Director Privacy and Data Ethics, Canadian Privacy Office

Toronto, ON
$110,000-180,000 per year
Permanent
Full-time

6 hours ago

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. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.Job Description:The Canadian Privacy Office is seeking a Privacy and Data Ethics Director to lead the privacy oversight and advisory function, reporting to the AVP Compliance, Chief Privacy and Data Ethics Officer for Canada.The Canadian Privacy Office is a privacy advisory function within Canadian Compliance that provides independent oversight and challenge to ensure compliant and responsible use of personal information in accordance with Canadian privacy laws, Sun Life policies, and regulatory expectations. We help strengthen privacy culture and operational readiness, reinforcing trust with clients, employees, and stakeholders while supporting Sun Life's commitment to Client Data Privacy Principles and Responsible Data Use and AI.The Director will act as an expert advisor across Sun Life Canada, providing strategic guidance and oversight on privacy matters and responsible data use and AI. In partnership with Business Unit Compliance Officers (BUCOs), the Director will fulfill a privacy compliance oversight role within the Regulatory Compliance Management (RCM) program and will be involved in managing regulatory changes and compliance issues, control assessments and effectiveness reviews, monitoring and testing. The Director will manage and oversee day-to-day privacy compliance activities including privacy incidents and escalated complaints, Privacy Impact Assessments, ongoing monitoring, reporting, training, advisory activities and overall privacy program development.The successful candidate will have demonstrated leadership experience managing privacy compliance teams in a financial institution, ability to interact with senior leaders and drive organizational change. The incumbent will possess expertise in program and framework development and understanding of emerging privacy risks, including AI governance.Please note this is a hybrid role requiring regular presence at our Toronto One York officeWhat will you do?

Lead and elevate an effective Canadian Privacy Office team to serve as a privacy and AI consulting hub for the Canadian Business Units
Provide expert advisory support and independent effective challenge for complex initiatives involving personal information, including the use of AI/GenAI/Agentic technologies
Provide oversight and strategic direction on privacy components in all pillars of the RCM program, including regulatory changes, regulatory compliance issues, control assessments and effectiveness reviews, monitoring and testing
Develop, report and monitor privacy Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and other program metrics to support ongoing control monitoring and program maturity
Lead the design, build and implementation of digital tools that automate and streamline activities performed by the Canadian Privacy Office and drive operational excellence
Oversee privacy incident management, personal information access requests, privacy complaints, regulatory investigations and interactions, acting as a primary escalation point
Review and challenge PIAs and bias assessments for complex initiatives (e.g. technology platforms, AI solutions), identifying control gaps and providing strategic recommendations
Support the AVP execute their advisory and oversight accountability as a BUCO for the Client Digital Experience Office, including identification of regulatory requirement and key controls, regulatory change management, issue identification, remediation tracking, control assessments, and compliance monitoring activities
Create and present reports and observations to senior business stakeholders, including input to the Senior Compliance Officer and Enterprise Chief Privacy Officer reports
Lead the development of privacy and responsible data use training, guidance documents and employee-facing content, aligned with current regulations, regulatory expectations and industry best practices
Partner with Compliance, Global Privacy, Legal and Risk teams to foster a culture of compliance throughout the organization by promoting ethical behavior, accountability, and adherence to regulatory standards

What you need to succeed?

10+ years of experience working in privacy compliance roles in a complex matrixed financial institution, preferably OSFI regulated, with minimum 5 years in leadership positions managing privacy teams and programs
Excellent communication skills with proven ability to translate complex privacy and AI concepts for senior leaders and diverse business audiences, applying strong business acumen, verbal and written communication skills
Experience with Regulatory Compliance Management frameworks and programs
Demonstrated success navigating complex, multi-matrix organizations in fast-paced environments, managing multiple strategic priorities simultaneously while providing operational oversight
Exercise expert judgement when advising on complex projects with conflicting and ambiguous requirements
Comfortable with data-driven decision making and working in digital transformation environments
Ability to build and maintain relationships with regulators, senior leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders, with track record of influencing change and building consensus across IT, legal, risk and senior leadership levels
Proven ability to lead, develop, and mentor privacy compliance teams with experience managing resources, and strategic planning for privacy tools, frameworks and governance structures
Knowledge of and experience with developing AI Agents, using GenAI tools, and identifying and deploying innovative solutions to drive efficiency and accuracy

Preferred skills:

Extensive knowledge of PIPEDA, provincial privacy legislation and other relevant privacy frameworks
Understanding of relevant OSFI guidelines and regulatory guidance on AI and emerging technologies
Knowledge of AI governance and responsible AI principles
Understanding of data systems, cybersecurity concepts, and privacy-enhancing technologies
University degree
CIPP/C (Certified Information Privacy Professional - Canada) or CIPM (Certified Information Privacy Manager) or willingness to obtain within a year

The Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted. It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors. In addition to Base Pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans, payment under which is discretionary and subject to individual and company performance. Certain sales focused roles have sales incentive plans based on individual or group sales results.Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our Clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process, or those needing job postings in an alternative format, may e-mail a request to .We are proud to be a hybrid organization that offers our employees the choice and flexibility to work from both the office and virtually based on the needs of the business, our Clients and you! Several work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.We may use artificial intelligence to support candidate sourcing, screening, interview scheduling.We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.Salary Range: 110,000/110 000 - 180,000/180 000Job Category: CompliancePosting End Date: 26/04/2026

Sun Life Financial

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