Business Data Analyst - Job Opportunity at Sun Life

Toronto, Canada
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 21, 2025
Hybrid
CAD 58,000-97,000 per year

Benefits

Competitive salary structure with performance-based bonus opportunities that align compensation with market benchmarks and individual achievement
Generous 15-day vacation policy complemented by an innovative sabbatical program offering extended time off for personal development and work-life balance
Comprehensive flexible benefits package available from day one, allowing customization to meet diverse family and personal needs
Robust pension and stock participation programs designed to build long-term financial security and employee ownership
Integrated fitness and wellness programs promoting healthy lifestyle choices and work-life integration
Hybrid work arrangement providing flexibility to balance office collaboration with remote productivity

Key Responsibilities

Lead the strategic development of next-generation analytics solutions and transformation processes that will define the future of data-driven decision making in Canadian Operations
Drive innovation in complex data modeling initiatives that form the foundation of self-serve analytics platforms, directly impacting customer experience and operational efficiency
Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams including data engineers, scientists, and business stakeholders throughout complete project lifecycles, ensuring seamless integration of technical solutions with business objectives
Establish and maintain enterprise-level best practices for analysis, reporting, and data governance that will scale across the organization and ensure regulatory compliance
Transform complex datasets into compelling visual narratives using advanced Tableau techniques, enabling executive-level decision making through clear data storytelling
Mentor and develop internal analytics communities, building organizational capability and fostering a data-driven culture across Canadian Operations
Lead cross-functional project teams through solution design, implementation, and optimization phases while managing timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations

Requirements

Education

Minimum undergraduate degree in Business Administration, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering or equivalent

Experience

3-5 years of experience

Required Skills

SQL and other languages used in data manipulation Tableau or other BI development experience in designing dashboards / decision enablement tools data warehousing principles and experience in design and/or development using dimensional modeling principles Developing rich portfolio of design uses cases demonstrating excellent user experience Strong oral and written communication skills with experience in relating complex concepts to non-technical users, including presentation and storytelling with data Visual design expertise with a solid understand of the best practices around dashboard and visual perception End-to-End development experience and ability to create complex calculations including Level of Detail (LOD) expressions, action filters, user filters and implement advanced dashboard practices in Tableau Solid understanding of how to consolidate and transform data to meaningful and actionable information Ability to draw out meaningful business insights by synthesizing information from multiple sources Demonstrated experience in development of analytics applications or data analysis, including insights development and communication to senior leadership
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The insurance and financial services industry is experiencing unprecedented digital transformation, with companies investing heavily in data analytics capabilities to improve risk assessment, customer experience, and operational efficiency. This shift is creating strong demand for business data analysts who can bridge technical capabilities with business acumen. Self-service analytics platforms are becoming critical competitive differentiators in the insurance sector, as organizations seek to democratize data access while maintaining governance and security standards. This trend is driving demand for analysts who can design intuitive, scalable solutions. Regulatory requirements in Canadian financial services are increasingly data-driven, requiring sophisticated analytics capabilities for compliance reporting, risk management, and customer protection measures, creating sustained demand for skilled data professionals. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into traditional insurance operations is accelerating, requiring data analysts who can prepare foundational data infrastructure and translate AI insights into business value.

Salary Evaluation

The CAD 58,000-97,000 range is competitive for the Toronto market and reflects the mid-level positioning of this role. Given Sun Life's market position and the comprehensive benefits package, total compensation likely exceeds CAD 100,000 when including bonuses, stock options, and benefits. This range is appropriate for 3-5 years experience in the financial services sector.

Role Significance

The role likely operates within a team of 8-12 analytics professionals, including data engineers, data scientists, and other business analysts. The incumbent will serve as a senior team member with mentoring responsibilities and cross-functional collaboration requirements.
This is a mid-level individual contributor role with significant strategic impact and mentoring responsibilities. The position sits at the intersection of technical execution and business strategy, with direct influence on organizational analytics capabilities and decision-making processes.

Key Projects

Development of enterprise-wide self-service analytics platforms that enable business users to access and analyze data independently Implementation of advanced data visualization solutions for executive dashboards and regulatory reporting Design and optimization of data warehousing solutions to support real-time analytics and decision-making Creation of automated reporting systems for disability services operations and performance monitoring

Success Factors

Mastery of advanced Tableau functionality, including complex calculations, performance optimization, and enterprise deployment strategies that can scale across large user bases Strong business acumen combined with technical expertise, enabling effective translation between complex technical concepts and business value propositions for diverse stakeholder groups Project leadership capabilities with experience managing cross-functional initiatives from conception through implementation, including stakeholder management and change management skills Deep understanding of data governance principles and regulatory requirements in financial services, ensuring solutions meet compliance standards while enabling business innovation

Market Demand

High demand exists for business data analysts in Canada's financial services sector, particularly those with Tableau expertise and insurance industry knowledge. The specific combination of technical skills, business acumen, and visualization capabilities required for this role is in short supply relative to market needs.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced Tableau proficiency is absolutely essential as it serves as the primary platform for analytics delivery and self-service solution development. The ability to create complex calculations, optimize performance, and design intuitive user experiences directly impacts project success and user adoption. SQL expertise and data manipulation skills form the foundation of all analytics work, enabling the incumbent to access, clean, and transform data from multiple sources into actionable insights. These skills are critical for maintaining data quality and ensuring accurate analysis. Business communication and storytelling abilities are crucial for translating complex technical findings into compelling narratives that drive executive decision-making and stakeholder buy-in for analytics initiatives.

Beneficial Skills

Project management certification (PMP) or Agile methodology experience would enhance the incumbent's ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage complex analytics projects with multiple stakeholders and dependencies Insurance industry knowledge provides valuable context for understanding business requirements, regulatory constraints, and customer needs, accelerating time-to-value for analytics solutions Python or R programming skills would expand analytical capabilities and enable more sophisticated data analysis, particularly as Sun Life continues to integrate advanced analytics and machine learning into operations

Unique Aspects

The role offers direct exposure to disability services analytics, a specialized and socially impactful area of insurance that requires both technical expertise and sensitivity to client needs
Sun Life's commitment to building internal analytics communities provides exceptional opportunities for knowledge sharing, professional development, and cross-functional collaboration
The position combines traditional business intelligence with cutting-edge self-service analytics development, offering exposure to both established and emerging analytics methodologies
Government security clearance requirement indicates involvement in sensitive projects with potential for high-profile, mission-critical work

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs within 2-4 years for high-performing individuals, with advancement opportunities accelerated by Sun Life's growing investment in analytics capabilities and digital transformation initiatives.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Business Data Analyst or Lead Analytics roles within 2-3 years, focusing on strategic initiatives and team leadership responsibilities Analytics Manager positions overseeing teams of data professionals and driving organizational analytics strategy Data Science roles leveraging strong analytical foundation to develop predictive models and advanced analytics solutions Business Intelligence Architect positions designing enterprise-wide data and analytics infrastructure

Company Overview

Sun Life

Sun Life Financial is one of Canada's largest insurance and financial services companies, serving over 50 million clients globally with a strong presence in Canada, the United States, and Asia. The company has been operating for over 150 years and manages significant assets while providing life insurance, health insurance, and investment services.

Sun Life ranks among the top three life insurance companies in Canada and maintains a strong international presence, particularly in Asia-Pacific markets. The company is recognized for its digital innovation initiatives and commitment to sustainable business practices.
This Toronto-based role positions the incumbent at the heart of Sun Life's Canadian operations, with significant exposure to enterprise-wide initiatives and potential for interaction with global teams. Toronto serves as a major financial hub, providing excellent networking and career development opportunities.
Sun Life promotes an inclusive, collaborative culture with strong emphasis on professional development and work-life balance. The company's hybrid work model and comprehensive benefits package reflect its commitment to employee wellbeing and modern workplace practices.
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