FP Canada Looking for Vice President, Business Development at Toronto, Ontario, Canada Full Time

THE ORGANIZATION

About FP Canada™

Established in 1995, FP Canada is a national not-for-profit education, certification, and professional oversight organization working in the public interest. FP Canada is dedicated to championing better financial wellness for all Canadians by leading the advancement of professional financial planning across the country. There are about 17,500 CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals and about 1,600 QUALIFIED ASSOCIATE FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals as at March 31, 2023, who are held to FP Canada’s rigorous professional and ethical standards.

At a time when society is facing unprecedented technological disruption in all walks of life, Canadians have a greater need than ever for personalized financial planning advice with a human touch. Our vision – IMAGINE2030 – of the future is one where all Canadians have access to professional financial planning and financial planning is unified, recognized in statute and deemed essential by society. Our Strategic Plan outlines the work we’ll do over the next three years toward achieving that vision.

At a high level, FP Canada sets the strategic direction for professional financial planning in Canada. FP Canada also achieves its mandate through two distinct divisions. The FP Canada Standards Council™ establishes and enforces financial planning standards, sets the certification requirements for professional financial planners and develops and delivers certification exams. The FP Canada Institute™ is dedicated to elevating the practice of financial planning through education and practice support that is affiliated with Canada’s most trusted partner in professional financial planning. Well-suited to a changing, fast-paced world, the Institute offers individuals and industry partners a new, direct, end-to-end learning path that integrates technical and professional skills education in support of QAFP™ certification and CFP® certification.

FP Canada operates in all provinces except Québec; however, through a strategic partnership with Institut québécois de planification financière (IQPF), the only body in Québec authorized to confer financial planning diplomas, FP Canada’s standards are adopted nationally.

In Ontario, FP Canada has been approved by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) as a credentialing body to grant and oversee Financial Planner title use under the Financial Professionals Title Protection Act, 2019. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification and QUALIFIED ASSOCIATE FINANCIAL PLANNER certification have been approved by FSRA for use of the Financial Planner title in Ontario.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Vice President, Business Development, a newly created role, is responsible for developing and implementing business development strategies to support the growth and sustainability of FP Canada. This position is critical to ensuring continued success and growth of FP Canada and helping to achieve FP Canada’s mandate of advancing professional financial planning.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the VP Business Development will be responsible for developing and executing FP Canada’s business development strategy to grow FP Canada’s education, sponsorship and certification revenues. As a member on the Executive Leadership Team, the executive exhibits strong leadership skills to build and strengthen relationships to showcase FP Canada’s value proposition to existing and prospective customers. This position is expected to demonstrate leadership internally by fostering a customer-centric tone and as a strong advocate for FP Canada’s education and certification initiatives.

The incumbent will be responsible for all industry and academic engagement related to business development activities to drive future growth for FP Canada including the continued growth of existing markets and customer relationships, the identification of new markets for current products, identifying opportunities for new and innovative offerings to meet the evolving educational requirements of prospective and existing CFP Professionals and QAFP Professionals, and the expansion into new partnerships and market opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development of and oversee the business development strategy at FP Canada, including implementing the strategy in collaboration with cross-functional teams to contribute to FP Canada’s growth.
• Work collaboratively the Executive Leadership Team team to identify and develop FP Canada’s unique selling propositions and differentiators.
• ·Continue to enhance FP Canada’s market position for our education products and certifications.

Building and Fostering Key Relationships

• Build and develop customer relationships, with corporate and academic partners to support existing commercial business and identify new business opportunities.
• Identify and develop strategic revenue generating partnerships with likeminded organizations aligned with FP Canada’s mandate and purpose.

Leading New Business Growth

• Identify, research and review business development opportunities using industry information to generate prospect leads and develop appropriate engagement strategies.
• Develop the business case to support FP Canada’s development of new products and services or entry into new markets supporting the organization’s mandate of advancing professional financial planning.
• Lead effective proposal development process including strategic guidance on competitive positions, approach, and pricing.
• Negotiate and close business deals to meet forecasted sales targets.

Promoting a Culture of Customer Service Excellence

• Lead a cross functional team to coordinate the onboarding process for corporate clients.
• Manage customer relationships and satisfaction.

Internal Reporting and Communication

• Prepare memos and presentation materials for FP Canada’s CEO and Board of Directors on business development activities.

Developing and fostering of an inclusive and collaborative team culture

• Foster innovation by creating conditions for new ideas and creative solutions to be exchanged.
• Work with the senior leadership team to develop and implement a high-performance culture at FP Canada.

THE CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, experience, skills and attributes:

• Progressively more responsible and accountable strategic executive leadership experience in business development, preferably in banking, financial and insurance sectors
• Well-developed strategic planning skills and ability to execute effectively on complex strategy(ies)
• Ability to operate at the strategic level yet be close enough to the details to be hands on in supporting business development initiatives
• Exceptional leadership/management and interpersonal skills
• Superb oral and written communication, with seasoned presentation skills
• Superior negotiating skills with the ability to establish and nurture productive, win-win relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
• Strong relationship building and vendor management skills combined with a proven ability to close deals to successful completion
• Ability to work collaboratively across all areas within an organization
• Leads by example and builds high-performance teams
• Knowledge of the regulatory and political environment of the financial services industry is an asset
• Experience working with the university/ academic community is an asset

Core Organizational Competencies

• Quality of Work: Consistently produces work with a high degree of excellence, accuracy, and attention to detail. Keeps current of issues and trends.
• Quantity and Output: Meets deadlines, remains focused and manages multiple projects/priorities to deliver results.
• Professionalism: Projects the organization’s values and represents the organization with integrity and passion when dealing with all stakeholders.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Works collaboratively with all internal and external stakeholders, shows empathy, demonstrates respect, treats all with equality and fairness. Acts ethically at all times. Builds strong partnerships.
• Communication Skills (written/oral): Effectively prepares and delivers information, orally and in writing, in a clear, open, and concise manner.
• Critical Thinking: Effectively analyses and evaluates options, considering all implications and consequences of decisions.
• Adaptability: Embraces change. Actively advocates work improvement and efficiency within the organization, its structures, work processes, tasks, and culture.
• Initiative: Proactively sets and holds self-accountable for high standards and goals for self and the organization. Seeks out new challenges and seizes opportunities to learn, develop and grow.
• Leadership: Approachable and highly motivational; naturally fosters productivity and positive morale. Always puts the organization’s needs ahead of personal ego.
• Decision Making: Consistently selects the most effective alternatives that align with organizational objectives.
• Strategic Thinking: Consistently develops objectives and initiatives that align with FP Canada’s strategic vision. Contributes positively to the organization’s strategic direction.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are interested in being considered for this leadership position, please submit your cover letter and current resume to:

Cheryl Lai, Senior Consultant at [email protected] with “FP Canada VP Business Development” in the subject line.

Should you have any questions, please contact:

Cheryl Lai, Senior Consultant [email protected] 416.928.4580

Oksana Krupa, Executive Assistant [email protected] 416.928.4612

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