Managing Director - Financial Services, Private Capital

The opportunity

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers') is a global investor with net assets of ~$279 billion as of December 31, 2025. Ontario Teachers’ is a fully funded defined benefit pension plan, and it invests in a broad array of asset classes to deliver retirement security for 346,000 working members and pensioners. Our Private Capital group deploys ~$60 billion across direct private equity investments and private equity funds globally.

The Managing Director will lead investments end-to-end — from origination through exit — sponsor transactions at Underwriting Committee, take active board roles at portfolio companies, and help build and develop the Financial Services investment team. This is a senior seat for a candidate with a proven private equity track record and deep Financial Services expertise.

Who you'll work with

Reporting to the Senior Managing Director, the role will be part of a deal team comprising analysts, associates, principals, directors, and managing directors, supported by third-party consultants, operating executives, and legal and accounting advisors dedicated to each transaction.

The Financial Services team invests across sub-sectors including Insurance, Wealth & Asset Management, Lending, Professional Services, and Cards & Payments, with particular need to understand the regulatory, AI, and digitization themes reshaping the sector. The role will also potentially partner with colleagues in OTPP's global offices on international investment and / or cross asset class opportunities in Financial Services.

What you'll do

• Lead deal teams end-to-end, from origination through close and through the life of the investment; serve as the named sponsor at Underwriting Committee and author Underwriting Committee papers.

• Own deal execution with limited oversight — including pricing, structuring, financing, and final commercial and legal negotiating positions.

• Take active board leadership roles at portfolio companies; drive value creation agendas with management and sponsor follow-on capital, M&A, and exit decisions.

• Originate proprietary deal flow through personal networks with CEOs, operating executives, sponsors, bankers, and advisors; represent OTPP Financial Services externally.

• Set coverage priorities and investment theses for one or more sub-sectors; partner with the SMDs on team strategy and sector positioning.

• Build, lead, and develop the Financial Services investment team; partner with the SMDs on hiring, performance management, and succession. Hold the team accountable for quality of judgment, execution discipline, and alignment with OTPP's mission, vision, and values.

• Work in a highly collaborative manner, bringing a complex network of stakeholders along (Global and Sector SMDs, deal teams, Portfolio Solutions / Value Creation, international office leaders, portfolio companies). Strike the appropriate balance of being a confident decision-maker and an inclusive leader.

• Define value creation playbooks across the Financial Services portfolio and hold portfolio company management accountable for delivery.

• Exercise independent judgment on deal execution within approved mandates; serve as the named sponsor at Underwriting Committee and hold board-level decision authority at portfolio companies.

• Provide disciplined thinking, sound judgment, and courage of conviction, with a willingness to take balanced, thesis-driven risk. This includes stepping in and intervening directly and effectively when required.

What you'll need

• ~15+ years of meaningful work experience with a substantial track record of private equity deal leadership. Supplementary experience in management consulting, investment banking, and/or corporate M&A (preferably corporate development or similar) considered in combination with PE tenure.

• Track record sponsoring deals at Underwriting / Investment Committee and delivering committed returns across a full investment cycle, including conducting and leading multiple diligence streams (financial, operational, legal, tax, insurance), arranging debt financing, and negotiating documentation.

• Direct investment track record in Financial Services required; insurance, wealth, or payments expertise particularly valued.

• Deep knowledge of Financial Services sector dynamics — particularly Insurance, Wealth & Asset Management, Lending, Professional Services, and Cards & Payments — and the emerging regulatory, AI, and digitization themes reshaping them.

• Active “for profit” board director experience, including committee leadership.

• Strong academic background, with a financial designation (MBA, CFA, CBV, or CA strongly preferred).

• Demonstrated leadership across the full investment process, including sourcing, due diligence, debt financing, negotiation, and exit.

• Strong negotiating skills, with ability to lead commercial terms in acquisitions, mergers, and financings.

• Ability to balance priorities, work independently, lead teams, and thrive in a high-performance environment.

• Very strong analytical and quantitative skills to perform and guide in-depth, innovative, critical analysis.

• Deep understanding of fundamental investment analysis and private equity value creation.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build constructive relationships with internal and external parties, particularly management teams, boards, and senior advisors.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, including IC paper authorship and presentation.

• Willingness and ability to travel across North America and globally.

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What we’re offering

• Numerous opportunities for professional growth and development

• Comprehensive employer paid benefits coverage

• Retirement income through a defined benefit pension plan

• The opportunity to invest back into the fund through our Deferred Incentive Program

• A flexible work environment combining in office collaboration and remote working

• Competitive time off

• Our Flexible Travel Program gives you the option to work abroad in another region/country for up to a month each year

• Employee discount programs including Edvantage and Perkopolis

At Ontario Teachers', diversity is one of our core strengths. We take pride in ensuring that the people we hire and the culture we create, reflect and embrace diversity of thought, background and experience. Through our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy and our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), we celebrate diversity and foster inclusion through events for colleagues to connect for professional development, networking & mentoring.  We are building an inclusive and equitable workplace where our talent is respected, accepted and empowered to be themselves.  To learn more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, check out Life at Teachers'.

How to apply

Are you ready to pursue new challenges and take your career to the next level? Apply today! You may be invited to complete a pre-recorded digital interview as part of your application.

Accommodations are available upon request ([email protected]) for candidates with a disability taking part in the recruitment process and once hired.

Candidates must be legally entitled to work in the country where this role is located.

Ontario Teachers’ may use AI-based tools to assist in screening and assessing applicants for this position. These tools may help us identify candidates whose skills and experience align with Ontario Teachers’ objectives by analyzing information provided in resumes and applications. Our use of AI does not replace human decision-making.

To learn more about how Teachers’ uses AI with your personal information, please visit our Privacy Centre. 

Functional Areas:

Investments

Vacancy:

Current

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