Director, Program Development and Operational Excellence
Top Benefits
About the role
Description Director, Program Development and Operational Excellence Reports to: VP, Wealth Management Programs & Portfolio Advisory Services
Purpose of Role The purpose of the role is to extend and enhance the iA Wealth product and service offering, including the planning, project management, development and implementation of investment programs, banking services, advisor support services, platform infrastructure, and marketing and sales campaigns that drive advisor adoption of strategic programs and the growth of non-grid revenue for iA Wealth. This role will lead, and project manage complex initiatives aimed at developing new programs and enhancing existing ones. Responsibilities include collaborative concept design, business casing new initiatives, designing and developing new program features, optimizing platform infrastructure and operational processes, managing legal reviews and vendor contracts, implementing oversight and controls, optimizing P&L, coordinating sales and communication strategies, and overall launch planning and management in collaboration with program owners and other critical stakeholders. The role will also identify opportunities to cross-sell products and services offered through iA Clarington, iA Capital Markets, and the broader iA Financial Group to further drive non-grid revenue opportunities.
Main Duties & Responsibilities Program Development Strategy [15%]
- Work with key stakeholders to develop objectives and goals to drive growth, enhance program profitability, competitiveness and ensure advisor and client satisfaction.
- Work with program owners, Platform Management and senior leadership team to develop and maintain a long-term vision and roadmap for the Elite Program, PM Program, and other key programs across iA Private Wealth and Investia.
- Work with iA Wealth leadership to identify and define new strategic program offerings to be explored for potential addition to the iA Wealth products and services offering
- Define a platform roadmap outlining short, mid, and long-term milestones to work towards specific and measurable corporate goals.
- Develop business cases and detailed program briefs to align on program specifications and secure funding and resources to initiate projects.
- Develop project management and change management processes related to the investment, operation, pricing, advisor support, regulatory and operational elements related to new program additions or enhancements.
- Maintain a current understanding of wealth management products and services including, but not limited to the UMA, SMA, and PM program competitive landscape, trends, and relative strengths and weaknesses of the IA Wealth Programs.
Program Development and Enhancement [65%]
- Lead and project management the overall new program development and program enhancement initiatives, working closely with program owners and other key stakeholders.
- Develop project plans and lead cross-functional teams through the development process.
- Develop new program or feature concepts and obtain advisor and stakeholder feedback to ensure designs meet needs.
- Design and optimize program infrastructure and operations, ensuring durability and scalability.
- Manage legal and compliance reviews.
- Collaborate with stakeholders on vendor selection and contracting.
- Implement program oversight and controls.
- Establish and optimize P&L with Finance.
- Ensure sales and communication strategies, tools, and materials are in place in coordination with business development leads and Marketing.
- Maintain regular planning and steering committee updates with dealer leadership teams and key program stakeholders.
Operational Excellence [20%]
- Work with key stakeholders across iA Wealth and iA Global Asset Management to identify opportunities to cross-sell products and services offered through Programs and Platforms, iA Clarington, iA Capital Markets, and the broader iA Financial Group to further drive non-grid revenue opportunities.
- Identify opportunities for operational improvements, cost savings, and service enhancements across platforms and the broader Products and Platforms team.
- Identify opportunities to rationalize and optimize processes, technology platforms, and vendor relationships.
- Explore ways to introduce automation through AI and related tools.
- Optimize end-to-end program workflows.
- Analyze and address critical program and platform systemic operational issues, including working with the program owner to develop and execute a plan to address the immediate issue, communicate to clients and advisors, and take remedial action where necessary.
Qualifications Education & Certifications
- Extensive product or program management experience and a keen understanding of the Canadian wealth management industry.
- Undergraduate or graduate degree in finance or related fields.
- Project management experience in a complex, multi-line of business enterprise.
- MBA, PMP an asset
Experience
- Minimum 10 years industry experience planning and managing large-scale projects, from concept to rollout with a focus on wealth management programs and platforms, leading cross-functional teams of 50+ employees and external partners.
- Demonstrated track record of business process and P&L optimization of wealth management products and services.
- Demonstrated track record of successful delivery of strategic programs to market.
- Minimum of five years of experience in the Canadian wealth or asset management industries working directly with wealth management advisors in either a branch, or head office support/sales capacity.
Skills & Abilities
- Strong knowledge of investment industry and Canadian wealth management advisory space.
- Strong project management skills
- Self-starter, ability to identify and act on business opportunities, project needs
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an ability to provide clear and concise direction in a positive and effective manner.
- Demonstrated leadership skills with superior ability to make things happen through the use of impact and influence.
- The ability to work both as part of a team and independently to complete tasks, including working over and above a regular workday as required.
- Bilingual in English and French considered an asset
Specificities
- Occasional Travel for Business Meetings.
- Hybrid role.
About iA Groupe financier / iA Financial Group
iA Financial Group is one of the largest insurance and wealth management groups in Canada, with operations in the United States. Founded in 1892, it is an important Canadian public company and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols IAG (common shares) and IAF (preferred shares).
Director, Program Development and Operational Excellence
Top Benefits
About the role
Description Director, Program Development and Operational Excellence Reports to: VP, Wealth Management Programs & Portfolio Advisory Services
Purpose of Role The purpose of the role is to extend and enhance the iA Wealth product and service offering, including the planning, project management, development and implementation of investment programs, banking services, advisor support services, platform infrastructure, and marketing and sales campaigns that drive advisor adoption of strategic programs and the growth of non-grid revenue for iA Wealth. This role will lead, and project manage complex initiatives aimed at developing new programs and enhancing existing ones. Responsibilities include collaborative concept design, business casing new initiatives, designing and developing new program features, optimizing platform infrastructure and operational processes, managing legal reviews and vendor contracts, implementing oversight and controls, optimizing P&L, coordinating sales and communication strategies, and overall launch planning and management in collaboration with program owners and other critical stakeholders. The role will also identify opportunities to cross-sell products and services offered through iA Clarington, iA Capital Markets, and the broader iA Financial Group to further drive non-grid revenue opportunities.
Main Duties & Responsibilities Program Development Strategy [15%]
- Work with key stakeholders to develop objectives and goals to drive growth, enhance program profitability, competitiveness and ensure advisor and client satisfaction.
- Work with program owners, Platform Management and senior leadership team to develop and maintain a long-term vision and roadmap for the Elite Program, PM Program, and other key programs across iA Private Wealth and Investia.
- Work with iA Wealth leadership to identify and define new strategic program offerings to be explored for potential addition to the iA Wealth products and services offering
- Define a platform roadmap outlining short, mid, and long-term milestones to work towards specific and measurable corporate goals.
- Develop business cases and detailed program briefs to align on program specifications and secure funding and resources to initiate projects.
- Develop project management and change management processes related to the investment, operation, pricing, advisor support, regulatory and operational elements related to new program additions or enhancements.
- Maintain a current understanding of wealth management products and services including, but not limited to the UMA, SMA, and PM program competitive landscape, trends, and relative strengths and weaknesses of the IA Wealth Programs.
Program Development and Enhancement [65%]
- Lead and project management the overall new program development and program enhancement initiatives, working closely with program owners and other key stakeholders.
- Develop project plans and lead cross-functional teams through the development process.
- Develop new program or feature concepts and obtain advisor and stakeholder feedback to ensure designs meet needs.
- Design and optimize program infrastructure and operations, ensuring durability and scalability.
- Manage legal and compliance reviews.
- Collaborate with stakeholders on vendor selection and contracting.
- Implement program oversight and controls.
- Establish and optimize P&L with Finance.
- Ensure sales and communication strategies, tools, and materials are in place in coordination with business development leads and Marketing.
- Maintain regular planning and steering committee updates with dealer leadership teams and key program stakeholders.
Operational Excellence [20%]
- Work with key stakeholders across iA Wealth and iA Global Asset Management to identify opportunities to cross-sell products and services offered through Programs and Platforms, iA Clarington, iA Capital Markets, and the broader iA Financial Group to further drive non-grid revenue opportunities.
- Identify opportunities for operational improvements, cost savings, and service enhancements across platforms and the broader Products and Platforms team.
- Identify opportunities to rationalize and optimize processes, technology platforms, and vendor relationships.
- Explore ways to introduce automation through AI and related tools.
- Optimize end-to-end program workflows.
- Analyze and address critical program and platform systemic operational issues, including working with the program owner to develop and execute a plan to address the immediate issue, communicate to clients and advisors, and take remedial action where necessary.
Qualifications Education & Certifications
- Extensive product or program management experience and a keen understanding of the Canadian wealth management industry.
- Undergraduate or graduate degree in finance or related fields.
- Project management experience in a complex, multi-line of business enterprise.
- MBA, PMP an asset
Experience
- Minimum 10 years industry experience planning and managing large-scale projects, from concept to rollout with a focus on wealth management programs and platforms, leading cross-functional teams of 50+ employees and external partners.
- Demonstrated track record of business process and P&L optimization of wealth management products and services.
- Demonstrated track record of successful delivery of strategic programs to market.
- Minimum of five years of experience in the Canadian wealth or asset management industries working directly with wealth management advisors in either a branch, or head office support/sales capacity.
Skills & Abilities
- Strong knowledge of investment industry and Canadian wealth management advisory space.
- Strong project management skills
- Self-starter, ability to identify and act on business opportunities, project needs
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an ability to provide clear and concise direction in a positive and effective manner.
- Demonstrated leadership skills with superior ability to make things happen through the use of impact and influence.
- The ability to work both as part of a team and independently to complete tasks, including working over and above a regular workday as required.
- Bilingual in English and French considered an asset
Specificities
- Occasional Travel for Business Meetings.
- Hybrid role.
About iA Groupe financier / iA Financial Group
iA Financial Group is one of the largest insurance and wealth management groups in Canada, with operations in the United States. Founded in 1892, it is an important Canadian public company and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols IAG (common shares) and IAF (preferred shares).