Demo

Director, Human Resources Business Partner

Sun Life
Portland, ME Full Time
POSTED ON 2/3/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/3/2025

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:

At Sun Life, we look for optimistic people who want to make life brighter for our Clients. We understand the value of diverse cultures, perspectives, and identities, and want you to bring your full and authentic self to work. Every day, you’ll be empowered and challenged by working with dynamic colleagues to find new and innovative ways to make Sun Life the best benefits company in America.

The opportunity:

We are searching for a Director, Human Resources Business Partner that is passionate about shaping the employee experience, helping business leaders reach their goals and enabling employees to grow and thrive.

The Director, HR Business Partner is an essential part of the business unit’s leadership team partnering with business leaders to understand the work they do, the challenges they face, and the goals they are working to achieve today and in the future. You will use that knowledge to guide, challenge and coach them to ensure they have the talent capabilities needed to drive and support their business objectives.

How you will contribute:

On any given day, you might:

  • Act as a business leader to drive the talent and culture agenda at the department or group level; partner with business leaders to implement and measure the outputs of the talent strategy
  • Strategize, develop and execute on specific talent priorities and needs of the division
  • Practice an agile mindset; prioritize, re-prioritize and adjust time and effort on strategic advisory work to respond to the ever-changing business needs and focus on work that will provide maximum value to the department and its leaders; adjust HR and talent strategies to respond to ever changing business needs
  • Establish HR and talent initiatives and solutions, consulting and influencing leaders and managers to address employee engagement at a divisional level
  • Proactively stay on top of market and industry talent trends and best practices to evolve talent strategies
  • Identify key talent trends and insights by taking a data-driven approach (e.g., synthesizing HR data and analytics against external best practices) to develop custom strategies and tactics that drive the right business outcomes
  • Take a data-driven approach to uncover talent and culture insights to develop custom strategies and tactics that drive the right business outcomes
  • Use effective storytelling to consult with leaders on performance and outcomes and to ensure programs are meeting expected outcomes for the business and conveying an intended story
  • Serve as a coach and trusted advisor, providing coaching and career development to the divisions and its leaders and influence them to achieve tangible business outcomes
  • Maximize one’s “seat at the table” by being an active strategic partner with leadership at leadership team meetings and one-on-ones
  • Partner with U.S. Centers of Excellence (COEs) and Global COEs to advance HR initiatives and measure outcomes for the business
  • Be an active advocate of change through fostering proper change management practices
  • Serve as a champion for Diversity and Inclusion, partnering with business leaders to implement and monitor the success of key DE&I initiatives
  • Constantly focusing on continuous improvement— both in business and HR matters—to support strategic initiatives and driving business outcomes
  • Work with leaders to plan and execute Business as Usual (BAU)/annual talent activities (e.g., mid-year and year-end performance cycles, compensation reviews)
  • Lead talent reviews and succession planning efforts with senior leadership
  • Coach leaders and as needed, serve as the first point of contact on performance, compensation and other escalated employee issues in collaboration with the U.S. COE and/or HR Services
  • Support the execution of HR and talent programs in the business in collaboration with U.S. COEs and/or Global COEs
  • Consult and influence leaders on critical BAU matters and solutions that lead to tangible business outcomes
  • Participate in high-impact recruitment efforts for the business, such as leadership interview panels, and executive assessment debriefs in collaboration with U.S. COEs and Global COEs
  • Mentor others within HR including the Associate HRBPs and HR Coordinator

What you will bring with you:

  • A minimum of 7 years human resources generalist experience in progressively responsible roles supporting a diversity of functional groups preferred
  • Broad understanding of all HR disciplines including organizational development, employee relations, talent acquisition, learning & development, and compensation
  • Experience in building, linking and implementing programs and processes to business strategy
  • A solution-minded approach, with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • Demonstrated ability to execute quickly, effectively and consistently
  • Exercises discretion in handling confidential information, navigates sensitive situations with professionalism, diplomacy and tact
  • Proven ability to effectively interact with all organizational levels and build strong and trusted relationships
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Excellent consulting, coaching and conflict management skills
  • Strong impact and influence skills
  • Ability to work within a virtual team environment
  • Confidence interacting with and experience working as a trusted advisor to senior management
  • Strong business acumen with a keen aptitude to quickly assimilate new information
  • Ability to function independently, with minimal supervision, and thrive within a fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous environment
  • Excellent analytical skills and the ability to quickly interpret data, identify trends, and recommend multiple solutions
  • Ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities with grace and efficiency
  • Proficient user of MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and HRIS systems

Do you see yourself in this role even if you haven’t checked all the boxes above? We welcome all talented candidates and are committed to a culture that represents diversity in all forms. If you think you might thrive in this setting, we would love to hear from you.


Not ready to apply yet but want to stay in touch? Join our talent community to stay connected until the time is right for you!

Life is brighter when you work at Sun Life

  • Excellent benefits and wellness programs to support the three pillars of your well-being – mental, physical and financial – including generous vacation and sick time, market-leading paid family, parental and adoption leave, a partially-paid sabbatical program, medical plans, company paid life and AD&D insurance as well as disability programs and more
  • Retirement and Stock Purchase programs to help build and enhance your future financial security including a 401(k) plan with an employer-paid match as well as an employer-funded retirement account
  • A flexible work environment with a friendly, caring, collaborative and inclusive culture
  • Great Place to Work® Certified in Canada and the U.S.
  • Named as a “Top 10” employer by the Boston Globe's “Top Places to Work” two years running


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.


Salary Range: $145,000 - $217,500

At our company, we are committed to pay transparency and equity. The salary range for this role is competitive nationwide, and we strive to ensure that compensation is fair and equitable. Your actual base salary will be determined based on your unique skills, qualifications, experience, education, and geographic location. 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.

We consider various factors in determining actual pay including your skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition to salary, this position is eligible for incentive awards based on individual and business performance as well as a broad range of competitive benefits.

Sun Life Financial is a leading provider of group insurance benefits in the U.S., helping people protect what they love about their lives. More than just a name, Sun Life symbolizes our brand promise of making life brighter -for our customers, partners, and communities. Join our talented, diverse workforce and launch a rewarding career. Visit us at www.sunlife.com/us to learn more.

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

Our Affirmative Action Program affirms our commitment to make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitation 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.com to request an accommodation.

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

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

Job Category:

Human Resources

Posting End Date:

14/02/2025

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.

Salary : $145,000 - $217,500

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