UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Sun Life

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Experience Design / User Experience

Date Posted: March 3, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and deliver best-in-class digital experiences that create desirable and consistent user journeys across multiple platforms, devices, and channels.

• Develop innovative concepts, storyboards, screen flows, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design solutions to stakeholders.

• Analyze user data and research findings to inform and validate design decisions, ensuring a data-driven approach to user experience enhancement.

• Collaborate actively within cross-functional agile teams to ensure design feasibility and accurate implementation of user-centered solutions.

• Conduct market scans and stay abreast of digital product design trends and best practices to maintain a competitive edge.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the Experience Design (XD) team, indicating a focus on enhancing user interactions with Sun Life's digital products. The emphasis on "data-driven design solutions" and "meaningful data-driven design solutions" highlights the importance of analytical skills and the ability to translate data into actionable design improvements. The role requires close collaboration with product owners and engineers, typical for agile environments focused on iterative development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create user-centered digital experiences by translating client, business, and technical inputs into intuitive and engaging interfaces.

• Develop and present new concepts, storyboards, screen flows, and interactive prototypes to articulate design strategies and solutions.

• Collaborate with UX writers, journey designers, and researchers to refine and enhance design concepts, ensuring a cohesive user experience.

• Conduct concept and usability testing, analyzing findings to iteratively validate and improve design solutions and ensure adherence to usability standards.

• Analyze user data and research findings, synthesizing insights to inform and justify design decisions for digital products.

• Perform market scans to identify emerging trends and best practices in digital product design, integrating them into design strategies.

• Actively participate as a member of a cross-functional agile team, ensuring designs are technically feasible and implemented with high fidelity.

• Monitor user experience metrics and analytics relevant to the team's work, providing insights for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a full lifecycle approach to UX design, from initial concept development and prototyping to user testing, data analysis, and implementation oversight within an agile framework. The inclusion of "market scans" suggests a proactive approach to innovation and competitive analysis.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• University degree or certification in User Experience, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, or a related field.

Experience:

• 2-5 years of professional experience in user-centered digital design and user experience.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles and methodologies.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency in creating storyboards, screen flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.

• User Research & Testing: Experience with user research methods, including concept and usability testing, and the ability to analyze and synthesize findings.

• Design Tools: Proficiency with current design and collaboration tools such as Figma and Jira.

• Agile Methodology: Familiarity and experience working within agile development environments.

• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication for articulating design choices and advocating for user needs.

• Presentation Skills: Ability to present design solutions and rationale effectively to diverse stakeholders, using both qualitative feedback and quantitative data.

Preferred Skills:

• Data Analysis: Ability to interpret and synthesize user data and research findings to inform design decisions.

• Design Systems: Experience working with and contributing to design systems for scalable, consistent experiences across platforms.

• Accessibility Standards: Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., AODA, WCAG) and inclusive design practices.

• AI-Powered Design Tools: Familiarity with AI-powered design tools and their strategic application within UX workflows.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with product owners, engineers, UX writers, researchers, and business partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 2-5 years positions this role as mid-level, requiring demonstrated practical application of UX principles. The emphasis on specific tools like Figma and Jira, along with agile methodology and accessibility standards, are critical for modern UX roles in enterprise environments. The inclusion of AI tools suggests a forward-looking approach by Sun Life in their design processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive UX portfolio is mandatory, showcasing impactful customer experiences.

• The portfolio must demonstrate experience in developing digital products from initial concept through to successful implementation.

• Showcase a range of projects illustrating problem-solving, user research application, and design iteration.

• Highlight your role and contributions within each project, clearly defining your responsibilities.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you have documented design processes, user flows, and interaction specifications.

• Evidence of iterative design processes, including how feedback was incorporated.

• Documentation related to user research findings and their impact on design decisions.

• Examples of collaboration with development teams to ensure accurate implementation of designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this UX Designer role, serving as the primary evidence of practical skills and project experience. The expectation is to see a clear progression from problem identification to a refined, implemented solution, with a focus on user impact and design rationale.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $65,000 - $105,000 CAD per year (This range is estimated based on the provided data for the primary location and is subject to adjustment based on candidate qualifications, experience, and specific work location.)

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary and Bonus Structure: Base pay complemented by incentive plans influenced by market data and company/individual performance.

• Flexible Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package available from day one, adaptable to individual and family needs.

• Pension, Stock, and Savings Programs: Robust programs designed to support long-term financial security.

• Health and Wellness: Programs and resources to support employee health and well-being.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work hours, likely around 37.5-40 hours per week.

• The role is designated as Hybrid, allowing for a combination of in-office and remote work, offering flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a critical piece of information for candidates. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical for a large financial institution like Sun Life, and aims to support employees' holistic well-being and financial future. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a modern approach to work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Insurance

Company Size: Sun Life is a large, established global financial services company, indicating a structured yet evolving corporate environment. This size suggests access to significant resources, established processes, and opportunities for large-scale impact.

Founded: Sun Life Financial was founded in 1865, bringing a long history of stability and expertise, blended with a current focus on digital transformation.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Experience Design (XD) team, a specialized group focused on user-centric design.

• Collaboration is expected within agile, cross-functional teams comprising product owners, engineers, UX writers, journey designers, and researchers.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: The team operates within an agile framework, emphasizing iterative development, flexibility, and rapid response to feedback.

• Data-Driven Design: Design decisions are informed by user data, research findings, and performance metrics.

• User-Centered Approach: A strong focus on understanding and meeting client and user needs is central to the design process.

Company Website: [Sun Life Website URL - inferred from domain: sunlife.com]

📝 Enhancement Note: Sun Life's long history combined with a strong push towards digital transformation creates a unique environment where established practices meet innovation. The emphasis on agile and data-driven design within the XD team suggests a culture that values efficiency, user impact, and continuous improvement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level UX Designer. This role requires 2-5 years of experience, indicating a professional who can work independently on defined tasks but may still be developing strategic autonomy. They are expected to contribute significantly to project design and execution.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a UX Design Lead or Manager within the Experience Design (XD) team. They will work closely with Product Owners and Engineering Leads within their agile squads.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts the usability, desirability, and overall effectiveness of Sun Life's digital products. Successful design solutions enhance customer satisfaction, improve engagement, drive adoption of digital channels, and ultimately contribute to client retention and business growth by making financial services more accessible and user-friendly.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific UX areas such as user research, interaction design, accessibility, or emerging technologies like AI in design.

• Leadership Development: Transition into senior UX designer roles, lead design initiatives, or mentor junior designers.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Gain exposure to different product areas or even move into related roles like Product Management or User Research Lead.

• Continuous Learning: Access to training, workshops, and industry conferences to stay current with UX trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a solid foundation for a UX career within a large, established organization. The growth path is clear, moving from executing design tasks to leading them, and potentially specializing in high-demand areas within UX or expanding into adjacent roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Sun Life operates as a hybrid organization, offering a blend of in-office and remote work. This suggests a modern workspace designed to accommodate both collaboration and individual focused work.

Office Location(s): The primary posting is for Toronto, Ontario, Canada, specifically at the "Sun Life Toronto One York" location. This implies a professional office environment in a major metropolitan area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office likely features areas designed for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional collaboration, essential for agile teams.

• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Jira), collaboration platforms, and necessary hardware for design work.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for spontaneous interaction with colleagues, fostering a sense of community and enabling quick problem-solving.

• Flexible Workstations: Potential for hot-desking or assigned workstations that support a hybrid work model.

Work Schedule:

• While formal hours are not specified, a typical full-time role in this sector would involve standard business hours, likely around 40 hours per week.

• The hybrid nature allows for flexibility in how and where these hours are worked, balanced with in-office requirements for team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect, indicating a balance between flexibility and in-person collaboration. The Toronto location suggests a dynamic urban work environment with access to talent and resources.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience against job requirements.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Discussion about your experience, design philosophy, and how you approach UX challenges. This will likely include questions about your portfolio.

• Design Exercise/Challenge: A practical exercise or case study to evaluate your design thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to apply UX principles. This may be timed.

• Stakeholder/Cross-functional Interview: Meeting with potential team members (e.g., Product Owner, Engineer, Researcher) to assess collaboration style and fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills and experience relevant to this role.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), your design decisions, and the outcome/impact.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion time, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Showcase Process: Be prepared to walk interviewers through your design process, explaining your rationale at each step.

• Highlight Collaboration: Illustrate how you worked with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

• Tailor to Sun Life: If possible, subtly tailor your presentation to align with Sun Life's industry and potential user needs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Scope: Clarify the objectives, constraints, and expected deliverables for any design challenge.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across research, ideation, design, and presentation.

• Focus on Process: Even if you can't complete a fully polished design, demonstrate a clear, logical thought process.

• Communicate Your Thinking: Verbalize your assumptions, decisions, and trade-offs.

• Consider the Business Context: Think about how your design solution aligns with business goals and user needs within the financial services industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and potential design challenges highlights the practical, skills-based nature of UX roles. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process and demonstrate tangible results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design & Collaboration Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows. Proficiency is expected for creating high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes.

• Jira: Key for agile project management, task tracking, and workflow management within development teams. Understanding how to integrate design tasks into Jira is important.

User Research & Testing Tools:

• Usability Testing Platforms: Experience with tools for conducting remote or in-person usability tests (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).

• Analytics Tools: Familiarity with web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and inform design.

Prototyping & Wireframing Tools:

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, experience with tools like InVision, Axure, or Adobe XD may be beneficial.

• Wireframing Tools: Tools like Balsamiq or Sketch for low-fidelity concept development.

Design Systems & Accessibility:

• Design System Tools: Understanding how to work with or contribute to design systems.

• Accessibility Checkers: Familiarity with tools to audit designs for compliance with accessibility standards (e.g., WAVE, Axe).

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Jira is explicitly required and forms the core of the technology stack for this role. Knowledge of user research tools and analytics platforms is also crucial for a data-driven UX approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client Focus: A commitment to understanding and serving the needs of Sun Life's clients through intuitive and effective digital experiences.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Embracing new ideas, technologies (like AI in design), and methodologies to enhance user experiences and operational efficiency.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively within cross-functional agile teams to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing user data and research insights to guide design choices and measure impact.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: Designing for all users, ensuring digital products are usable and accessible to people with diverse abilities.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile & Iterative: Embracing flexible workflows, regular feedback loops, and adaptive planning.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with product management, engineering, research, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment and deliver cohesive solutions.

• Open Communication: Encouraging clear, honest, and constructive dialogue to solve problems and refine designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in design critiques, sharing insights, and contributing to the team's collective knowledge base.

📝 Enhancement Note: Sun Life's stated values around client security, health, and financial well-being likely translate into a UX culture focused on building trust, simplifying complex financial concepts, and empowering users. The emphasis on hybrid work supports flexibility and autonomy within a collaborative framework.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business/Technical Constraints: Effectively advocating for user needs while navigating technical limitations and business objectives within a large organization.

• Designing for Complex Financial Products: Translating intricate financial services into simple, understandable, and user-friendly digital experiences.

• Maintaining Consistency Across Platforms: Ensuring a cohesive and branded experience across various digital touchpoints and devices.

• Adopting New Technologies: Staying current with evolving design tools, AI applications, and user expectations in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Certifications: Pursuing certifications in UX, accessibility, or related fields.

• Internal Training & Workshops: Access to Sun Life's internal learning resources and development programs.

• Conferences & Seminars: Opportunities to attend industry events to learn about the latest trends and network with peers.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior designers or to mentor junior members of the team.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gaining experience in areas like user research, product management, or data analytics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in the financial services UX domain, requiring strong problem-solving skills and robust communication. The growth opportunities are substantial, leveraging Sun Life's resources to foster continuous professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a design decision that was met with resistance. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your communication, data usage, and negotiation skills.)

• "Walk me through a challenging UX project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your process, the key decisions you made, and the impact of your solution?" (Prepare to detail your thought process and quantifiable results.)

• "How do you approach designing for accessibility and inclusive user experiences?" (Showcase your knowledge of standards like WCAG/AODA and your commitment to designing for all users.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Sun Life and its mission, how would you ensure our digital products reflect our values of trust and security?" (Research Sun Life's mission, values, and recent initiatives.)

• "How do you prefer to collaborate within a hybrid, agile team environment?" (Highlight your adaptability, communication style, and experience with agile ceremonies.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your career and design philosophy. For each project, present a clear problem, your role, the process, key decisions with rationale, and measurable outcomes.

• Storytelling: Weave a narrative that highlights your problem-solving skills and impact.

• Visuals: Use clear, high-quality visuals of your designs, wireframes, and prototypes.

• Engagement: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your work and invite discussion.

• Conciseness: Respect the interviewer's time; aim for detailed yet concise explanations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills, but also strategic thinking, collaborative ability, and a user-centric mindset tailored to the financial services industry. Quantifiable results are critical for showcasing impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible, and showcases 3-5 of your most impactful UX projects, clearly detailing your process and results.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords related to UX design, user research, Figma, Jira, agile methodologies, and any relevant financial services experience. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail, practice answering common UX interview questions, and research Sun Life's digital presence and company values.

• Company Research: Understand Sun Life's mission, target audience, and recent digital initiatives to better articulate how your skills can contribute to their goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.