Advisor, Growth Strategy, Commercial Lines Division (Direct Insurance)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Advisor, Growth Strategy, Commercial Lines Division (Direct Insurance)

🔹 Company: Desjardins

🔹 Location: Montréal, Lévis, Aurora

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid

🔹 Category: Financial Services, Insurance

🔹 Date Posted: April 16, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site with occasional travel

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing plans and business intelligence to drive growth strategies
• Monitoring business plans and performance to identify improvement opportunities
• Setting targets and designing business strategies aligned with organizational objectives
• Collaborating with stakeholders to execute growth initiatives
• Conducting market research and data-driven assessments to influence growth orientations

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong analytical mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Diagnose issues, challenges, and needs to determine target outcomes

✅ Develop and help implement objectives, solutions, and action plans

✅ Analyze data, conduct studies, make recommendations, and write reports

✅ Support the collaboration of various stakeholders to execute growth initiatives

✅ Conduct targeted market research to identify trends, client needs, and competitive landscape

✅ Contribute to a culture of innovation and testing new ideas to find effective growth solutions

ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic planning, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement, requiring strong problem-solving skills and adaptability.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field

Experience: A minimum of four years of relevant experience in a strategic role

Required Skills:

• Analytical skills
• Interpersonal savvy
• Market research
• Data analysis
• Strategic planning
• Problem-solving
• Project management
• Leadership
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Customer focus
• Business insight
• Nimble learning
• Adaptability
• Stakeholder engagement

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of French (for positions in Quebec)
• Intermediate knowledge of internal Desjardins and DGIG ecosystem
• Intermediate proficiency building board-level strategic presentations
• Intermediate proficiency working with ambiguity

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with relevant experience in strategic roles, leadership experience, and strong analytical skills will be well-suited for this position.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75,000 - $100,000 CAD per year (Based on industry standards for similar roles in Canada)

Benefits:

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

Working Hours: 35-40 hours per week, with flexible work arrangements

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for similar roles in Canada. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and other factors.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Desjardins is the largest cooperative financial group in North America, offering a wide range of financial products and services to individuals and businesses.

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

Founded: Desjardins was founded in 1900 and has since grown to become one of the strongest financial institutions in Canada.

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 committed to welcoming, respecting, and valuing people for who they are as individuals, learning from their differences, embracing their uniqueness, and providing a positive workplace for all.

Company Specialties:

• Services financiers

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

ASSUMPTION: Desjardins' large size and extensive product offerings provide ample opportunities for career growth and development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior, with opportunities for growth and advancement

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Growth team lead within the Direct Commercial Lines Insurance division

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with occasional travel between offices (4-6 times/year)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential advancement to senior roles within the Growth team or other divisions
• Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives
• Access to training and development programs to enhance skills and knowledge

ASSUMPTION: This role offers strong growth potential for candidates looking to advance their careers in a dynamic and innovative environment.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspaces with a mix of open-concept and private offices

Office Location(s): Montréal, Lévis, Aurora

Geographic Context:

• Montréal: A vibrant, multicultural city with a strong financial sector
• Lévis: A city across the river from Quebec City, offering a mix of urban and suburban living
• Aurora: A city in the Greater Toronto Area, with a diverse population and a strong economy

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, with flexible hours and the option to work from home occasionally

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid 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 and team members
• Final interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Analytical skills and problem-solving abilities
• Communication and presentation skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Desjardins' values
• Leadership potential and adaptability

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences
• Prepare examples of your analytical skills and problem-solving abilities
• Research Desjardins and the Direct Commercial Lines Insurance division to demonstrate your interest and understanding of the role

ATS Keywords: Market research, data analysis, strategic planning, problem-solving, stakeholder engagement, innovation, customer focus, business insight, nimble learning, adaptability

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's analytical skills, communication skills, and cultural fit with Desjardins.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, Python)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Presentation tools (e.g., PowerPoint, Prezi)

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data analysis tools is essential for this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Member-centricity
• Integrity
• Expertise
• Innovation
• Teamwork

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and open to change
• Results-driven and focused on continuous improvement

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you demonstrate member-centricity in your daily work?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to significant changes in a project or work environment?
• How do you approach continuous learning and improvement in your role?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Desjardins' values and work style will be well-suited for this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working with ambiguity and uncertainty in a dynamic and evolving environment
• Managing multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Balancing the need for innovation with the requirement to maintain a strong focus on risk management and compliance
• Occasional travel between offices

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with the ability to adapt to change and manage multiple priorities.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Strategic Planning Analyst or a Business Development Manager within the financial services industry.
• However, this role focuses more on growth strategy and market research, rather than day-to-day operations or sales.
• Career progression in this role could lead to senior strategic roles within Desjardins or other financial institutions.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in similar strategic roles within the financial services industry will find this role to be a good fit.

📝 Sample Projects

• Conducting a market analysis to identify growth opportunities for a new product line
• Developing a strategic plan to improve customer satisfaction and retention
• Analyzing competitor data to inform business strategy and positioning

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the types of initiatives the Advisor will work on, focusing on data-driven decision-making and strategic planning.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Growth team?
• How does the Growth team collaborate with other departments and stakeholders within Desjardins?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the Direct Commercial Lines Insurance division, and how does this role contribute to addressing them?
• How does Desjardins support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What is the company's approach to work-life balance and flexible work arrangements?

ASSUMPTION: These questions will help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences, using the ATS keywords provided
• Prepare for the interview by researching Desjardins and the Direct Commercial Lines Insurance division, and practicing your responses to common interview questions
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

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