Director of Finance & Operational Compliance

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do.

At Sun Life, we're driven by our Purpose: helping our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Our values shape how we work: caring, authentic, bold, inspiring, and impactful.

When you join Sun Life, you'll work with passionate colleagues and empowering leaders who support your growth and celebrate your contributions, so you can make a meaningful difference in our Clients' lives.

Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

Director of Finance & Operational Compliance

About the Role:

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Director of Finance & Operational Compliance is accountable for delivering financial and operational compliance expertise for Sun Life Ireland. This role involves all aspects of reporting for the Ireland legal entity, including operational finance, regulatory reporting, corporate governance, tax and treasury management.

The role also steers the strategic development of an R&D incentives program for Sun Life in Ireland and works to establish strategic partnership with universities and government bodies ensuring value delivery, alignment and compliance with relevant government incentives programs.

This position will also partner with Sun Life leaders to explore new business opportunities that may arise from time to time.

Responsibilities:

Finance:

• Oversee all aspects of finance operations, including operating cost management, intercompany transactions, tax reporting, treasury and cashflow management, group reporting and regulatory financial reporting for Sun Life Ireland.
• Provide finance business partnership for all functional areas and business groups located in Ireland to understand, streamline and support their financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting needs.
• Manage the local bank relationship to ensure continued alignment with Corporate Treasury policies.
• Manage relationship with tax and audit partners to ensure compliance with Irish regulatory and tax reporting requirements,
• Lead by example and guide others to develop process and controls that ensure governance and compliance with internal company policy and external regulatory landscape.
• Identify and secure funding opportunities for innovation projects, including government grants, research funding, and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate to evaluate and recommend appropriate engagement models with external partners, including joint ventures, research collaborations, and technology licensing agreements.
• Foster effective working relationships and collaboration with global Sun Life teams, including expense management, corporate tax and corporate treasury
• Encourage continuous learning, and professional development by coaching and mentoring direct reports.

Compliance

• Oversee workings of the Data Protection Office
• Oversee operations for all compliance activities for Sun Life Ireland, including compliance with all relevant legislation in Ireland and Europe.
• Provide support to Statutory Directors for biannual board meetings and oversee a compliance framework that ensures adherence to corporate governance standards.
• Manage relationship with external counsel and company secretary, ensuring engagements are aligned with business needs.
• Foster relationships with internal legal, data protection, compliance and privacy teams to align Ireland compliance activities with global standards and best practices.
• Provide compliance business partner support for ad hoc projects as required, particularly in the areas of intellectual property management and commercialization.
• Encourage continuous learning, and professional development by coaching and mentoring direct report.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in business or related field (e.g. finance, accounting, economics) is required.
• Relevant accounting qualification strongly preferred e.g. ACA, CPA, ACCA, CIMA
• Other finance or compliance qualification such as tax, treasury, data protection beneficial but not required.

Experience:

• 7+ years’ experience in the financial sector with at least 5+ years in a treasury management role.
• Proven experience in finance management, with a strong understanding of finance operations financial reporting, treasury and tax.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing financial models and budgets.
• SAP Experience desired but not essential
• Experience leading compliance function, with a deep understanding of the Irish regulatory landscape.
• Experience in identifying and securing funding for innovation or research projects.
• Strong understanding of legal and contractual considerations related to R&D partnerships.
• Familiarity with the Irish innovation ecosystem and relevant stakeholders.

• Demonstrated expertise of providing finance partnership on multiple high-profile projects which deliver business value
• Demonstrated experience of adapting processes to meet a rapidly changing regulatory landscape.
• Experience in managing innovation programs or initiatives.
• Knowledge of intellectual property management and commercialization.
• Experience working with government agencies and funding programs.

Preferred skills

 Excellent communication, presentation and negotiating skills

 Demonstrated expertise of Internal controls within the Treasury function; SOX experience preferred.

 Strong understanding of the life insurance / reinsurance industry.

 Experience with expense management systems (e.g. Concur) is required.

 Ability to successfully lead a multi-functional team.

 In this Hybrid role, willingness to work flexible hours from time to time, due to Sun Life offices within other time zones.

 Able to work in a fast-paced environment, manages competing priorities, and adhere to tight deadlines.

 Proven self-starter that excels working independently and within a team.

 Ability to build rapport and maintain relationships with internal and external parties.

 Problem solving mindset and ability to view multiple perspectives in order to negotiate the best outcome.

 Strong attention to detail, with excellent writing skills, and capability to present to a diverse audience.

 Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Salary Range: €98,400 - €147,600

At our company, we are committed to pay transparency and equity. Your actual base salary will be determined based on your unique skills, qualifications, experience, and education. In addition to your base salary, this position is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive award based on your individual performance as well as the overall performance of the business. We are dedicated to creating a work environment where everyone is rewarded for their contributions.

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