility requirements, and audience needs.

Acts as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert on communications, creative development, attendee engagement, and event experience design across SLFD initiatives.

Leads and develops the Communications & Creative team, providing strategic direction, coaching, performance management, and professional development to foster a high-performing, innovative, and collaborative team culture.

Establishes priorities and allocates team resources across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality communications and creative assets while balancing strategic and operational objectives.

Partners closely with Event, Recognition, Distribution, Consulting and senior leadership teams to develop integrated strategies and deliver business outcomes through exceptional event and recognition experiences.

Leads cross-functional planning and execution of high-profile advisor recognition and business events, ensuring exceptional participant experiences and strong alignment to organizational goals.

Drives innovation by identifying, evaluating, and implementing event technology solutions, digital engagement tools, attendee experience platforms, and emerging communication channels to enhance effectiveness and operational efficiency.

Develops and maintains processes documentation and operating procedures that improve team effectiveness, scalability, quality, and consistency.

Leads vendor and agency relationships related to communications, creative development, production, event technology, and digital experiences, including contract management, negotiations, and performance oversight.

Oversees communications and creative budgets within event and recognition portfolios, including planning, forecasting, cost management, vendor approvals, and identification of efficiencies and savings opportunities.

Ensures compliance with legal, risk, privacy, accessibility, and regulatory requirements across all communications, and creative deliverables.

Manages departmental budgets, project expenditures, contracts, and resources in accordance with financial targets and business priorities.

Demonstrated ability to build and influence relationships across business units, vendors, and senior leadership to deliver strategic communications and engagement outcomes.

Experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives with multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and significant organizational visibility.

Proven budget management experience, including forecasting, vendor management, contract oversight, and financial stewardship.

Strong leadership, coaching, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence decisions and drive alignment.

Experience developing integrated communications, and engagement strategies for events, recognition programs, and business initiatives.

Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate business objectives into measurable outcomes.

Proven ability to lead through change, navigate ambiguity, and drive innovation, process improvement, and operational effectiveness.

Demonstrated success managing multiple priorities while delivering high-quality work, maintaining compliance, and achieving business objectives.

Experience developing governance frameworks, processes, documentation, and tools that improve team performance and scalability.

Self-motivated leader with a continuous improvement mindset and a track record of developing high-performing teams and partnerships.

A university degree in journalism, advertising, marketing or communications.

Bilingualism in English and French is an asset.

5 or more years’ experience leading complex marcom strategy creation and execution.

Prior experience with copywriting, design, or production in an agency environment is an asset.

Prior project management experience, with a focus on creative direction.

Why join Sun Life:

Being a member of the Sun Life family, a group of people united by our Purpose: to help Clients and Employees achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives

A friendly, collaborative and inclusive culture

A collaborative and interactive team environment

Being part of our journey in developing the next greatest digital experience

Working together, sharing common values and encouraging growth & achievement

Joining a reputable organization with over 150 years of history

Certified Great Place to Work in Canada in 2026

#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 .

We are proud to be a hybrid organization that offers our employees the choice and flexibility to work from both the office and virtually based on the needs of the business, our Clients and you.

We may use artificial intelligence to support candidate sourcing, screening, interview scheduling.

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