Senior Manager, Products and Solutions

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$25B, and Sagard's team of diverse professionals has grown from 50 to over 300 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 Products and Solutions Team, the Senior Manager, Products and Solutions, will work closely with the Head of Products and Solutions to help lead the end-to-end product design, development and implementation of proprietary private market funds for Sagard.  The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of private markets, a proven track record of product development and execution, and a strong commitment to operational excellence.

Drawing on deep knowledge of private market product structures, channel awareness, the competitive landscape and industry connections, the Senior Manager will also take a leading role in shaping the development of a global wealth management private asset platform that spans affiliated and unaffiliated distribution channels (in Canada and, globally as needed).

This is a complex and technical role involving product structures that impact valued retail, private wealth and (multi) family office clients of Sagard. As such, the Senior Manager will have a high level of technical expertise and will be comfortable engaging with senior members of Sagard’s Investment, Finance, Operations, Legal, Capital Formation, Investor Relations and Communications teams, and Sagard leadership.

Your Responsibilities:

• In alignment with Sagard’s vision and strategy, drive product development of retail, private wealth and custom private asset funds across all asset classes (credit, real estate, venture capital and private equity).
• Develop and manage a product roadmap that spans multiple channels/partners and leverages the firm’s strategic relationship with Power Corporation of Canada (“PCC”), the PCC ecosystem and other private asset manager partners.
• Refine the roadmap in collaboration with channel leadership, Sagard’s Investment Teams and other key stakeholders to meet client and advisor needs and support growth in assets under management.
• Develop key industry relationships and use knowledge of the competitive environment, industry trends and market dynamics to help shape product strategy, inform product structuring and features and influence support for new and existing funds.
• Manage end-to-end documentation for new product launches and enhancements (business case through approvals), in accordance with Sagard’s product strategy, ensuring compliance from a regulatory, taxation and operational perspective.
• Coordinate resources with key internal functions (Product, Investments, Legal, Compliance, Finance, Operations, Tax, Capital Formation, Investor Relations and Communications, etc.) to ensure solutions are well-built, well-managed and well-priced.
• Act as a subject matter expert on private asset solutions for Sagard’s product function and provide regular industry updates to the Sagard team.
• Partner with senior leaders across the organization, including Investments, Value Creation, Capital Formation, Compliance, Legal, and Finance to serve as a key point of contact to help operate the business.
• Oversee the operations of the retail private markets funds, and implement and maintain operational policies and procedures.  Leads the execution of operational programs; assesses and adapts as needed to ensure quality of execution.
• Acts as the prime contact for internal/external stakeholder relationships, which may include regulators.
• Partner with key teams on retail initiatives and work with internal and external service providers to drive efficiencies in middle / back office functions.

Experience Requirements:

• Previous extensive work experience in the Asset Management industry (particularly private or alternative assets) and relevant product development experience, with demonstrated success.
• Extensive knowledge of alternative investment solutions, with a deep understanding of various private asset product structures including regulatory, tax, legal and compliance considerations.
• Strong understanding of the available distribution channel opportunities for private asset products.
• Strong understanding of operational excellence and track record of execution
• Superior decision-making, strategic influencing, and leadership skills, to develop and execute on private asset fundraising initiatives.
• Persuasive verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to build credibility and trust with colleagues and clients and communicate ideas effectively.
• Highly organized and task-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment.
• Fosters strong internal and external networks and works with and across multiple teams to achieve business objectives.
• Strong relationship management skills, internally and externally.
• Self-motivated with the ability to make decisions without detailed instructions.
• Expert organizational skills; strong attention to detail and risk.
• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

Qualification Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s (equivalent or higher) degree or relevant experience.
• Professional designation (e.g., MBA, CFA) is considered an asset.
• Advanced understanding of the functional areas and the market of the Canadian investment industry
• 5+ years of experience overseeing multiple business operations; fund management operations and investment operations experience highly preferred