Manager, Creative Operations (Contract)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Manager, Creative Operations (Contract)

🔹 Company: Sun Life

🔹 Location: Waterloo, Ontario

🔹 Job Type: Full-time (Contract)

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: May 7, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Managing studio operations and optimizing workflows for Sun Life Canada’s creative team
• Prioritizing projects, negotiating timelines, and allocating resources
• Collaborating with marketing teams, creative leadership, and stakeholders
• Ensuring projects are executed seamlessly from start to finish
• Improving efficiencies, removing bottlenecks, and managing capacity across the team

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, strong communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Manage Studio Operations: Oversee day-to-day operations, capacity, and delegation of the Creative Studio using project management and collaboration tools

✅ Optimize Workflows: Identify and eliminate operational inefficiencies and bottlenecks by creating, optimizing, and managing workflows for all creative initiatives

✅ Project Prioritization: Prioritize projects and negotiate timelines with marketing teams and senior leaders

✅ Resource Allocation: Triage creative intake, assign the right creative resources, and ensure project success

✅ Brief Monitoring: Review and filter all creative briefs, ensuring they are clear and thorough before assigning them to the appropriate designer

✅ Workback Schedules: Collaborate with the creative team to build clear workback schedules for each project

✅ Proofing and Reviewing: Proof and review designs, checking documents and specs before sharing them with marketing team stakeholders

✅ Asset Management: Centralize and organize creative assets in a version-controlled repository, accessible to marketing teams

✅ Coordination: Coordinate with creative leadership, partners, and stakeholders to streamline communication and translate concepts into actionable plans

✅ Resource Management: Manage creative studio resources, budgets, and timelines to keep projects on track

✅ Data Collection: Collect data (time spent, overhead cost, creative performance, etc.) to contribute to reporting on KPIs, ROI, SLAs, and team resourcing needs

✅ Freelancer Liaison: Be the liaison with freelancers and manage associated administrative tasks (SOW, invoicing, payment)

✅ Tool Provision: Ensure the creative team has access to necessary tools, licenses, software, and equipment

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of multitasking, requiring the ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Marketing, Communications, or Business) or equivalent experience

Experience: 5+ years of proven experience in a similar role (Creative Studio Manager, Project Manager, Production Manager, etc.) within a creative agency or in-house creative team environment

Required Skills:

• Fluent in modern workflow/project management software (Wrike, Teams, SharePoint, etc.)
• Strong organization skills with a methodical approach and meticulous attention to detail
• Proven track record in creative project management and understanding of design specifications
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and the ability to thrive under pressure
• Confident stakeholder liaison with the capacity to make decisions and escalate problems or project blockers
• Empathy and emotional intelligence

Preferred Skills:

• Creative ideation and development experience
• Industry knowledge of brand, marketing, and creative design life cycle terminology

ASSUMPTION: While creative ideation and development experience is a bonus, it is not required for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD 78,000 - 128,000 per year

Benefits:

• Pension, stock, and savings programs
• Wellness programs supporting mental, physical, and financial health
• Flexible work arrangements

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible work arrangements

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is for the primary location and may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Sun Life is a leading financial services organization dedicated to helping people achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. They provide a wide range of insurance and investment products and services in key markets around the world.

Company Size: Sun Life has over 34,000 employees and 112,900 advisors worldwide, making it a large organization with numerous opportunities for growth and development.

Founded: Sun Life was founded in 1865 and has since grown into a global financial services organization with a strong commitment to community involvement and sustainability.

Company Description:

• Sun Life is committed to helping clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives
• The company offers a wide range of insurance and investment products and services
• Sun Life has a strong focus on community involvement and sustainability

Company Specialties:

• Life insurance
• Health insurance
• Investment products
• Retirement planning
• Employee benefits

Company Website: www.sunlife.com

ASSUMPTION: Sun Life's extensive global presence and diverse product offerings provide ample opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the mid-level management tier, reporting directly to the Creative Director and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Creative Studio.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Operations Manager will report directly to the Creative Director and work closely with marketing teams, creative leadership, and stakeholders.

Work Arrangement: This is a one-year contract role with flexible work arrangements, allowing for a hybrid work environment.

Growth Opportunities:

• Upon successful completion of the contract, there may be opportunities for full-time employment within the organization
• Growth opportunities within the creative team or other departments may become available
• Expanding industry knowledge and skills through working on diverse projects and collaborating with various teams

ASSUMPTION: While this role is a one-year contract, there are opportunities for growth and development within the organization for the right candidate.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Sun Life's Waterloo office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and productivity.

Office Location(s): Sun Life Waterloo King, Waterloo, Ontario

Geographic Context:

• Waterloo is a vibrant, tech-focused city located in the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle
• The city offers a high quality of life, with numerous amenities, cultural attractions, and outdoor recreation opportunities
• Waterloo is conveniently located near major transportation routes and is approximately an hour's drive from Toronto

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible work arrangements, allowing for a hybrid work environment

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a better work-life balance and the opportunity to work from home when needed.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR department
• In-person or video interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Background check and reference verification
• Job offer and onboarding

Key Assessment Areas:

• Problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically
• Project management skills and experience
• Communication and collaboration skills
• Adaptability and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the role and Sun Life's mission and values in your application materials
• Prepare examples of your project management experience and how you've overcome challenges in previous roles
• Research Sun Life's company culture and be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs

ATS Keywords: Project management, creative operations, workflow optimization, resource allocation, stakeholder liaison, problem-solving, data collection, asset management, collaboration, time management, attention to detail, corporate navigation, empathy

ASSUMPTION: Sun Life uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to screen and rank job applications, so including relevant keywords in your application materials can improve your chances of being selected for an interview.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Wrike (project management software)
• Microsoft Teams (collaboration platform)
• SharePoint (document management system)
• Adobe Creative Suite (design software)

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in modern workflow/project management software is essential for this role, as it is used to manage the day-to-day operations of the Creative Studio.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Client-centric
• Collaborative
• Inclusive
• Responsible
• Performance-driven

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and focused on continuous improvement
• Adaptable and open to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you demonstrate Sun Life's commitment to being client-centric in your daily work?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to collaborate with multiple stakeholders to complete a project successfully?
• How do you approach continuous improvement and driving results in your current role?

ASSUMPTION: Sun Life places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and values-driven behavior, so it's essential to demonstrate how your personal values align with the company's core values.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously can be stressful and demanding
• Navigating a matrixed environment with several stakeholders may require strong communication and diplomatic skills
• Working with freelancers and managing associated administrative tasks can be time-consuming and require careful attention to detail
• Ensuring projects are executed seamlessly from start to finish may require long hours and weekend work during peak periods

ASSUMPTION: While this role presents several challenges, it also offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the creative team's efficiency and success.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on creative operations and studio management within the financial services industry
• Compared to similar roles in other industries, this position may require a higher level of adaptability and the ability to work with diverse teams
• Career progression in this role may lead to opportunities in creative leadership, project management, or related fields within the organization

ASSUMPTION: While this role is unique in its focus on creative operations, it shares many similarities with project management and studio management positions in other industries.

📝 Sample Projects

• Managing the creative development and design of Sun Life's annual report
• Collaborating with marketing teams to create and execute campaigns for new product launches
• Optimizing workflows for the creative team to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and the importance of strong project management skills in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Creative Studio?
• How does this role fit into the overall organizational structure and contribute to Sun Life's mission and values?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the Creative Studio, and how can this role help address them?
• How does Sun Life support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in this role?
• What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will my success be measured?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and provides valuable insights into the company and the team.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare examples of your project management experience and how you've overcome challenges in previous roles
• Research Sun Life's company culture and be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.