Head of National Accounts

Sagard Overview

Sagard Holdings ("Sagard") is a multi-strategy alternative asset manager with professionals located in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Since 2016, Sagard has grown exponentially. Assets under management have expanded from US$500M to over US$25B, and Sagard’s team of diverse professionals has grown from 50 to over 300 team members.

Sagard invests across four asset classes: Venture Capital, Private Equity, Private Credit, and Real Estate. Sagard Holdings was founded by Power Corporation of Canada as a complement to its global investment holdings and serves as one of its key strategic priorities with strong, long-term growth objectives.

Sagard’s entrepreneurial DNA is palpable across our entire team and is a platform built by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs. Sagard looks to generate attractive returns by matching investment opportunities with flexible capital solutions and pairing entrepreneurs with teams that have deep industry knowledge. Sagard develops long-term partnerships and empowers the growth of its investments through a unique global network of portfolio companies, limited partners, advisors, and other valued relationships. 

More at https://www.sagard.com/.

Job Overview 

As a member of the Private Wealth Solutions Group, the Head of National Accounts will be responsible for developing and executing the national accounts strategy to support the distribution of Sagard’s products across key private wealth channels, including private banks, independent dealers, and family offices. This includes managing and expanding relationships with key decision-makers and gatekeepers, and regularly promoting Sagard and its product shelf to these individuals, with the goal of driving a more efficient product approval process on their platforms. The Head of National Accounts will also play a key role in ensuring that Sagard’s investment solutions are designed to meet the evolving needs of high-net-worth clients and their advisors, as well as the expectations of the distribution platforms that enable access to our products.

The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of private markets, a demonstrated track record of facilitating product approvals with key distribution partners, and a robust network of relationships across the private wealth ecosystem. They will be expected to provide strategic direction and work collaboratively across internal teams to achieve the firm’s objectives in the private wealth space.

This is a unique opportunity to join a leading alternative asset manager and play a pivotal role in supporting the firm’s private wealth distribution efforts in Canada and abroad.

Your Responsibilities:

• In alignment with Sagard’s vision and strategy, develop and execute Sagard’s approach to national accounts for its private wealth products across all asset classes (e.g., credit, real estate, venture capital and private equity)
• Cultivate and expand relationships with key decision-makers at dealer head offices, establishing an engagement strategy to keep Sagard top of mind with key stakeholders and keep them apprised of recent developments and upcoming product launches
• Drive the platform approval process for new fund launches across all dealers, and leverage key relationships and expertise to expedite a successful outcome
• Collaborate with Sagard’s Investor Relations team to complete the due diligence processes with dealer head offices 
• Liaise with Investment Manager Research (IMR) teams as a Sagard product expert, and facilitate the process to secure inclusion of Sagard funds in the dealer’s discretionary model portfolio
• In collaboration with the Head of Strategy and Operations, establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of our national accounts strategy and tactics, track progress against targets, and report on progress and outcomes to Sagard senior leadership
• Collaborate with the Head of Distribution to provide guidance to internal and external distribution resources (e.g., head office thresholds around advisor demand)
• Collaborate with Group Head and Head of Strategy & Operations, as well as Sagard Investment and Business teams (e.g., Investor Relations, Legal, Finance, Communications) to launch compelling new products (e.g., validate positioning and differentiators, provide input on marketing materials and fund legal documentation to ensure they resonate with head offices)
• Monitor trends and shifts in the private wealth market, including regulatory changes, industry trends, and competitor strategies, to ensure the firm remains competitive and responsive to client needs
• Participate in industry conferences and events to promote the firm, and build industry relationships
• Contribute to the development of a product roadmap that spans multiple channels/partners and leverages the firm’s strategic relationship with Power Corporation of Canada (“PCC”), the PCC ecosystem and other private asset manager partners

Experience Requirements:

• Previous extensive work experience in the Asset Management industry (particularly private or alternative assets)
• Strong familiarity with the inner workings of dealer head offices, including platform approval processes and key stakeholders 
• Extensive technical knowledge of private wealth investment solutions, as well as deep knowledge of the regulatory environment, including KYP and risk ratings
• Strong devotion to operational excellence and track record of execution
• Superior decision-making, strategic influencing, and leadership skills
• Persuasive verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to build credibility and trust with colleagues and clients and communicate ideas effectively
• Highly organized and task-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment
• Strong relationship management skills, internally and externally
• Self-motivated with the ability to make sound decisions with minimal direction
• Expert organizational skills and a strong attention to detail

Qualification Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s (equivalent or higher) degree or relevant experience
• Professional designation (e.g., MBA, CFA) is considered an asset.
• Deep knowledge of the Canadian investment industry and private wealth markets
• Expansive network of gatekeepers, portfolio managers and research analysts at Canadian bank and independent dealer head offices
• 5+ years of experience in a similar role, having interfaced extensively with dealer teams in Canada