Job Description

Massey Henry is pleased to support Desjardins Group ("Desjardins") in the recruitment of a Branch Manager, Desjardins Securities. Desjardins is the largest cooperative financial group in North America, one of the largest employers in Canada, and the fifth largest cooperative financial group in the world.

About Desjardins Group

Desjardins Group ("Desjardins") is the largest cooperative financial group in North America, one of the largest employers in Canada, and the fifth largest cooperative financial group in the world. With assets of $435.8 billion as at March 31, 2024, Desjardins is the financial institution with the largest regional presence in Quebec and has an established and rapidly growing presence in Ontario. Desjardins offers a full range of financial products and services and is home to a wealth of expertise in property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, wealth management, services for businesses of all sizes, securities brokerage, asset management, venture capital, and secure, leading-edge virtual access methods.




Its 55,000+ employees and 2,300+ directors contribute to maintaining its leading position in online and mobile banking services. Desjardins Group is a corporate citizen that puts people first.

Mission

As a cooperative financial group contributing to the development of communities, we give our members and clients the support they need to be financially empowered.

About Desjardins Securities

Desjardins Securities is the full-service brokerage of Desjardins Group, the leading cooperative financial group in Canada. Desjardins Securities offers personalized wealth management services to mass-affluent and high-net-worth clients, ranging from individuals to business owners.




Through its network of recognized specialists, Desjardins Securities offers tailored investment solutions that are supported by high-quality research and powerful digital tools. Desjardins Securities is known for its commitment to clients' self-sufficiency and financial security, and for its professionalism and community involvement.




The team offers tailored investment solutions and strategies that enable them to achieve their financial objectives, across 42 locations and points of service in Quebec and Ontario.




With over 550 wealth managers and more than $55 billion in assets under management, Desjardins Securities provides clients with access to the largest pool of wealth management specialists in the Desjardins network, and investment solutions tailored to meet the needs of individuals and business owners.




Products and Services




Taking a personalized approach to clients' financial situations and long-term objectives, Desjardins' team of investment advisors recommend investment products and customized solutions that respond to clients' financial goals, including:





Investment advice Wealth management Business services Discretionary management Accounts and range of products

Additional Highlights

Over 850 employees, 72% of whom are women. 34.4% of salaried employees are under the age of 35, representing the largest employee segment. 45% of team members have between 10 and 20 years of experience, reflecting a balance of dynamism and expertise. Access to the largest pool of wealth management specialists in the Desjardins network. Tailored investment solutions to meet the needs of individuals and business owners. Internal research department that provides rigorous analysis to ensure informed recommendations. User-friendly and secure digital tools to make it easier to manage investments online. A work environment that promotes work-life balance and employee well-being. In a context of ongoing workforce transformation, Desjardins Securities promotes inclusive practices focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion, with particular attention to ethnocultural representation. Strong community involvement, including serving as a building partner of the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation since 2002, and supporting multiple causes in our communities every year.

Socioeconomic Impact

Commitment to Community




For more than 120 years, Desjardins has been improving people's lives and communities by supporting important initiatives that shape our society. Desjardins' cooperative spirit keeps the organization rooted in the community, and for years, the organization has supported initiatives that meet the needs of its members, clients and communities.




Community Contribution Highlights




Desjardins provides financial support to individuals, organizations and institutions that enhance collective well-being at the local, regional and national level, impacts highlights include:


912 initiatives supported by the GoodSpark Fund since it's inception - impacting nearly 2.4 million people and businesses. 1,564 entrepreneurs supported by social finance programs (2023) 642,579 young people reached through the Desjardins Foundation and financial literacy initiatives (2023)


Sustainability




Desjardins has a clear ambition: Accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and put sustainability at the centre of everything we do.



Through sustainable investing, Desjardins makes it possible for its members to invest money according to their values and environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. The organization continues to deliver on its commitment to sustainable development, and achieved the following targets in 2024:





Reached its target of building a $2.1B investment portfolio dedicated to renewable energy by 2025. Since 2020, allocated over $6B to support energy transition and renewable energy projects.

People & Culture

Desjardins is committed to fostering a people-focused and inclusive culture, driven by a belief in the importance of work-life balance and employee well-being. Desjardins Group has been recognized as a Best Employer in Canada for several years now, and received numerous awards including:





Named one of Canada's Best Employers in the banking and financial services industry in 2024 by Forbes magazine. Mediacorp Canada Inc. ranked Desjardins among Canada's Top Employers for Young People and Greenest Employers in 2024, and one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for the 14th consecutive year.

Additional Information

Please visit the Desjardins website for more information about their mandate and operations, as well as the Management Committee and Board of Directors .




For more information about Desjardins Securities, please visit here .

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Vice President and National Sales Director, Desjardins Securities, the Branch Manager spearheads the launch and growth of a high-performing branch dedicated to delivering exceptional, client-focused wealth management solutions.




Working closely with senior leadership, the Branch Manager drives the strategic recruitment of top-tier investment advisors, fuels business development initiatives, and cultivates a culture of long-term success built on trust, performance, and innovation.




As a hands-on leader for the GTA, Southwestern Ontario, and Ottawa, the Branch Manager also oversees day-to-day branch operations, championing revenue growth and industry-leading compliance and regulatory and risk management standards. A strong relationship builder and mentor, the Branch Manager fosters deep client connections, develops investment advisors, and works alongside executive leadership to continuously enhance operational effectiveness.




By embodying Desjardins Securities' values and innovative approach, the Branch Manager strengthens the branch's reputation -- and that of the broader organization -- as a trusted partner for clients and advisors in the evolving wealth management space.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Branch Growth





Lead the launch and expansion of a new branch in Ontario, with a focus on the GTA, Southwestern Ontario, and Ottawa, serving as the senior-most leader and primary representative of Desjardins Securities in the region. Drive strategic recruitment of high-performing Investment Advisors (IAs), leveraging personal networks, market insights, and strong local knowledge to build a team aligned with Desjardins' values and growth objectives. Establish and maintain a strong presence in the market through the development of referral networks and Centers of Influence that support sustained business development and client acquisition. Strengthen the reputation of the branch - and that of the broader organization - as a trusted partner for clients and advisors in the evolving wealth management space. Represent senior management in public business development activities, as applicable.


Coordinated Business Development





Implement the coordinated business development plan for your regions within Securities Brokerage, in partnership with the broader Desjardins team. Ensure regional alignment with the organization's business model by harmonizing business practices, development strategies, and performance targets. Maintain strong relationships with regional stakeholders--including members of the caisse network, specialized networks, and the business network--to build partnerships that support shared business development goals. Create and monitor a business development plan for your region and Wealth Manager teams, aligned with strategic directions, challenges, and defined objectives, and ensure ongoing follow-up. Promote Desjardins' wealth management sector by serving as a community ambassador. Implement management practices that foster engagement and encourage participation in client and team events, as well as community involvement.


Operational Oversight





Transition from a business-building focus to full branch management once critical mass is achieved, ensuring a smooth shift to operational maturity and stability. Oversee day-to-day branch operations to ensure alignment with Desjardins Securities' standards for service excellence, operational efficiency, and client satisfaction. Manage the branch's financial performance, including revenue planning, budgeting, and expense oversight. Provide leadership and support across all branch functions, creating a culture of accountability, client focus, and continuous improvement.


Service Delivery





Ensure the delivery of high-quality services, maintain strong business relationships, and oversee the client experience, with support from Business Development Support Teams (BDST). Promote and sustain collaboration mechanisms between business development and support teams to ensure consistent, high-quality experience to clients. Implement regional initiatives to support Wealth Managers in strengthening their business development strategies, effectively promoting the service offering, enhancing professional skills, and continuously improving overall service quality. Contribute to the Net Promoter Score (NPS) action plan by conducting follow-up calls and implementing corrective actions as necessary.


Financial Performance





Drive profitability, business outcomes, business development growth, and adherence to sound business practices. Monitor business results in your regions based on financial objectives. Oversee the development and rollout of business development strategies to achieve those results, while ensuring compliance with regulations. Track business development targets based on business plans for your regions and wealth management teams Promote the core investment offering in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements and encourage team adoption.


Risk, Security & Compliance





Maintain responsibility for Tier 1A supervision and ensure all supervisory obligations are met. Collaborate closely with Head Office functions in Quebec, as well as Compliance and National Supervision teams, to ensure branch operations remain fully compliant with regulatory requirements and internal policies. Foster a culture of risk awareness and compliance excellence within the branch. Provide regulatory governance and oversight for client-facing activities. Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory provisions Report any legal or regulatory risks identified. Enforce the Desjardins Securities Code of Ethics, internal policies and procedures, and applicable securities regulations within their regions. Carry out the regional business continuity plan.


People Leadership & Cultural Evolution





Support the development, engagement, and retention of Investment Advisors and branch staff by fostering a high-performance, inclusive culture rooted in collaboration, integrity, and client-first values. Empower advisors to leverage Desjardins' full suite of integrated financial solutions -- encompassing investment advisory, financial and retirement planning, estate and tax strategies, insurance, credit services, and private wealth management. Oversee the management, engagement, hiring and succession planning of the Business Development Teams (BDT). Recruit Wealth Managers using innovative, regionally tailored strategies aligned with industry standards, and support the Assistant Director in recruitment efforts as needed. Support Wealth Managers through best coaching practices, fostering their commitment to achieving regional business objectives. Act as a change leader in the cultural evolution of wealth management, ensuring team agility to better serve clients. Promote engagement and recognition programs for Wealth Managers. Manage a client-focused team by fostering continuous skill development and maintaining high standards of service quality through individual and team performance management. Foster an organizational culture that promotes a healthy, competitive business environment aligned with industry best practices. Implement management and communication practices that support change management, talent attraction and retention, skills development, engagement, and diversity, in alignment with organizational values. Oversee the individual performance of Associate Advisors and Financial Planners to support the execution of the business plan. Establish collaborative (or "synergistic") working methods within their regions and between BDTs and Business Development Support Teams (BDST). Promote collaboration with Desjardins' peers across the organization.


Compliance & Regulatory Alignment





Maintain responsibility for Tier 1A supervision and ensure all supervisory obligations are met. Collaborate closely with Head Office functions in Quebec, as well as Compliance and National Supervision teams, to ensure branch operations remain fully compliant with regulatory requirements and internal policies. Foster a culture of risk awareness and compliance excellence within the branch.


People Leadership & Cultural Evolution





Support the development, engagement, and retention of Investment Advisors and branch staff by fostering a high-performance, inclusive culture rooted in collaboration, integrity, and client-first values. Empower advisors to leverage Desjardins' full suite of integrated financial solutions --encompassing investment advisory, financial and retirement planning, estate and tax strategies, insurance, credit services, and private wealth management. Promote collaboration with Desjardins' peers across the organization. Support the development, engagement, and retention of Investment Advisors and branch staff by fostering a high-performance, inclusive culture rooted in collaboration, integrity, and client-first values. Empower advisors to leverage Desjardins' full suite of integrated financial solutions -- encompassing investment advisory, financial and retirement planning, estate and tax strategies, insurance, credit services, and private wealth management. Oversee the management, engagement, hiring and succession planning of the Business Development Teams (BDT). Recruit Wealth Managers using innovative, regionally tailored strategies aligned with industry standards, and support the Assistant Director in recruitment efforts as needed. Support Wealth Managers through best coaching practices, fostering their commitment to achieving regional business objectives. Act as a change leader in the cultural evolution of wealth management, ensuring team agility to better serve clients. Promote engagement and recognition programs for Wealth Managers. Manage a client-focused team by fostering continuous skill development and maintaining high standards of service quality through individual and team performance management. Foster an organizational culture that promotes a healthy, competitive business environment aligned with industry best practices. Implement management and communication practices that support change management, talent attraction and retention, skills development, engagement, and diversity, in alignment with organizational values. Oversee the individual performance of Associate Advisors and Financial Planners to support the execution of the business plan. Establish collaborative (or "synergistic") working methods within their regions and between BDTs and Business Development Support Teams (BDST). Promote collaboration with Desjardins' peers across the organization.

The Individual

The Branch Manager is a seasoned financial services executive, with 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in business development and advisor recruitment within the full-service brokerage community, including a minimum of 9 years experience in the securities industry, primarily acquired in full-service brokerage, specifically as an Investment Advisor or Branch Manager.


Well-connected across the sector, the Branch Manager excels at attracting and engaging top-tier investment advisors and growing assets under management (AUM), while rigorously maintaining regulatory compliance.




With deep insight into the financial services landscape -- locally and nationally -- they understand the dynamics of the Ontario markets, and its evolving client needs, and the importance of staying ahead in a competitive, regulated environment.




The Branch Manager is well-versed in the unique challenges and opportunities within the wealth management sector, with a clear focus on balancing sustainable asset growth with compliance and operational excellence.




A collaborative and adaptable leader, the Branch Manager is an experienced mentor, capable of fostering a team-oriented culture that encourages open communication, continuous development, and high performance. With a hands-on leadership style, the successful incumbent blends strategic vision with operational discipline to support advisors and staff in delivering exceptional client outcomes and driving branch success.

Key Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience





15+ years of progressive leadership experience in wealth management, including experience as a Branch Manager or regional sales leader. Minimum 9 years of experience in the securities industry, primarily acquired in full-service brokerage, specifically as an Investment Advisor or Branch Manager. Demonstrated success in advisor recruitment, business development, and client relationship management within the CIRO-regulated brokerage space. Deep industry network and well connected across the wealth management sector, in the GTA and throughout Southwestern Ontario. Excels at talent, engagement, development, and retention. Experienced business developer, with expertise in growing assets under management (AUM), while rigorously maintaining regulatory compliance. Strong knowledge of investment products, regulatory compliance, and financial planning services. Proven ability to manage change, drive business growth, and build high-performance cultures. In-depth knowledge of the territory and specific market challenges in wealth management. Excellent understanding of regulatory obligations related to business development activities. Solid management and leadership skills to support Business Development Advisor (BDA) teams in their role as business development leaders. Strong interpersonal and political acuity in building business relationships and partnerships with the caisse network, specialized networks, and Business Services teams.


Education and Registration





Bachelor's degree in business, or relevant field. CPA, CFA, or MBA is an asset. Registered with the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) as: + Registered Representative (with completion of the Canadian Securities Course (CSC), Conduct and Practices Handbook Course (CPH), and Wealth Management Essentials (WME)). + Designated Supervisor (with completion of the Branch Managers' Course (BMC)).
+ Options Supervisor (with completion or in progress of the Options Licensing Course and the Options Supervisors Course).



Personal Attributes

Integrity

: Consistently acts with honesty, accountability, and a strong commitment to public service values.

Agile

: Demonstrated ability to quickly get up to speed on complex topics, projects, and stakeholder environments.

Breadth and Flexibility

: Brings a wide-ranging skill set and seamlessly adapts between strategic priorities and detailed execution.

Collaborative

: Fosters strong relationships across diverse internal teams and external stakeholders to drive aligned outcomes.

Mentor

: Actively supports the growth and development of junior team members through coaching and knowledge sharing.

Trust

: Earns and maintains the confidence of colleagues, partners, and senior stakeholders through reliability and discretion.

High performing

: Delivers consistently high-quality work under pressure while maintaining precision and professionalism. *

Results-driven

: Focuses on delivering tangible, high-impact outcomes aligned with organizational mandates and stakeholder needs.