Program Director – Global Brand (24 month contract)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Program Director – Global Brand (24 month contract)

🔹 Company: Sun Life

🔹 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada (with occasional remote work)

🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Contract (24 months)

🔹 Category: Project Management - Process

🔹 Date Posted: May 21, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (occasional remote work)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading a high-impact, enterprise-wide brand initiative
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams across multiple markets
• Developing and managing a detailed program roadmap
• Overseeing external vendors and creative agencies
• Acting as a brand steward and strategic advisor

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and experienced Program Director to lead a complex, global brand initiative. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in program management, stakeholder communication, and change management at scale.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead and manage the full lifecycle of the brand program, from planning and scope definition to execution and post-launch optimization

✅ Collaborate with brand, marketing, design, legal, product, and regional teams to ensure consistency and alignment across all touchpoints

✅ Develop and manage a detailed program roadmap with clear milestones, dependencies, and risk mitigation strategies

✅ Oversee external vendors and creative agencies supporting the program

✅ Develop enterprise-wide communications and presentations, including executive updates, global stakeholder briefings, and change management plans

✅ Ensure on-time and on-budget delivery while balancing global scale with local relevance

✅ Define and track KPIs to measure program success and adoption across regions and departments

✅ Act as a brand steward and strategic advisor during a critical transformation moment for the company

✅ Occasional early morning and late evening meetings are required to connect with colleagues in Asia

ASSUMPTION: The responsibilities listed above are based on the original job description. However, the role may evolve based on the company's changing needs and the successful candidate's skills and experiences.

🎯 Required Qualifications

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

Experience: 8-12 years of experience in program management, with proven success leading large-scale branding or marketing initiatives

Required Skills:

• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Ability to influence and manage stakeholders at all levels
• Experience working within matrixed organizations and across geographies
• PMP or similar certification
• Familiarity with project management tools such as Smartsheet or Wrike
• Prior experience managing a corporate brand program
• Experience working in multinational, cross-cultural environments
• Strong understanding of global brand governance, visual identity systems, and multi-channel asset deployment

Preferred Skills:

• Background in enterprise tech, B2B, or global consumer brands
• Bilingualism (French, English, both oral and written) for Quebec only

ASSUMPTION: The required and preferred skills listed above are based on the original job description. However, the company may consider candidates with a strong combination of relevant skills and experiences, even if they do not meet every requirement.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD 105,000 - 180,000 per year

Benefits:

• Supportive working environment, culture of collaboration, high performance teams
• The opportunity to move along a variety of career paths with amazing networking potential
• Inclusive and respectful environment with opportunities for personal growth
• Recognition as one of the 2024 Best Workplaces in Canada by Great Place to Work
• Sustainability-focused organization, ranked among the top 100 most sustainable global corporations by Corporate Knights

Working Hours: Full-time, with occasional early morning and late evening meetings

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the original job description. However, the actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience, skills, and 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 10,001+ employees worldwide, providing a large and diverse work environment.

Founded: Sun Life was founded in 1865 and has since grown into a global organization with a strong reputation in the financial services industry.

Company Description:

• Sun Life is committed to creating a supportive working environment with a culture of collaboration and high performance
• The company offers opportunities for career growth and networking potential
• Sun Life is recognized as a sustainable and responsible organization, focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors

Company Specialties:

• Life and health insurance
• Investment management
• Group benefits
• Retirement services

Company Website: www.sunlife.com

ASSUMPTION: The company context provided above is based on publicly available information. However, the company's culture, values, and priorities may evolve over time.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, requiring a high degree of expertise and strategic thinking.

Reporting Structure: The Program Director will report directly to the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and work closely with various teams across the organization.

Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with occasional remote work required to connect with colleagues in Asia.

Growth Opportunities:

• Upon successful completion of the 24-month contract, there may be opportunities for extension or permanent placement, depending on the company's needs and the candidate's performance
• The diverse and global nature of Sun Life's business offers opportunities for career growth and international assignments

ASSUMPTION: The role analysis provided above is based on the original job description and publicly available information. However, the specific reporting structure and growth opportunities may vary depending on the company's organizational changes and the successful candidate's skills and experiences.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Sun Life's Toronto office is a modern, collaborative workspace with state-of-the-art facilities.

Office Location(s): Sun Life Toronto One York, 150 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5J 1H8, Canada

Geographic Context:

• Toronto is a multicultural city with a vibrant business community, offering a wide range of amenities and attractions
• The city has a humid continental climate, with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters
• Toronto is well-connected by public transportation, making it easy to commute to work

Work Schedule: The standard workweek is Monday to Friday, with occasional early morning and late evening meetings required to connect with colleagues in Asia.

ASSUMPTION: The location and work environment information provided above is based on publicly available information. However, the specific work arrangements and office policies may change over time.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR department
• In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and relevant stakeholders
• Final interview with the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)

Key Assessment Areas:

• Program management skills and experience
• Stakeholder communication and collaboration
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Cultural fit and alignment with Sun Life's values

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant program management experience and achievements in your resume
• Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and your fit with Sun Life's culture
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions focused on your program management skills and experiences

ATS Keywords: Program management, brand initiative, cross-functional teams, roadmap development, stakeholder communication, change management, global brand governance, visual identity systems, multi-channel asset deployment, bilingualism (French, English)

ASSUMPTION: The interview and application insights provided above are based on the original job description and publicly available information. However, the specific interview process and assessment criteria may vary depending on the company's hiring practices and the candidate's qualifications.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Project management tools: Smartsheet, Wrike, or similar
• Collaboration tools: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, or similar
• Design tools: Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, or similar (for working with external vendors and creative agencies)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies listed above are based on the original job description and publicly available information. However, the specific tools and technologies required may vary depending on the company's internal systems and the successful candidate's skills and experiences.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Client-centric: Putting clients at the heart of everything we do
• Collaborative: Working together to achieve common goals
• Accountable: Taking responsibility for our actions and delivering on our commitments

Work Style:

• Sun Life fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment, with a focus on teamwork and open communication
• The company values diversity and encourages employees to bring their unique perspectives to the table
• Sun Life offers flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a proven track record of leading large-scale branding or marketing initiatives?
• Are you comfortable working in a matrixed organization and across geographies?
• Do you thrive in a collaborative and inclusive work environment, and are you able to manage stakeholders at all levels?

ASSUMPTION: The cultural fit considerations provided above are based on the original job description and publicly available information. However, the specific company values and work style preferences may evolve over time.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires managing a complex, global brand initiative with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines
• Occasional early morning and late evening meetings may be required to connect with colleagues in Asia
• The role is a 24-month contract, which may present challenges in terms of long-term career planning
• The role is based in Toronto, which may present challenges for candidates who prefer to work remotely or live in other parts of Canada

ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges listed above are based on the original job description and publicly available information. However, the specific challenges may vary depending on the successful candidate's personal circumstances and the company's internal dynamics.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on leading a high-impact, enterprise-wide brand initiative with a 24-month contract
• Similar roles in the financial services industry may include Brand Manager, Marketing Director, or Program Manager positions, but with different scopes and responsibilities
• Career progression from this role may include opportunities to transition into a permanent, full-time position or take on additional responsibilities within Sun Life's marketing or program management functions

ASSUMPTION: The role comparison provided above is based on the original job description and publicly available information. However, the specific similarities and differences between this role and related positions may vary depending on the company's organizational structure and the successful candidate's skills and experiences.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive brand strategy for Sun Life's global presence
• Managing a cross-functional team to rebrand Sun Life's digital platforms and customer touchpoints
• Leading a global change management initiative to communicate and implement a new brand identity across multiple markets

ASSUMPTION: The sample projects listed above are based on the original job description and publicly available information. However, the specific projects and initiatives may vary depending on the company's priorities and the successful candidate's skills and experiences.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current state of Sun Life's brand and the vision for the future?
• How does this role fit into the overall marketing and communications strategy for Sun Life?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Sun Life support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What is the company's approach to work-life balance and flexible work arrangements?

ASSUMPTION: The key questions to ask during the interview provided above are based on the original job description and publicly available information. However, the specific questions may vary depending on the successful candidate's personal interests and the company's hiring practices.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant program management experience and skills
• Write a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your fit with Sun Life's culture
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions focused on your program management skills and experiences
• Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the status of your application

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