Director of Mental Health

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.

At Sun Life, we're driven by our Purpose: helping our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Our values shape how we work: caring, authentic, bold, inspiring, and impactful.

When you join Sun Life, you'll work with passionate colleagues and empowering leaders who support your growth and celebrate your contributions, so you can make a meaningful difference in our Clients' lives.

Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

At Sunlife, we passionately champion the mental health of our clients through expertise, innovation, access to care, and our relentless pursuit of a better client experience. Our objective is to improve mental, physical and financial health outcomes for plan members, plan sponsors and Sun Life at every stage along the health continuum.

As Director, Mental Health , you will draw on your background in mental health in a leadership role. We welcome candidates who qualify for registration or licensure as mental health professionals in their province, including previously registered or licensed clinicians who are no longer practicing, as well as those who currently hold registration or licenses. You will position Sun Life as a trusted collaborator, educator and influencer in mental health, in client and health care settings, by:

• •helping plan sponsors to develop/educate and implement business cases for better mental health care investment, positively impacting our plan sponsor clients’ organizational health;
• •creating partnerships within the medical and public health community on how to work collaboratively and effectively with the insurance industry as a major funder of mental health care; and
• •to provide expert consultation on product designs and partnerships, both new and established, with the aim of improving care access and effectiveness.

Reporting to the AVP, Communications & Enablement, your Areas of Accountability include :

Research, Market Development & Thought Leadership

• •Be aware of and understand factors that complicate treatment and add difficulties to plan members and plan sponsors and understand the contextual and possible systemic challenges these complications and difficulties present to the prevention, management and treatment of mental health conditions, whether clinical, organizational, financial, client relations, legal, etc., and identify solutions for plan members, plan sponsors and Sun Life.
• •Drive thought leadership for all aspects of mental health (prevention, management and treatment), leveraging clinical knowledge and applying evidence and leading research to inform and influence Sun Life leadership and its strategy on mental health.
• •Conduct compelling presentations at industry conferences and client engagements, while concurrently supporting the development of comprehensive educational resources, including multimedia content and instructional toolkits, to empower plan sponsors, advisors, and plan members in comprehending and effectively addressing mental health considerations within the workplace and their respective group benefits plans
• •Drive thought leadership at both a national and a regional level, with an awareness of how the mental health care system varies by region. This will enable us to effectively understand regional differences in what is available publicly and privately, influence thinking and action in each region within the medical and psychological community, as well as what is offered privately to close the gaps in assessment, management and treatment of mental health in both client and healthcare settings.
• •Lead and/or consult on research initiatives focused on mental health, leveraging clinical expertise and evidence-based practices to inform organizational strategy, drive thought leadership, and identify solutions for plan members, plan sponsors, and Sun Life. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to understand systemic challenges, apply leading research, and influence the development of innovative approaches to prevention, management, and treatment of mental health conditions.

Practice and Product Development in Mental Health

• •Using a consultative approach, provide direction and subject matter expertise to those responsible for disability management and mental health initiatives within Group Benefits product development, Canadian Operations and Group Disability; and in how Sun Life presents itself as a provider in this space. This will include activities such as product development, case management practice, training and curriculum development, and the design of pilot projects and research initiatives that focus on improving the prevention, management and treatment of mental health.
• •Leverage mental health subject matter expertise for Organizational Health Consultants both strategically in setting practice, and in response to engagement requests from OHC Consultants. Support consultants in preparing to engage with their clients on mental health related issues and provide mental health education; will include direct engagement with clients in conjunction with OHC Consultants, where required.
• •Support other business units within Sun Life as relevant to develop a psychologically healthy and safe work environment across the organization.

What You Bring To The Table:

• •Current or previous registration or licensure as a mental health professional in your province, or eligibility for registration or licensure. Previously registered or licensed clinicians who are no longer practising are welcome; current registration or licensure and active clinical practice are not required. Relevant backgrounds include psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, licensed clinical social worker, or registered psychotherapist. Individuals who qualify as registered health professionals in their province with equivalent mental health credentials are also welcome; professional titles may vary by jurisdiction.
• •Minimum 7 years' relevant experience in mental health, including clinical practice, which may span private practice, employee and family assistance programs (EFAP), insurance, consulting, public health, rehabilitation or related settings
• •An established foundation of clinical experience, including experience gained as a previously registered or licensed clinician who is no longer practising, and a commitment to keeping mental health knowledge current through ongoing professional learning.
• •Working knowledge of workplace mental health (e.g., disability management, EFAP, etc.); experience in disability insurance, disability case management, rehabilitation or return-to-work programs is an asset
• •Strong knowledge of mental health including symptomatology, psychological assessment, case formulation, treatment planning, diagnoses, and impact to functionality
• •Knowledge and experience in current and emerging evidence-based mental health treatments
• •Advanced skill in coaching and with demonstrated collaboration with fellow stakeholders including business and interdisciplinary health teams
• •Knowledge of psychopharmacology an asset

Assets and Competencies:

• •Able to deliver innovative solutions, leveraging data and technology
• •Experience in the insurance business, particularly group benefits, is a strong asset, including an understanding of how workplace mental health programs support plan members and plan sponsors
• •Strategic thinker who is comforta