Senior Platform Manager - UMA

Key Objectives:
In this role, you will be a key part of the Investment Products & Platforms team. You will work closely with business leaders, internal team, such as compliance, operations and technology, as well as our advisors and external partners to design, develop and implement strategies which will lead to the efficiency, scalability and growth of the dealer’s Elite UMA platform. You will also lead the day-to-day operations of the Elite UMA program, with the support of a cross-functional team.

Increased advisor adoption of the Elite UMA platform is a strategic priority of the dealer. The Senior Platform Manager, UMA reports into VP, Investment Products & Platforms.

Primary Roles & Responsibilities:

Strategy Design:

• Work with leadership to develop and maintain a long-term vision and roadmap for the Elite UMA platform. Develop objectives and goals to drive growth, enhance platform profitability, and ensure advisor and client satisfaction.

• Define a platform roadmap outlining short, mid, and long-term milestones to work towards specific and measurable corporate goals.

• Develop change management process related to the investment, operation, pricing and operational elements of the platform. 

• Maintain an understanding of the current UMA/SMA competitive landscape, trends and relative strengths and weaknesses of the Elite UMA

Strategy Execution:

• Implement strategy and focus on developing frameworks that will ensure durability and scalability of processes.

• Assess potential features and enhancements based on advisor feedback, business value, and technical feasibility.

• Be proactive in assisting sales and practice management in driving UMA platform growth and awareness by developing tools that can help improve the adoption process.

• Identify opportunities for operational improvements, cost savings, and service enhancements within the platform. Drive the adoption and implementation of best practices, tools, and technologies that support platform efficiency and scalability.

• Optimize end-to-end workflows for the Investment Products & Platforms team and other functional teams that support UMA

Day-to-day Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the UMA platform, including coordination among various departments such as the Investment Products & Platforms team as well as the dealer’s practice management, compliance, operations and technology groups.

• Continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the platform, and implement necessary  adjustments to optimize its performance.

• Ensure daily field support activities meet SLAs and ensure partners are meeting SLAs.

• Ensure processes and documentation result in strong audit-readiness

• Manage ongoing support content, including webinars, factsheets, advisor guides, and user manuals to ensure they are up-to-date, accurate, and consistent in quality and frequency.

• Track and analyze platform metrics, including adoption, retention, profitability, and advisor satisfaction, and making data-driven decisions to improve the platform.

• Gather and prioritize advisor requirements and feedback to ensure the product is meeting their needs and expectations.

Sales & Adoption

• Ensure program growth meets annual AUM targets

• Collaborate with UMA sales teams to align on program positioning, new features to be promoted and target segments.

• Ensure program is well supported with appropriate marketing and sales collateral.

• Take a lead role in planning and presenting UMA breakout sessions at iA Private Wealth advisor conferences and road shows.

• Establish and maintain strong advisor relationships, in particular with Elite UMA advisors and advisor focus groups

Qualifications:

• Extensive product or program management experience and a keen understanding of the Canadian wealth management industry.

• The aptitude and ability to deal with issues at a high strategy level as well as at a detailed, ‘hands-on’, production level.

• Excellent verbal, written communication skills.

• Strong analytical/ problem-solving skills and an ability to provide clear and concise direction in a positive and effective manner.

• Demonstrated leadership skills with superior ability to make things happen through the use of impact and influence.

• Minimum 10 years industry experience; preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated success in working collaboratively with others, coaching and providing guidance on initiatives.

• The ability to work both as part of a team and independently to complete tasks, including working over and above a regular workday as required.