VP, Global Investments Tax

Job Description

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Role Title: VP, Global Investments Tax

Reports to: SVP, Tax, with dotted line accountability to the CFO Investments

Role Summary:

In this newly created role, the VP, Global Investments Tax, has oversight of all Investment related tax matters, and is accountable for tax matters, including compliance and financial reporting. He/she will determine the operating model for tax support for the Investment Business Group (BG) including what should be done centrally versus in the business as well was determining support to be provided by internal versus external advisors.

The role is responsible for managing Sun Life’s global investment related tax planning and advisory agenda delivering tax support to investment related M&A activities or structuring of funds.

They will act as a key liaison between Corporate Tax, Sun Life's Investment CFO and executive team, business units and corporate/ regional functions on Investment BG related tax matters. They will also work closely with the Global Tax Advisory and Global Tax Reporting teams (within the tax group) along with Investment BG finance and accounting teams in managing that mandate.

Once the support model is determined, they will lead and develop a team of tax specialists to carry out the mandate.

Specific Accountabilities:

• The role has accountability for all tax matters (advisory, financial reporting, and risk management) arising in Canada, including:

• Managing and developing teams of tax professionals delivering tax services for Investments

• Provides strategic direction and oversees the design and implementation of tax planning strategies for the Investment business

• Manages the overall tax efficiency of Sun Life’s Investment operations and corporate structure

• Evaluates the Canadian, US and other foreign tax implications of investment proposals

• Monitors tax developments and communicates their impact to relevant stakeholders; makes recommendations where required

• Provides tax support to Sun Life’s Corporate Development group on Investment related M&A activities

• Provides tax support, through tax counterparts, to Sun Life’s businesses and Investments

• Act as an intermediary as needed across the following stakeholders – Affiliate and Corporate Tax, External advisor and Corporate Tax, External Advisor and Affiliates and to various finance teams within SLC – providing needed data, explanations and reporting as well as capturing information from various parties

• Owns the legal entity and consolidated tax provisions; Accountable to provide explanations as required for unexpected results or events

• Owns the tax settlements and partners with SLC and Corporate Treasury on the timing and amount of cash needs

• Oversees the preparation of quarterly legal entity level tax analysis and commentary to support approval of tax filings

• Influence country tax policies and interact with tax communities and associations

Decision Making:

• Employee and team building

• Giving consideration to tax risk, decisions on courses of action relating to Investment tax matters, including recommending courses of action to the SVP Tax, tax counterparts, and other stakeholders.

• Decisions on policies and procedures for Investment tax operations

• Decisions on accounting treatment of significant Investment tax items

Key Relationships:

• Other members of the tax group

• Staff in global functional areas within Sun Life

• Corporate and Investment finance teams and business groups

• External tax advisors

• Representatives of relevant tax authorities

• Industry and tax associations

Requirements:

• Knowledge of Canadian insurance taxation and experience in international taxation

• An understanding of the insurance business

• Strong people management skills, including ability to develop partnerships with representatives of Investment business units and Corporate Office to ensure successful completion of key tasks, initiatives and projects

• Process orientated with the ability to design and deploy sustainable processes

• Excellent communication skills, including ability to communicate technical information clearly

• Business acumen

• Ability to work in a fast paced, deadline driven environment

• Ability to travel