AVP, Corporate Development

Job Description

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Sun Life is seeking an Assistant Vice President to join our Corporate Development team, based in Toronto. Corporate Development is responsible for executing a wide range of transactions, including acquisitions and sales; equity investments; and the establishment of joint ventures and strategic partnerships. The team operates globally and includes members based in North America and Hong Kong, supporting strategic initiatives across Sun Life's international businesses.

Reporting to the Vice President, Corporate Development, the AVP will serve as a senior, hands-on leader. The AVP will help develop and execute short- and long-term growth strategies across Sun Life’s businesses, advise on the strategic fit, valuation, and structuring of semi-organic and inorganic opportunities, and lead teams supporting complex transactions. He or she will also help set transaction priorities, allocate team resources, develop corporate development talent, and maintain and strengthen best practices for M&A and adjacent activities.

What you will do:

• Lead all stages of complex transactions, from strategic assessment through negotiation and execution, collaborating with internal functional partners and business group leaders and interfacing with counterparties and external advisors.
• Identify, research, and analyze potential acquisition targets. Assess strategic fit with the relevant business units, challenge investment assumptions, and provide a clear recommendation, including when not to proceed.
• Develop detailed financial models and valuations of target businesses and direct and review the team’s analysis, incorporating relevant input from internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead transaction due diligence with the deal team, assess transaction risks, and recommend mitigation strategies. Analyze proposed deal structures and recommend ways to optimize the transaction. Lead or support negotiations, and review and provide recommendations on term sheets and legal documentation.
• Coordinate integration or separation planning and provide oversight as required.
• Advise senior executives and directors and prepare Executive Team and Board presentations and discussion materials that synthesize complex financial and qualitative analysis of a transaction or market opportunity.
• Contribute to internal projects and other organic strategic initiatives, including improvements to corporate development processes and capabilities.

Leadership Capabilities:

• Ability to set direction, challenge assumptions, and translate sound judgment into clear recommendations to executives and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated people leadership, including developing talent, delegating work, setting priorities, allocating resources, and overseeing multiple transactions. The successful candidate will remain hands-on and accountable for the quality of the team’s work.
• Inspire and influence: engage and develop the team, influence key stakeholders, work collaboratively, build strong relationships, and continuously improve corporate development processes and capabilities.
• Unquestioned ethical standards, high trust, and uncompromising integrity, with ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and provide objective advice in complex and sensitive situations.

What you need to succeed:

• 10-15 years of relevant experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, or a similar function, including demonstrated ownership of complex transactions; experience leading an in-house corporate development team is considered an asset.
• Undergraduate degree with a focus in finance or commerce; a corporate finance-focused MBA degree, CFA, CPA, or CBV, or a combination is desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of M&A valuation approaches, due diligence best practices, and deal structuring.
• Direct transactional experience within the financial services industry (e.g., insurance or asset management) preferred; other transactional experience will be considered if relevant.
• Strong relationship management skills with internal and external partners, clients, advisors, and other stakeholders.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to work effectively amid changing priorities and multiple simultaneous assignments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience presenting analysis and recommendations to senior executives and directors and leading initiatives to completion.
• Proficiency in using technology and AI tools to strengthen analysis and streamline workflows.
• This role requires presence at our Toronto One York offices at least three days a week.
• Ability to work across different time zones, including outside regular office hours in certain circumstances.

What's in it for you:

• 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.
• In 2024, Sun Life ranked among the top 100 most sustainable global corporations by Corporate Knights for the 15th consecutive year, leading Canadian insurers.
• We are proud to be on the 2024 Best Workplaces in Canada list by Great Place to Work.
• We’re also listed as one of the Best Workplaces for Women and Best Workplaces with Most Trusted Executive Teams.
• Our unique Sabbatical Program gives you the opportunity to take up to 6 weeks off, every five years.
• Care Days available for self-care or care of others (i.e., family or others you may support) and Sick Days to support your well-being.