Senior UX Designer (D2C)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer (D2C) Company: Sun Life Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Digital Product Design Date Posted: May 06, 2026 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days in-office per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive UX strategy and champion human-centered design principles to elevate Sun Life's Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) digital product offerings.
• Lead the end-to-end design process for digital products, from initial concept and user research through to final implementation, ensuring a seamless and impactful user journey.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional agile teams, including product owners, engineers, and business stakeholders, to deliver data-driven, feasible, and user-centric design solutions.
• Champion design excellence by creating visually appealing, intuitive, and consistent user interfaces across multiple platforms, devices, and channels, with a strong focus on client acquisition funnels.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) digital product space, emphasizing client acquisition and engagement. The "Senior" title implies a need for strategic leadership, mentorship, and the ability to influence design direction across projects and potentially teams. The hybrid model with specific in-office days suggests a need for strong collaboration and communication skills, both in-person and remotely.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic UX Leadership: Take ownership of UX strategy for D2C digital products, acting as an evangelist for human-centered design practices and influencing project direction to ensure user needs are prioritized.
• End-to-End Design Execution: Lead the creation of design specifications, storyboards, user flows, detailed screen designs, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate and validate design solutions.
• Data-Driven Design Integration: Conduct and leverage user research, market scans, concept testing, and usability testing to gather insights and iteratively refine designs, ensuring alignment with client needs, business objectives, and technical constraints.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Actively participate in cross-functional agile teams, collaborating with product owners, engineers, and business partners to ensure design feasibility, accurate implementation, and the delivery of best-in-class digital experiences.
• Performance Measurement & Optimization: Track and report on user experience metrics and analytics, using data to identify areas for improvement and demonstrate the success of UX initiatives and design enhancements.
• Innovation & Emerging Technologies: Explore and integrate AI tools and emerging technologies to enhance design processes, improve efficiency, and drive innovation in user experience design.
• Accessibility & Inclusivity: Ensure all designs adhere to accessibility standards (e.g., AODA, WCAG) and promote inclusive design practices to create equitable experiences for all users.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on design execution, and a strong emphasis on data-informed decision-making. The mention of "client acquisition-based funnel (D2C)" and "client acquisition" points to a focus on conversion rates, user onboarding, and first-time user experience. The requirement to "track user experience metrics and analytics" indicates a need for proficiency in defining and measuring UX success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in user-centered digital design and user experience (UX) within a professional setting.
• Demonstrated experience in digital commerce, specifically within a Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) client acquisition funnel, optimizing user journeys for conversion.
• Proven track record of developing digital products from initial concept through to successful implementation, as evidenced by a strong portfolio.
• Experience delivering design solutions within agile, cross-functional team environments.

Required Skills:

• UX Strategy & Leadership: Ability to define and champion UX strategy, influence project direction, and advocate for human-centered design principles.
• User Research & Analysis: Proficiency in various user research methods, including concept testing, usability testing, and the ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to inform design decisions.
• UI & Visual Design: Strong acumen in UI and visual design, capable of creating aesthetically pleasing, intuitive, and brand-consistent interfaces.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Expertise in creating storyboards, screen flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes to articulate design concepts.
• Design Tools Proficiency: Advanced skills in industry-standard design and collaboration tools such as Figma and Jira.
• Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Solid understanding and practical application of accessibility standards (e.g., AODA, WCAG) and inclusive design principles.
• Agile Methodologies: Experience working effectively within agile development frameworks.

Preferred Skills:

• Design Systems: Deep knowledge of and experience working with design systems to ensure consistency and scalability across various platforms.
• AI Design Tools: Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools and emerging technologies to enhance design processes and innovation.
• Data & Analytics Interpretation: Ability to interpret UX metrics and analytics to drive design improvements and report on success.
• Presentation & Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design choices and advocate for user needs to diverse stakeholders.
• Adaptability & Pace: Ability to work efficiently and adapt quickly in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ownership & Advocacy: A strong sense of ownership and proactive advocacy for end-user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years" experience combined with "Senior" title suggests candidates should be ready to lead initiatives, mentor junior designers, and contribute to the overall UX vision. The emphasis on D2C and client acquisition funnels means candidates with experience in e-commerce, SaaS onboarding, or similar conversion-focused digital products will be highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: A robust portfolio showcasing end-to-end UX design projects, with a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies that illustrate your process from problem definition to solution implementation.
• D2C Focus: Highlight projects specifically within the D2C space, demonstrating experience with client acquisition funnels, conversion optimization, and user onboarding journeys.
• Problem-Solution Framing: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge addressed in each project, your role, the design process undertaken, and the impact of your solutions.
• Visual Design & Interaction: Showcase your UI/visual design skills, including high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and clear user flows.
• Data & Metrics Integration: Include examples of how you've used user research, data analysis, and UX metrics to inform design decisions and measure success, demonstrating ROI where possible.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Visualization: Demonstrate your ability to create clear and concise process documentation, including user journey maps, site maps, wireframes, and user flows.
• Research Synthesis: Show evidence of how you synthesize user research findings into actionable design insights and product requirements.
• Collaboration Artifacts: Include examples of artifacts used in cross-functional collaboration, such as design specs, redlines, or documentation shared with engineering teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is explicitly stated and is a critical component of the application. Candidates should prepare to present specific examples of their work during the interview process, focusing on how their designs solved problems and achieved measurable outcomes, especially in D2C contexts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• CAD $90,000 - $140,000 per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Wellness Programs: Support for mental, physical, and financial well-being.
• Employee Well-being Recognition: Acknowledged for prioritizing employee well-being and fostering a positive work culture, including a Canada Order of Excellence for Mental Health at Work®.
• Incentive Plans: Participation in various incentive plans, subject to individual and company performance.
• Career Development: Opportunities for growth and advancement along diverse career paths.
• Networking Potential: Access to extensive networking opportunities within the organization.
• Hybrid Work Flexibility: Flexibility to work from home and the office, with an in-office presence required 2 days per week.
• Retirement Savings & Insurance: While not explicitly detailed, as a major financial institution, Sun Life typically offers competitive retirement savings plans, health, dental, and vision insurance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, estimated at 40 hours per week, with hybrid flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is in Canadian Dollars (CAD) for the Toronto location. The benefits package emphasizes employee well-being and career growth, aligning with Sun Life's recognized employer status. The hybrid work model offers flexibility but requires a commitment to in-office collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Insurance, Wealth Management, Investments) Company Size: Large (Likely 10,000+ employees, based on typical industry size for Sun Life) Founded: 1865, Sun Life has a long-standing history in financial services, indicating a stable and established organization with a deep understanding of client needs.

Team Structure:

• Experience Design (XD) Team: You will be part of a dedicated Experience Design team, likely comprising UX designers, UI designers, researchers, and content strategists.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role emphasizes close collaboration with product owners, engineers, business analysts, and other key partners within agile, cross-functional teams.
• Reporting: While not explicitly stated, a Senior UX Designer typically reports to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or Head of Experience Design.

Methodology:

• Human-Centered Design: The core philosophy driving design efforts, ensuring that user needs are at the forefront of all product development.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using client feedback, user research, and analytics to inform and validate design choices.
• Agile Development: Projects are executed within an agile framework, promoting iterative development, flexibility, and continuous improvement.
• Continuous Learning: Encouragement to stay current with emerging design trends, technologies, and AI tools.

Company Website: https://www.sunlife.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Sun Life's long history suggests a culture that values stability and client trust, while its modern initiatives (AI tools, hybrid work) indicate a forward-looking approach. The focus on D2C digital products means the UX team plays a crucial role in driving customer acquisition and engagement in a competitive market.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor / Design Leader

• This role represents a senior individual contributor position within the UX design discipline. It requires a high degree of autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead design efforts on complex projects. It offers opportunities for mentorship and influence within the design team and across the organization.

Reporting Structure:

• Likely reports to a Design Manager, Head of UX, or Director of Experience Design, with close collaboration across product, engineering, and business units.

Operations Impact:

• As a Senior UX Designer focusing on D2C products, your impact will be directly tied to improving the client acquisition funnel, enhancing user engagement, driving conversion rates, and ultimately contributing to revenue growth and customer retention for Sun Life's digital offerings. Your work will shape the perception and usability of Sun Life's digital presence for a significant customer segment.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to move into a UX Lead or Managerial role, overseeing a team of designers and driving design strategy.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as UX research, interaction design, design systems, or accessibility.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into Product Management or related roles within the digital product space.
• Industry Influence: Contribute to shaping design best practices within the financial services industry.
• Learning & Development: Access to training, conferences, and certifications to stay at the forefront of UX and AI design trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation implies that candidates should be prepared to mentor junior designers and take ownership of significant design challenges. The growth opportunities highlight a clear path for career advancement within Sun Life's design and digital product organizations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern corporate office environment. Sun Life's One York Street location in Toronto is a prime downtown office space, likely equipped with collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, and amenities. Office Location(s): One York Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This is a central downtown location, easily accessible by public transit.

Workspace Context:

• Hybrid Model: A blend of remote work and in-office presence (2 days per week), requiring adaptability and strong remote collaboration skills.
• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment is expected to facilitate collaboration, brainstorming, and team interactions, supporting the hybrid work model.
• Technology Enablement: Access to necessary design and collaboration tools, likely including high-performance workstations and relevant software licenses.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for in-person mentorship, team meetings, and spontaneous discussions with colleagues on the design team and within cross-functional project teams.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time work schedule, with hybrid flexibility allowing for a balance between remote and in-office work days to optimize productivity and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key aspect of this role, requiring candidates to be comfortable with both remote and in-office collaboration. The office location in downtown Toronto is a significant factor for candidates considering commuting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on experience, UX philosophy, strategic thinking, and alignment with the role's responsibilities.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, walking through 2-3 key projects, explaining their process, design decisions, and impact. This is where your problem-solving and communication skills will be heavily evaluated.
• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: Potentially a take-home assignment or an in-person whiteboarding exercise to assess practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to a specific UX challenge.
• Cross-Functional Team Interview: Meeting with potential team members (product owners, engineers, other designers) to assess collaboration style and fit within the team dynamic.
• Final Interview: Often with a senior leader in the design or product organization to confirm overall fit and address any final questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest projects that best showcase your D2C, client acquisition, and end-to-end design experience.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role and process, the key decisions made (and why), the solutions developed, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
• Highlight Process: Show your thinking – wireframes, user flows, research findings, iteration, and how you addressed user needs and business goals.
• Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion time, improved user satisfaction scores).
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, challenges faced, how you handled conflicting feedback, and your approach to AI in design.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a design challenge is given, quickly grasp the business and user context.
• Structure Your Approach: Outline your steps clearly, whether it's user research, ideation, wireframing, or prototyping.
• Communicate Your Thinking: Verbalize your thought process as you work through the challenge. Explain your assumptions and trade-offs.
• Focus on User Value: Always tie your design decisions back to user needs and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical gate. Candidates must be prepared to articulate their design process and demonstrate tangible results, especially in the D2C context. The interview process is likely multi-stage and designed to assess a range of skills beyond just design execution.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency is a must.
• Jira: For project management, task tracking, and collaboration within agile teams. Understanding how to integrate design work into Jira workflows is key.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, experience with tools like InVision, Axure, or others for creating interactive prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to track user behavior and UX metrics.
• User Feedback Tools: Familiarity with tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback (e.g., surveys, heatmaps, session recordings).

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary tool for UX designers, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms influence the customer journey and data availability can be beneficial.

Emerging Technologies:

• AI Design Tools: Familiarity with AI-powered design assistants, content generation tools, or AI for user research analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Jira is explicitly mentioned and crucial. The role also requires an understanding of how to leverage data and analytics to inform design and measure impact, indicating a need for familiarity with analytics platforms. The mention of AI tools suggests an expectation for candidates to be forward-thinking and adaptable to new technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of Sun Life's clients is paramount, driving all design decisions.
• Excellence & Innovation: Striving for best-in-class digital experiences and embracing new technologies and methodologies, including AI, to drive innovation.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working together across disciplines and departments to achieve shared goals.
• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding high ethical standards and taking ownership of one's work and its impact.
• Well-being: Prioritizing the mental, physical, and financial health of employees.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Active participation and collaboration within agile, cross-functional teams, working closely with product, engineering, and business stakeholders.
• Open Communication: Encouraging clear, transparent communication and feedback exchange among team members.
• User Advocacy: Proactively advocating for the user's perspective in all discussions and decision-making processes.
• Data-Informed Discussions: Using data and research insights to support design recommendations and facilitate productive conversations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Sun Life's values emphasize client focus, innovation, and employee well-being. The collaboration style is expected to be highly interactive and cross-functional, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business/Technical Constraints: Effectively navigating competing priorities to deliver optimal user experiences that are also feasible and align with business objectives in the financial services sector.
• Evolving Digital Landscape: Keeping pace with rapid changes in technology, user expectations, and the competitive D2C market, particularly with the integration of AI.
• Driving Design Adoption: Championing UX best practices and influencing stakeholders across a large, established organization to adopt new design approaches and tools.
• Hybrid Collaboration Dynamics: Optimizing collaboration and maintaining team cohesion within a hybrid work environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX & Design Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX design, research methodologies, and interaction design.
• AI in Design: Learning and applying AI tools and techniques to enhance the design process and create innovative user experiences.
• Financial Services Industry Knowledge: Gaining in-depth understanding of the financial services domain, its regulatory landscape, and client needs.
• Leadership Development: Potential pathways to leadership roles within the design organization, including mentorship and team management.
• Industry Events & Certifications: Access to conferences, workshops, and certifications to stay current with industry trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a large, established company within a dynamic industry. The growth opportunities are robust, offering clear career progression and skill development paths.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user-centered design decision that conflicted with business priorities. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your ability to use data and articulate user value.)
• "How do you approach defining UX strategy for a new D2C digital product or feature? What are the key considerations?" (Show your strategic thinking and understanding of the D2C funnel.)
• "How do you incorporate user research and data analytics into your design process, especially when dealing with client acquisition funnels?" (Demonstrate your data-driven approach.)
• "Discuss your experience using AI tools in your design workflow. How have they improved efficiency or innovation?" (Prepare specific examples of AI tool usage.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Sun Life's D2C digital strategy or its position in the financial services market?" (Research Sun Life's online presence and recent news.)
• "How do you see yourself contributing to Sun Life's values of client-centricity and innovation?" (Align your experience with their stated values.)
• "Describe your preferred collaboration style within a hybrid, cross-functional team." (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, your process, the solution, and the outcome/impact.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively – wireframes, user flows, mockups, prototypes, and key data points.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, provide metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your designs.
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, trade-offs, and how you handled challenges.
• Connect to the Role: Frame your experience and projects in the context of Sun Life's D2C needs and the Senior UX Designer responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on articulating your design process, showcasing your D2C experience, and demonstrating how you use data and research to drive impactful design solutions. Be ready to present your portfolio confidently and answer questions about your strategic thinking and collaboration skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and cover letter (if applicable) highlight your 5+ years of UX experience, with a strong emphasis on D2C, client acquisition, and end-to-end product design. Tailor your application to showcase relevant skills like Figma, Jira, user research, and data-driven design.
• Portfolio Preparation: Curate 2-3 of your most impactful UX case studies that demonstrate your process, problem-solving skills, and measurable results, particularly in D2C contexts. Be ready to present these clearly and concisely.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Sun Life's digital offerings, its D2C strategy, and its company values. Understand how your skills align with their mission.
• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions, and practice articulating your design process and strategic thinking for portfolio presentations and potential design challenges.

⚠️ 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.