📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Business Account Manager
🔹 Company: Desjardins
🔹 Location: Desjardins Entreprises Québec (Telecommuting)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Business & Sales
🔹 Date Posted: April 14, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and maintaining business relationships with clients
- Selling business products and services through multiple channels
- Driving sales and business development objectives
- Analyzing client needs and creating custom solutions
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of sales, customer service, and problem-solving skills. It involves both proactive outreach and reactive client management.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Help set sales objectives and develop action plans based on the business plan
✅ Solicit and develop and maintain personal business relationships with clients
✅ Identify and analyze member/client needs; develop custom solutions; prepare integrated service offers; and negotiate terms
✅ Monitor the industry to identify business development opportunities
✅ Take an active role in public relations activities and maintain a presence in the business community
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of proactive sales, reactive client support, and industry monitoring.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field
Experience: A minimum of one year of relevant experience
Required Skills:
- Effective communication skills
- Interpersonal savvy
- Sales and business development skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Customer service skills
Preferred Skills:
- Bilingualism (French and English)
- Industry-specific knowledge
ASSUMPTION: While the role requires a minimum of one year of relevant experience, other combinations of qualifications and relevant experience may be considered.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Business Account Manager role with 0-2 years of experience in the banking sector in Canada, the estimated salary range is CAD 55,000 - CAD 70,000 per year.
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, typically 37.5 hours per week, with flexibility to work outside of standard business hours as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Banking. Desjardins is the largest cooperative financial group in North America and the fifth largest cooperative financial group in the world.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees. As a large organization, Desjardins offers a wide range of career opportunities and benefits.
Founded: 1900. Desjardins has a long history and a strong reputation in the financial industry.
Company Description:
- Desjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in North America and the fifth largest cooperative financial group in the world.
- It offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, online platforms, and subsidiaries across Canada.
- Desjardins is ranked among the world's strongest banks and has some of the highest capital ratios and credit ratings in the industry.
Company Specialties:
Company Website: http://www.desjardins.com/fr/bienvenue.jsp
ASSUMPTION: Desjardins' large size and extensive history in the financial industry provide a stable and secure work environment with ample opportunities for growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Entry to mid-level. This role is suitable for recent graduates or individuals with up to 2 years of relevant experience.
Reporting Structure: The Business Account Manager reports directly to the Sales Manager or equivalent.
Work Arrangement: Remote OK. The role allows for telecommuting, with the option to work from home or a Desjardins office.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Senior Account Manager role with increased responsibilities and compensation
- Transition to a related role within Desjardins, such as Business Development Manager or Product Manager
- Development of leadership and management skills through internal training programs and mentorship opportunities
ASSUMPTION: Desjardins offers a clear career path for high-performing Business Account Managers, with opportunities for advancement and skill development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid. While the role is remote-friendly, Desjardins maintains offices in Lévis, Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal.
Office Location(s): 100, rue des Commandeurs, Lévis, Québec G6V 7N5, CA; 11 King St W, Toronto, ON M5H 4C7, CA; 110 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0T1, CA; 1 Complexe Desjardins, Montreal, QC H2X, CA
Geographic Context:
- Desjardins Entreprises Québec is located in Lévis, a city near Quebec City, with a population of approximately 144,000 people.
- The region offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with easy access to outdoor activities and cultural attractions.
- The cost of living in Lévis is generally lower than in major urban centers like Montreal and Toronto.
Work Schedule: The role follows a standard full-time workweek, with flexibility to work outside of standard business hours as needed to meet client needs.
ASSUMPTION: The remote-friendly work arrangement and flexible work schedule provide a good work-life balance for employees.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the sales team or relevant stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Sales skills and business acumen
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Desjardins' values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant sales, customer service, and problem-solving experiences in your resume
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and your fit with Desjardins' values
- Prepare examples of how you have successfully identified client needs, created custom solutions, and negotiated terms in previous roles
ATS Keywords: Business development, sales, client relationship management, problem-solving, customer service, negotiation, public relations
ASSUMPTION: Desjardins uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, and including relevant keywords in your resume can improve your chances of being selected for an interview.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Salesforce
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
- Teleconferencing and video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is beneficial but not always required, as Desjardins provides training and support to help employees develop the necessary skills.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Membership
- Integrity
- Democracy
- Solidarity
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on achieving sales targets
- Adaptable and responsive to changing client needs
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with Desjardins' values of membership, integrity, democracy, and solidarity?
- Are you comfortable working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment?
- Do you have a proven track record of achieving sales targets and driving business development?
ASSUMPTION: Desjardins places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and alignment with its values, and candidates who demonstrate a strong fit are more likely to be successful in the role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a diverse portfolio of clients with varying needs and expectations
- Balancing sales and customer service responsibilities
- Adapting to a dynamic and competitive market
- Meeting sales targets and business development objectives
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong sales skills, effective communication, and a commitment to client satisfaction.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to an Account Executive role, the Business Account Manager role places a greater emphasis on sales and business development and less on account management and customer support.
- In the banking industry, Business Account Managers typically focus on business clients, while Personal Bankers work with individual consumers.
- Career progression from a Business Account Manager role may include advancement to a Senior Account Manager or Business Development Manager position, with increased responsibilities and compensation.
ASSUMPTION: Understanding the differences between similar roles and the career path for a Business Account Manager can help candidates make informed decisions about their career goals and aspirations.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a targeted sales strategy for a specific industry or client segment
- Conducting a needs analysis for a key client and creating a customized service offer
- Negotiating a complex agreement with a client, balancing their needs with Desjardins' business objectives
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects provide insight into the types of tasks and responsibilities associated with the Business Account Manager role at Desjardins.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical client profile for this role and the most common client needs?
- How does the sales team at Desjardins collaborate and support each other in achieving sales targets?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the sales department at Desjardins?
- How does Desjardins measure and evaluate the performance of its Business Account Managers?
- What is the company culture like at Desjardins, and how does the sales team contribute to that culture?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions can help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the team they would be working with, enabling them to make a more informed decision about their application.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight your sales, customer service, and problem-solving experiences
- Write a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your fit with Desjardins' values
- Prepare examples of how you have successfully identified client needs, created custom solutions, and negotiated terms in previous roles
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
