Business Development Associate, Private Wealth Solutions (Toronto)

Sagard Overview

Sagard Holdings ("Sagard") is a multi-strategy alternative asset manager with professionals located in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Since 2016, Sagard has grown exponentially. Assets under management have expanded from US$500M to over US$28B, and Sagard's team of diverse professionals has grown from 50 to over 400 team members.

Sagard invests across four asset classes: Venture Capital, Private Equity, Private Credit, and Real Estate. Sagard Holdings was founded by Power Corporation of Canada as a complement to its global investment holdings and serves as one of its key strategic priorities with strong, long-term growth objectives.

Sagard's entrepreneurial DNA is palpable across our entire team and is a platform built by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs. Sagard looks to generate attractive returns by matching investment opportunities with flexible capital solutions and pairing entrepreneurs with teams that have deep industry knowledge. Sagard develops long-term partnerships and empowers the growth of its investments through a unique global network of portfolio companies, limited partners, advisors, and other valued relationships. 

More at https://www.sagard.com/.

Job Overview

As a member of the Private Wealth Solutions Group, the Business Development Associate will serve as a critical partner within a dynamic sales team dedicated to expanding Sagard's footprint in the private wealth market. Working in close collaboration with 1 or more Vice-Presidents, Distribution, this role is central to the team’s achievement of its sales objectives. The primary mission is to leverage high-volume in-person, digital and phone-based interactions to proactively identify, qualify, and develop a robust pipeline of sales opportunities. As a result of these efforts, the ideal candidate will cultivate deep relationships with financial advisors across the CIRO channel, and grow distribution of Sagard's purpose-built private wealth funds. In this role, the Business Development Associate will collaborate with other members of the Private Wealth Solutions group, as well as with the broader Communications, Capital Formation, Investor Relations, Investment, Finance and Legal teams at Sagard. 

This position is designed as a career accelerator for ambitious sales professionals. It offers a comprehensive development path within a leading alternative asset manager, providing extensive exposure to private markets and sophisticated investment products. 

The ideal candidate is a motivated and highly organized professional with a strong interest in capital markets (and in particular, alternative assets) and a proven ability to build credibility with financial professionals. This role requires a strategic mindset, exceptional communication skills, and the discipline to manage a territory's internal operations effectively. This is a unique opportunity to join a high-growth team and make a tangible impact on the firm's expansion, while building the foundational skills for a successful long-term career in asset management.   

Your Responsibilities

Business Development & Proactive Sales Activity

• Initiate proactive, high-volume outbound calls and digital interactions to identify, qualify, and cultivate relationships with new and existing financial advisors within one or more defined territories 
• Book and coordinate high-impact sales meetings, virtual presentations, and roadshow events for one or more Vice-Presidents, Distribution, ensuring strong attendance and systematic follow-up to maximize sales opportunities
• Execute targeted, data-driven sales campaigns to increase awareness and drive the adoption of Sagard's private wealth product suite across all asset classes

Territory Management & Strategic Support

• Collaborate directly with one or more Vice-Presidents, Distribution to develop, implement, and review the territory's strategic plan, aligning daily activities with quarterly/yearly sales targets
• Act as the central point of contact for advisors in one or more territories, providing exceptional service and promptly following up on all meetings, events, and inquiries to ensure a seamless client experience
• Synthesize advisor interactions and market feedback into actionable intelligence for the sales team and broader Private Wealth Solutions group, identifying emerging trends, competitive threats, and new business opportunities
• Assist the VP Distributions and the Director of Marketing in the segmentation of the group’s client base, to define appropriate service levels and ensure strategic alignment of sales and marketing efforts

Data Intelligence & CRM Discipline

• Diligently record all client interactions and advisor intelligence in the firm's CRM system (Dealcloud) to provide a single source of truth for the team
• Produce and maintain regular reports on sales activity, pipeline development, and territory performance for the sales team and senior leadership
• Analyze sales reports to identify patterns (e.g., first-time buyers, at-risk assets) and translate data into strategic outreach initiatives

Product Expertise & Market Awareness

• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of Sagard's private wealth strategies, as well as the underlying asset classes (credit, real estate, venture capital, private equity)
• Monitor trends and shifts in the private wealth market, including regulatory changes, industry trends, and competitor strategies, to ensure Sagard remains competitive and responsive to client needs
• Articulate complex financial concepts, portfolio construction ideas, and product differentiators in a clear, compelling, and compliant manner to financial advisors
• Serve as a key educational resource for advisors, effectively disseminating marketing materials, thought leadership content, and performance updates 
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to develop compelling messaging, educational content (e.g., white papers, websites), and marketing campaigns that effectively target and engage private wealth audiences

Experience Requirements

• Proven ability to build rapport and establish credibility with clients and partners, preferably in a business-to-business sales or service environment over the phone or virtually   
• Persuasive verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated capacity to simplify complex topics and influence the decisions of sophisticated professionals  
• Exceptional listening skills, enabling a deep understanding of advisor needs, business practices, and underlying objections or opportunities
• Highly organized and task-oriented, with the ability to effectively manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-performance environment  
• A strong devotion to operational excellence and a track record of consistent execution, follow-through, and attention to detail
• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to take independent initiative and make sound decisions with minimal direction, while operating in alignment with team objectives   
• A collaborative, team-oriented mindset and the ability to forge effective working relationships with Vice-Presidents, Distribution, and other internal partners.   
• A genuine passion for capital markets and the asset management industry, coupled with a deep-seated curiosity and commitment to continuous learning and development

Qualification Requirements: 

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in the Canadian financial services industry, preferably in a business development or other client-facing role at an asset manager
• Bachelor’s (equivalent or higher) degree in a relevant field such as Commerce, Finance, Business Administration, or Economics
• Possession of or progress towards a professional designation (e.g., CFA, CIM, CSC) is considered an asset 
• Strong understanding of the Canadian investment industry and familiarity with the CIRO distribution channel
• Proficiency with CRM software and the Google Workspace Suite (Sheets, Docs, Slides)

Sagard is an equal opportunity employer, which values diversity in the workplace. We are therefore happy to accommodate any individual. If you require accommodation in order to participate in the hiring process.  Please contact the People & Culture team to make your needs known in advance.

We welcome all applications and wish to thank all candidates for their interest in applying for this position.  However, only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.