Associate Director, Absence & STD Claims

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.  

Sun Life embraces a hybrid work model that balances in-office collaboration with the flexibility of virtual work. Our leaders are expected to foster connection and teamwork by being present in the office 2 to 3 days per week.

The opportunity:
Associate Directors provide leadership, guidance, and direction to a team of Senior Managers who have direct reports of Claim Examiners adjudicating Absence (FMLA, PFL/PFML, ADA and other leave programs) and Integrated and/or Standalone Short Term Disability claims. The position is responsible for performance from a financial, risk and service perspective for multiple claim teams.
Associate Directors are leaders of our organization and are a pivotal part of the success of our team. This role has direct responsibilities including staffing and oversight, development of claim handling standards, implementation of strategic initiatives, change management, collaboration with internal partners such as field leadership, compliance, implementation, clinical, quality assurance and more. This function is critical in delivering top performance and servicing multiple constituents.

How you will contribute:

• Leads team of 5 – 7 Sr. Absence and STD Sr. Managers, responsible for motivating them to deliver exceptional service for our clients

• Sets claims strategy and direction and improve the overall effectiveness of Sun Life’s absence management and short-term disability product and service offerings.

• Creates and fosters a positive and inclusive work environment, encouraging team members to achieve/exceed performance measures.

• Encourages high standards of performance and inspires others to achieve at this level.

• Proactively identifies opportunities and implements enhancements to the process, claim guidelines and reporting to deliver an improved client experience.

• Communicating with impact and drives positive and effective change management

• Ensures on-going claim management is within service standards and industry’s best practices by leading through Senior Managers who provide day-to-day leadership for the staff.

• Provides oversight into product performance and compliance with internal and regulatory requirements.

• Develops, implements and monitors performance indicators. Provides recognition, training, and corrective actions, as needed.

• Regularly interact with senior leadership, business stakeholders, and clients and influence business solutions and strategy.

• Assists CCST with the implementation of new clients and effective integration with Sun Life programs and vendors.

• Responds to escalated client concerns and collaborates with internal and external constituents to achieve resolution.

• Maintains an awareness of the regulatory environment and manages risk by consulting with legal resources, when appropriate.

What you will bring with you:

• Ability to work with a diverse range of people.

• Strong leadership skills and a minimum of five years’ supervision/management experience including leading the leaders of multiple teams and functions.

• Five years of demonstrated success in fostering a high performing Absence and/or Short-Term Disability team

• Exceptional communication skills, including an ability to articulate our strategic direction to both internal and external stakeholders.

• Highly effective in leading change management in a positive and effective manner.

• Demonstrated success in building trust-based partnerships in solving both strategic and tactical matters.

• Proven success in developing employees and supporting them with their career aspirations.

• Deep understanding and experience with managing absence and disability teams and adherence to state and federal laws that impact disability claim management including ERISA, FMLA, State leaves and Statutory plans.

• A working understanding of the many functions required for successful partnership with internal parties, including underwriting, distribution, TPA strategy and legal compliance.

• BA/BS in a related field of business is highly preferred.

Salary:  

$98,900 - $148,400

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. 

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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.com to 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.