D

Account Managers, Business

Desjardins
Full-time
On-site
MontrΓ©al, Quebec, Canada
πŸ’Ό Account Management

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Business Account Manager

πŸ”Ή Company: Desjardins

πŸ”Ή Location: MontrΓ©al, Quebec, Canada

πŸ”Ή Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid

πŸ”Ή Category: Business Development & Sales

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: April 4, 2025

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 8+ years

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Building and maintaining strategic business relationships with clients
  • Promoting Desjardins' services and products to meet clients' needs
  • Managing accounts and ensuring client satisfaction
  • Developing and implementing strategies to achieve sales targets and improve business relationships
  • Identifying business opportunities and negotiating terms with clients

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of interpersonal savvy and communication skills to effectively manage complex client relationships and negotiate terms.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Maintain lasting, personal business relationships with important clients to promote services

βœ… Manage accounts by serving as the link between clients and the organization, ensuring clients have the products and services they need, are using them correctly, and are satisfied with them

βœ… Recommend strategies and solutions to meet targets, such as sound risk management, portfolio profitability, and improved business relationships

βœ… Identify and analyze member/client needs; develop custom solutions; prepare integrated service offers that balance member/client satisfaction, profitability, and risk; and negotiate terms

βœ… Watch for business opportunities that would add a competitive edge to existing products and services

βœ… Take an active role in public relations activities and maintain a presence in the business community

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong decision-making skills to balance client satisfaction with portfolio profitability and risk management.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field

Experience: A minimum of eight years of relevant experience

Required Skills:

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Strong negotiation and problem-solving abilities
  • Proven sales and business development experience
  • Fluency in French (required)
  • Ability to work independently and manage complex client relationships

Preferred Skills:

  • Bilingualism (French and English)
  • Experience in the financial services industry
  • Knowledge of Desjardins' products and services

ASSUMPTION: Given the complex nature of this role, candidates with relevant experience in business development, sales, or account management are strongly encouraged to apply.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD 80,000 - CAD 120,000 per year (based on industry standards for similar roles in Montreal)

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary and annual bonus
  • 4 weeks of flexible vacation starting in the first year
  • Defined benefit pension plan
  • Group insurance including telemedicine
  • Reimbursement of health and wellness expenses and telework equipment

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours and hybrid work arrangement (2-3 days on-site per week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in Montreal. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and performance.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: Desjardins is the largest cooperative financial group in North America and the sixth largest in the world, with assets of CAD 470.9 billion as of December 31, 2024. It offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, its online platforms, and its subsidiaries across Canada.

Company Size: Desjardins has over 10,000 employees, providing a large and diverse work environment.

Founded: Desjardins was founded in 1900 and is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2025.

Company Description:

  • Desjardins Group is a mutualistic financial cooperative that focuses on being there for its members and clients.
  • It offers a wide range of financial products and services, including banking, insurance, wealth management, and investment services.
  • Desjardins is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, providing a positive workplace for all.

Company Specialties:

  • Services financiers

Company Website: http://www.desjardins.com/fr/bienvenue.jsp

ASSUMPTION: Desjardins' cooperative structure and focus on member and client satisfaction set it apart from other financial institutions.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the mid-career level, requiring significant experience in business development or sales.

Reporting Structure: The business account manager reports directly to the director of the business unit and works closely with other internal teams, such as product specialists and underwriters.

Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with employees expected to work on-site 2-3 days per week and remotely for the remainder of the time.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Progression to senior account manager or team leadership roles
  • Expansion into other business units or lines of business
  • Development of expertise in specific product areas or client segments

ASSUMPTION: Given Desjardins' size and diversity, there are numerous opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Desjardins' Complexe Desjardins office in Montreal is a modern, collaborative workspace with numerous amenities.

Office Location(s): 1 Complexe Desjardins, Montreal, QC H2X

Geographic Context:

  • MontrΓ©al is the second-largest city in Canada and the cultural capital of Quebec.
  • The city offers a high quality of life, with numerous parks, museums, and cultural attractions.
  • MontrΓ©al has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and a hybrid work arrangement (2-3 days on-site per week)

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement provides employees with a good balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Online application submission
  • Phone or video screening interview
  • In-person or virtual behavioral and technical interview
  • Final interview with the hiring manager

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Sales and negotiation abilities
  • Problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • Cultural fit and alignment with Desjardins' values

Application Tips:

  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
  • Prepare examples of your sales and negotiation successes, as well as how you've handled challenging client situations
  • Demonstrate your understanding of Desjardins' products and services and how you can contribute to the organization's success

ATS Keywords: Business development, sales, account management, client relationship management, negotiation, French language skills, Desjardins, financial services

ASSUMPTION: Desjardins uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, so including relevant keywords in your resume can help your application stand out.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365)
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
  • Teleconferencing and video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the business unit and the employee's role within the organization.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Member-centricity
  • Integrity
  • Expertise
  • Innovation
  • Cooperation

Work Style:

  • Collaborative
  • Results-driven
  • Adaptable
  • Customer-focused

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • How do you demonstrate member-centricity in your daily work?
  • Can you provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to help a client or colleague?
  • How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively when working remotely?

ASSUMPTION: Desjardins values employees who are aligned with their cooperative principles and demonstrate a strong work ethic and commitment to member and client satisfaction.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • Managing complex client relationships and high expectations
  • Balancing portfolio profitability with client satisfaction and risk management
  • Adapting to a hybrid work environment and maintaining productivity
  • Keeping up with industry trends and regulatory changes

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong communication skills, effective time management, and a commitment to continuous learning and development.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • Compared to other account manager roles, this position requires a higher level of autonomy and decision-making
  • In the financial services industry, business account managers play a crucial role in driving revenue growth and maintaining client satisfaction
  • Career progression in this role may lead to senior account management or team leadership positions within Desjardins

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other account manager positions, its unique aspects and requirements set it apart within the financial services industry.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Developing and implementing a strategic plan to increase sales in a specific client segment
  • Negotiating a complex agreement with a high-value client to expand their relationship with Desjardins
  • Analyzing client data to identify opportunities for cross-selling and upselling products and services

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and initiatives that business account managers may undertake to drive results and contribute to Desjardins' success.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • How does Desjardins support the professional development of its business account managers?
  • Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the business unit?
  • How does Desjardins foster a culture of innovation and collaboration among its employees?
  • What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
  • How does Desjardins measure the success of its business account managers, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process can help demonstrate your interest in the role and commitment to Desjardins' success.

πŸ“Œ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

  • Submit your application through this link
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
  • Prepare examples of your sales and negotiation successes, as well as how you've handled challenging client situations
  • Demonstrate your understanding of Desjardins' products and services and how you can contribute to the organization's success
  • Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.