📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Database Infrastructure Manager
Company: Sun Life
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
Category: IT - Technology Services
Date Posted: 2025-06-17
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site with flexible work schedule

🚀 Role Summary

Lead and manage a team of 4-6 database infrastructure professionals, fostering a culture of growth, inclusivity, and technical excellence.
Provide technical leadership and direction for database infrastructure teams, supporting various technologies such as MSSQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, AWS RDS, Optim, and Imperva SecureSphere.
Collaborate cross-functionally with ops, security, architecture, cloud, and business teams to drive projects and initiatives.
Stay current with emerging technologies, cloud technologies, DevOps tools, and vendor applications to support team growth and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a balance of strong people management skills and deep technical expertise in database infrastructure to drive team success and support Sun Life's digital transformation.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

People Management: Recruit, onboard, and manage team members; conduct performance reviews and support career development. Foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusivity.
Technical Leadership: Provide technical guidance and decision-making for infrastructure teams, designing new deployment patterns, optimizing costs, and ensuring security and compliance.
Cross-Team Collaboration: Work across ops, security, architecture, cloud, and business teams to deliver projects and initiatives that improve Sun Life's services to clients.
Mentoring and Knowledge Sharing: Mentor team members in defining and documenting best practices for global deployments of SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Optim, and Imperva.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, hands-on technical work, and team leadership, requiring strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to balance multiple priorities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., AWS, Microsoft, Oracle) are a plus.

Experience:

3+ years of people management experience, including recruitment, onboarding, and performance reviews.
5+ years of administrative support experience with MS SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Optim, and Imperva SecureSphere.
Experience with AWS core services (EC2, S3, IAM, VPC, AWS RDS) and database workloads.
Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as CloudFormation and/or Terraform.
Proven ability to manage large and complex projects, coach team members, and express technical concepts to various audiences.

Required Skills:

Proven leadership and management skills.
Strong technical background in database infrastructure and cloud services.
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Proficiency in English.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and orchestration tools.
Familiarity with Agile methodologies and CI/CD pipelines.
Experience with data modeling, ETL processes, and data warehousing.
Knowledge of data privacy regulations and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates with experience in hybrid cloud environments, multi-cloud migrations, and data governance will have a strong advantage in this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate successful management of database infrastructure teams, highlighting team growth, improved performance, and positive employee feedback.
Showcase technical projects that showcase your expertise in database administration, cloud services, and infrastructure as code.
Include case studies or success stories that illustrate your ability to drive cost optimization, security, and compliance improvements.

Technical Documentation:

Provide documentation for your managed database infrastructure, including architecture diagrams, deployment processes, and server configuration details.
Include any relevant technical reports, whitepapers, or blog posts that demonstrate your expertise and thought leadership in database infrastructure management.

📝 Enhancement Note: A well-curated portfolio that showcases your technical leadership, problem-solving skills, and ability to drive positive change will be crucial for success in this role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD 84,000 - 138,000 per year

Benefits:

Flexible benefits package to meet your and your family's needs.
Wellness programs supporting mental, physical, and financial health.
Extensive support for continual learning, including company-run courses, online learning platforms, and vendor-led technical sessions.
Flexible work schedule, supporting core business hours.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with the possibility of occasional after-hours and weekend work for project support and disaster recovery exercises.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is for the primary location and may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors. In addition to base pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans based on individual and company performance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth, and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. The company operates in key markets around the world, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, and Bermuda.

Company Size: Sun Life has approximately 34,000 employees globally, providing a large and diverse team environment with ample opportunities for growth and development.

Founded: Sun Life was founded in 1865 and has a long history of innovation, financial strength, and stability.

Team Structure:

The Database Infrastructure team is part of Data Management Services (DMS), which plays a critical role in supporting Sun Life's digital transformation and improving Client experiences.
The team consists of talented employees with varying levels of experience, providing ample opportunities for mentoring, knowledge sharing, and professional growth.

Development Methodology:

Sun Life follows Agile methodologies for software development and project management, with a focus on continuous improvement, collaboration, and customer value.
The company encourages innovation, experimentation, and a test-and-learn approach to drive digital transformation and enhance Client experiences.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Sun Life's culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, providing an ideal environment for database infrastructure professionals seeking to grow their careers in a dynamic and challenging setting.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is a senior-level management position, requiring a balance of strong people management skills and deep technical expertise in database infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of driving team success, optimizing costs, and ensuring security and compliance.

Reporting Structure: The Database Infrastructure Manager reports directly to the Database Infrastructure Director and works closely with various teams, including ops, security, architecture, cloud, and business teams, to deliver projects and initiatives that improve Sun Life's services to clients.

Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on Sun Life's digital transformation, ensuring that the company's database infrastructure is secure, compliant, and optimized for performance and cost-efficiency. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in driving Sun Life's data strategy and supporting the company's growth and innovation objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

Team Expansion: As Sun Life continues to grow and evolve, there will be opportunities to expand the database infrastructure team, providing the successful candidate with the chance to mentor and develop new team members.
Technical Skill Development: Sun Life encourages continuous learning and provides extensive support for employees to develop their technical skills and stay current with emerging technologies, cloud services, and best practices.
Leadership Development: The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, working closely with the Database Infrastructure Director and other senior leaders within Sun Life.

📝 Enhancement Note: Sun Life's culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning provides an ideal environment for database infrastructure professionals seeking to grow their careers in a dynamic and challenging setting.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Sun Life's Toronto office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation, creativity, and teamwork. The company encourages a flexible work environment, with a mix of on-site and remote work options available.

Office Location(s): Sun Life's Toronto office is located at Sun Life Toronto One York, a state-of-the-art facility designed to support the company's digital transformation and provide an exceptional work environment for employees.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Environment: Sun Life's Toronto office features open-concept workspaces, collaboration zones, and meeting rooms designed to facilitate teamwork, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
Technical Tools and Resources: The office is equipped with the latest technology, including multiple monitors, testing devices, and development tools to support the needs of database infrastructure professionals.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Sun Life's Toronto office is home to various teams, including ops, security, architecture, cloud, and business teams, providing ample opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: Sun Life offers a flexible work schedule, supporting core business hours and providing employees with the autonomy to manage their time and priorities effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Sun Life's Toronto office provides an ideal work environment for database infrastructure professionals seeking a modern, collaborative, and innovative workspace that supports their growth and development.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone Screen (30 minutes): A brief phone conversation to discuss your application, technical background, and career aspirations. Be prepared to answer questions about your experience with database infrastructure, cloud services, and people management.
Technical Deep Dive (60 minutes): A detailed discussion of your technical expertise, focusing on your experience with database administration, cloud services, and infrastructure as code. Be prepared to discuss specific projects, challenges, and solutions, as well as your approach to problem-solving, cost optimization, and security.
Behavioral and Cultural Fit (60 minutes): An in-depth conversation to assess your cultural fit with Sun Life, focusing on your leadership style, communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively with various teams. Be prepared to discuss your approach to people management, team development, and driving positive change.
Final Interview (60 minutes): A meeting with the Database Infrastructure Director and other senior leaders to discuss your fit for the role, answer any remaining questions, and make a final decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your successful management of database infrastructure teams, emphasizing your ability to drive team growth, improved performance, and positive employee feedback.
Showcase technical projects that demonstrate your expertise in database administration, cloud services, and infrastructure as code, with a focus on cost optimization, security, and compliance improvements.
Include case studies or success stories that illustrate your ability to drive positive change and deliver tangible results for your teams and organizations.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your knowledge of database administration, cloud services, and infrastructure as code, focusing on the specific technologies and tools mentioned in the job description.
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple, clear language, and be prepared to discuss your approach to problem-solving, cost optimization, and security.
Familiarize yourself with Sun Life's business, industry, and competitive landscape, and be prepared to discuss how your technical expertise can support the company's growth and innovation objectives.

ATS Keywords:

Programming Languages: SQL, PL/SQL, Python, Bash, PowerShell
Web Frameworks: N/A
Server Technologies: MS SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, AWS RDS, Optim, Imperva SecureSphere
Databases: MS SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, AWS RDS
Tools: CloudFormation, Terraform, AWS Management Console, SQL Server Management Studio, Oracle SQL Developer, pgAdmin, MySQL Workbench, Imperva SecureSphere, Optim
Methodologies: Agile, Infrastructure as Code, DevOps, ITIL, COBIT
Soft Skills: Leadership, people management, communication, presentation, problem-solving, adaptability, collaboration, innovation, continuous learning
Industry Terms: Database administration, cloud services, hybrid cloud, multi-cloud, data governance, data privacy, data security, data compliance, cost optimization, infrastructure as code, DevOps, Agile, ITIL, COBIT

📝 Enhancement Note: Sun Life's interview process is designed to assess your technical expertise, leadership skills, and cultural fit with the organization. By preparing thoroughly and showcasing your unique blend of technical and management skills, you will increase your chances of success in the interview process.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Hybrid Cloud Migration: Lead the migration of on-premises database infrastructure to a hybrid cloud environment, optimizing costs, performance, and security while minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity.
Data Governance: Develop and implement a comprehensive data governance strategy that ensures data quality, security, and compliance across Sun Life's database infrastructure.
Disaster Recovery: Design and implement robust disaster recovery solutions that minimize data loss and ensure business continuity in the event of a major incident or outage.
Emerging Technologies: Stay current with emerging technologies, cloud services, and best practices, and drive their adoption within Sun Life's database infrastructure to support the company's growth and innovation objectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: Sun Life encourages continuous learning and provides extensive support for employees to develop their technical skills and stay current with emerging technologies, cloud services, and best practices.
Leadership Development: The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, working closely with the Database Infrastructure Director and other senior leaders within Sun Life.
Conference Attendance and Certification: Sun Life supports employee attendance at industry conferences and the pursuit of relevant certifications, such as AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, or other database administration-related credentials.

📝 Enhancement Note: Sun Life's culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning provides an ideal environment for database infrastructure professionals seeking to grow their careers in a dynamic and challenging setting.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Database Administration: Describe your experience with database administration, focusing on your expertise with MS SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, AWS RDS, Optim, and Imperva SecureSphere. Be prepared to discuss specific projects, challenges, and solutions, as well as your approach to problem-solving, cost optimization, and security.
Cloud Services: Explain your experience with cloud services, focusing on AWS core services (EC2, S3, IAM, VPC, AWS RDS) and database workloads. Be prepared to discuss your approach to cloud migration, cost optimization, and security.
Infrastructure as Code: Describe your experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as CloudFormation and/or Terraform. Be prepared to discuss your approach to IaC, including version control, deployment processes, and server configuration.

Company & Culture Questions:

Sun Life's Business: Demonstrate your understanding of Sun Life's business, industry, and competitive landscape, and be prepared to discuss how your technical expertise can support the company's growth and innovation objectives.
Agile Methodologies: Explain your experience with Agile methodologies and how you have applied them to drive team success, improve performance, and deliver tangible results.
Data Privacy and Compliance: Describe your approach to data privacy and compliance, focusing on your experience with data governance, data security, and data compliance best practices.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Technical Leadership: Highlight your successful management of database infrastructure teams, emphasizing your ability to drive team growth, improved performance, and positive employee feedback.
Technical Expertise: Showcase technical projects that demonstrate your expertise in database administration, cloud services, and infrastructure as code, with a focus on cost optimization, security, and compliance improvements.
Problem-Solving Skills: Include case studies or success stories that illustrate your ability to drive positive change and deliver tangible results for your teams and organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Sun Life's interview process is designed to assess your technical expertise, leadership skills, and cultural fit with the organization. By preparing thoroughly and showcasing your unique blend of technical and management skills, you will increase your chances of success in the interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Database Infrastructure Manager position at Sun Life:

Submit Your Application: Visit the Sun Life careers page and submit your application through the application link.
Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your relevant experience in database administration, cloud services, and people management, emphasizing your technical expertise, leadership skills, and ability to drive positive change.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Showcase your successful management of database infrastructure teams, technical projects, and case studies that demonstrate your expertise in database administration, cloud services, and infrastructure as code.
Research Sun Life: Familiarize yourself with Sun Life's business, industry, and competitive landscape, and be prepared to discuss how your technical expertise can support the company's growth and innovation objectives.
Practice Technical Interview Questions: Review the technical interview questions provided in this document and practice your responses, focusing on your approach to problem-solving, cost optimization, and security.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Sun Life before making application decisions.

Database Infrastructure, Manager