Senior Advisor, Marketing

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Advisor, Marketing

🔹 Company: Desjardins

🔹 Location: Montréal, Quebec, Canada (Telecommuting available)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary (12 months)

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: July 4, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (On-site and remote)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and updating products and services to meet member/client needs
• Analyzing market needs and implementing product and service marketing strategies
• Leading and influencing planning and development projects, feasibility studies, and strategic interventions
• Serving as an expert advisor and subject matter expert for senior management and decision-making bodies
• Representing Desjardins and entering the organization into agreements with external partners and organizations

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of expertise and experience in marketing, with a focus on strategic planning and business development. The temporary nature of the position suggests a project-based or specific initiative-driven need.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead specialized development projects, initiatives, and activities that significantly impact the entire organization

✅ Advise clients and partners to help them position, plan, develop, execute, and monitor strategic marketing projects and initiatives

✅ Develop and update policies, standards, models, and programs to support strategic projects and initiatives

✅ Identify, analyze, diagnose, and address major issues and recommend market development strategies, tactics, and business solutions to decision-making bodies

✅ Represent the unit before senior management committees and decision-making bodies

✅ Represent and negotiate on behalf of Desjardins and enter the organization into agreements with external partners and organizations

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. The responsibilities suggest a focus on strategic initiatives and stakeholder management.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field

Experience: A minimum of eight years of relevant experience

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in communicating in written and oral French
• Advanced proficiency in English, both oral and written
• Interpersonal savvy
• Strong leadership and project management skills
• Expertise in market analysis and strategic planning
• Ability to analyze complex information and make data-driven decisions
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the financial services industry
• Knowledge of Desjardins' products and services
• Familiarity with Desjardins' organizational structure and culture

ASSUMPTION: Given the temporary nature of the position and the high level of responsibility, candidates with extensive experience and a strong background in marketing strategy and business development are likely to be most competitive.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD 100,000 - CAD 140,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for a senior marketing role in Canada)

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 (37.5 hours/week) with flexible work arrangements

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a senior marketing role in Canada. The benefits package is comprehensive and competitive for the financial services industry.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Desjardins is the largest cooperative financial group in North America and the fifth largest cooperative financial group in the world, with assets of CAD 435.8 billion as of March 31, 2024. It operates in the banking and financial services sector.

Company Size: Desjardins has over 10,000 employees, making it a large organization with significant resources and opportunities for career growth.

Founded: Desjardins was founded in 1900 and has since grown to become a major player in the Canadian financial services industry.

Company Description:

• Desjardins Group offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, online platforms, and subsidiaries across Canada.
• It is ranked among the world's strongest banks and has some of the highest capital ratios and credit ratings in the industry.
• Desjardins is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and provides a positive workplace for all.

Company Specialties:

• Services financiers

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

ASSUMPTION: Desjardins' size and extensive reach provide opportunities for career growth and development within the organization. Its commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a supportive work environment for employees.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, requiring a high degree of expertise and experience in marketing strategy and business development.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Advisor, Marketing reports directly to the Vice-President, Marketing and is responsible for leading and influencing planning and development projects, feasibility studies, and strategic interventions involving multiple sectors.

Work Arrangement: This role is hybrid, with a combination of on-site and remote work. The specific work arrangement may be discussed during the interview process.

Growth Opportunities:

• This role provides opportunities to work on complex, highly innovative strategic interventions and influence business development.
• It also offers the chance to serve as an expert advisor and subject matter expert for senior management and decision-making bodies, enhancing leadership and communication skills.
• Given the temporary nature of the position, there may be opportunities for permanent employment upon successful completion of the project.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development, particularly in the areas of strategic planning, leadership, and stakeholder management.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Desjardins has multiple office locations across Canada, with this role based at the Complexe Desjardins in Montréal.

Office Location(s): Montréal, Lévis, Aurora

Geographic Context:

• Montréal is the second-largest city in Canada and the cultural and economic hub of the province of Quebec.
• Lévis is a city located across the St. Lawrence River from Québec City, with a population of approximately 140,000.
• Aurora is a town in the Greater Toronto Area, with a population of around 55,000.

Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is full-time, with flexible work arrangements available. The specific work schedule may be discussed during the interview process.

ASSUMPTION: The location of this role in Montréal provides access to a vibrant cultural scene, diverse neighborhoods, and a robust job market. The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility and a better work-life balance.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
• Final interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Leadership and team management abilities
• Communication and presentation skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Desjardins' values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Be prepared to discuss your experience with market analysis, strategic planning, and stakeholder management.
• Research Desjardins' products and services, as well as its organizational structure and culture, to demonstrate your understanding of the company.

ATS Keywords: Marketing strategy, market analysis, product development, business development, stakeholder management, strategic planning, leadership, communication, problem-solving

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on assessing candidates' strategic thinking, leadership, and communication skills. Demonstrating a strong understanding of Desjardins' business and a clear fit with its values will be crucial for success.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Marketing automation and CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for marketing professionals and can be expected to evolve as the industry changes.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Member focus
• Integrity
• Expertise and innovation
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Accountability

Work Style:

• Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality work
• Collaborative and able to work effectively in a team environment
• Adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a proven track record of success in strategic marketing and business development?
• Are you able to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization?
• Do you have strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and persuade others?

ASSUMPTION: Desjardins values candidates who are member-focused, integrity-driven, and committed to delivering high-quality work. Demonstrating a strong fit with these values and the company's work style will be important for success in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The temporary nature of the position may limit long-term career prospects within the organization.
• The role requires a high degree of autonomy and may involve managing complex, highly innovative strategic interventions, which can be challenging and time-consuming.
• The hybrid work arrangement may present challenges in terms of communication and collaboration with remote team members.
• The role may require travel to other Desjardins offices or client sites, which can be demanding and disruptive to personal schedules.

ASSUMPTION: While this role presents significant opportunities for professional growth and development, it also comes with potential challenges that candidates should be prepared to address.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Senior Marketing Manager or Marketing Director position, but with a greater emphasis on strategic planning and business development.
• It is also similar to a Marketing Consultant role, but with a more permanent and integrated position within the organization.
• Career progression from this role could lead to a Vice-President or Director-level position within the marketing department or a related field.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic planning, leadership, and stakeholder management responsibilities, making it distinct from other marketing roles in the industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a new product launch
• Conducting a market analysis to identify opportunities for business growth and expansion
• Leading a cross-functional team to develop and execute a strategic marketing campaign for an existing product or service

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of initiatives that a Senior Advisor, Marketing might be expected to undertake in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the most challenging strategic marketing project you've worked on and how you approached it?
• How does this role fit into the overall organizational structure and strategic goals of Desjardins?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does Desjardins support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What is the work-life balance like for employees in this role?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the organization, and the opportunities for professional growth and development.

📌 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 for the interview by researching Desjardins' products and services, as well as its organizational structure and culture.
• Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of 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.