VP, Government Relations, Sun Life U.S.

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 50 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. We have more than 6,400 employees and associates in our partner dental practices and operate nationwide.

Visit our website to discover how Sun Life is making life brighter for our customers, partners and communities.

Vice President, Government Relations, Sun Life U.S.

The Vice President, Government Relations, Sun Life U.S. manages public policy and government affairs for Sun Life's U.S. Business Group. This is a highly visible role, accountable for creating and carrying out strategies to support Sun Life's interests with government officials and regulatory bodies. Ideally located in Wellesley Hills, MA this person will run daily government affairs operations and advise the President and U.S. Executive Team on important state and federal political matters. Reporting to the U.S. General Counsel, they will oversee a team and several external lobbying firms, build relationships with key policymakers, and represent the company to officials at all levels, including governors, legislators, and Congress.

Key Relationships

Reports to: Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Sun Life U.S. and matrixed to the SVP & Head, Global Government Affairs and Public Policy

Direct Reports: 5

Other Key Relationships: U.S. Executive Leadership Team, External Parties and Stakeholders

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with government officials at all levels to support Sun Life's reputation and strategy.
• Communicate complex ideas clearly to government and business leaders.
• Advise the President and Senior Leadership Team on political trends and policy proposals.
• Develop and implement strategies for federal and state government relations.
• Manage both proactive and reactive government relations efforts across all states.
• Connect company leadership with key decision-makers.
• Collaborate with business development, sales, and client services to work effectively with government customers.
• Coordinate with sales, strategy, communications, and external partners on state and federal initiatives.
• Oversee lobbyists and political consultants to ensure effective representation.
• Manage the company's political action committees (PAC) and increase contributions, ensuring compliance with all rules.
• Set and communicate clear measures of success for strategic initiatives.
• Oversee the annual budget and ensure responsible resource management.
• Work with trade associations and advocacy groups to advance the company's interests.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an expert-level government affairs professional, with extensive experience in public policy and federal and state government relations, especially in the healthcare industry. They should be a strategic thinker and effective implementer, able to work in a fast-paced, regulated environment. Collaboration with senior executives and other teams is essential. The candidate should be skilled at identifying and addressing public policy issues and risks, communicating complex ideas, and securing buy-in from others.

They must understand the impact of government affairs on a company operating in many jurisdictions and be able to build bipartisan relationships. Effective communication skills are required, both as a public representative and as a supportive team member. The candidate should quickly build internal relationships and work well with executives and staff at all levels. Leadership and management skills are important, including the ability to match talent to company needs and lead motivated teams. High standards of ethics and compliance are required.

Government Relations & Public Policy Expertise

• Understands business strategy and connects priorities to public policy to advance company interests.
• Has a record of achieving legislative, regulatory, and policy goals for similar organizations.
• Understands the complexities of operating in multiple jurisdictions.
• Communicates policy and regulatory issues clearly.
• Quickly grasps and addresses issues facing Sun Life.

Setting Strategy

• Develops and executes strategic plans for government relations.
• Creates and implements creative policy and relationship strategies.
• Thinks independently and presents creative ideas.
• Understands trends affecting Sun Life's business.
• Makes recommendations and decisions based on facts and company culture.
• Balances strategic priorities with operational challenges.

Building Relationships and Using Influence

• Experience with large, matrixed organizations and the ability to work closely and collaboratively with internal stakeholders including business units, legal, compliance, communications and others.
• Builds effective relationships inside and outside the company.
• Leverages internal relationships to understand business needs.
• Is viewed as trustworthy and credible by senior executives.
• Represents the company well to external audiences and builds coalitions.
• Shares information openly and seeks input.
• Skilled at advocacy and persuasion.

Executing for Results

• Sets ambitious, measurable goals and takes responsibility for results.
• Manages competing priorities in a fast-changing environment.
• Makes decisions and accepts accountability.
• Handles a rigorous schedule and assesses risk.
• Drives positive change and operates with urgency.
• Uses resources effectively.
• Communicates and solves problems in ambiguous situations.

Leading Teams

• Manages and motivates teams to achieve public policy and government relations goals.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a high performing team working independently and performing complex assignments, developing, coordinating and executing strategies, including managing remote staff.
• Leads with inspiration and develops talent.
• Recruits, develops, and retains government relations talent.

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We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees feel they belong, are supported and empowered to thrive. We are dedicated to building teams with varied experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and ideas that benefit our colleagues, clients, and the communities where we operate. We encourage applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Life is brighter when you work at Sun Life

At Sun Life, we prioritize your well-being with comprehensive benefits, including generous vacation and sick time, market-leading paid family, parental and adoption leave, medical coverage, company paid life and AD&D insurance, disability programs and a partially paid sabbatical program. Plan for your future with our 401(k) employer match, stock purchase options and an employer-funded retirement account. Enjoy a flexible, inclusive and collaborative work environment that supports career growth. We're proud to be recognized in our communities as a top employer. Proudly Great Place to Work Certified in Canada and the U.S., we've also been recognized as a "Top 10" employer by the Boston Globe's "Top Places to Work" for two years in a row. Visit our website to learn more about our benefits and recognition within our communities.

We will make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of otherwise-qualified individuals with disabilities or special disabled veterans, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. Please email thebrightside@sunlife.comto request an accommodation.

For applicants residing in California, please read our employee California Privacy Policy and Notice.

We do not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.

Sun Life will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including applicable fair chance ordinances.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.