Director, Product Strategy and Research

Mackenzie Financial Corporation•Toronto, ON

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

An exceptional and strategic opportunity exists for a Director to join the Product Strategy, Research & Oversight (PSRO) Team, the strategic hub for Mackenzie Investments’ product shelf. Our team’s mission is to be the engine that makes and informs the hard choices that will drive the firm's growth, ensuring our product lineup is profitable, high-quality, aligned with market opportunities and most importantly, focused on meeting the needs of investors and advisors. As a Director, you will be a leader on the team and the mind behind much of our most complex and impactful work. You are a seasoned strategic thinker, who will be responsible for owning our research agenda and serving as an advanced individual contributor on high-priority strategic questions. While not a direct people manager, you will be a recognized mentor and an indirect leader, directing the work of other team members and elevating the team’s capabilities through your deep expertise and influence. Reporting to the VP, Product Strategy, Research and Oversight, this is a leadership role for an individual who can navigate ambiguity, shape the firm's strategic direction, and serve as a trusted advisor to the VP.

Requirements

An undergraduate degree in Business, Economics, Finance, or a related field is required.
7-10+ years of progressive experience in a strategy function within asset management, management consulting (with a focus on financial services), or corporate development.
Proven ability to synthesize detailed quantitative analysis with nuanced qualitative insights and logical frameworks to support complex, high-stakes decision-making.
Proven ability to move from abstract analysis to concrete, commercially-driven strategic recommendations that have created tangible business value. You have experience bringing the client perspective to strategic thinking.
Deep, nuanced understanding of capital markets, investment theory, and the asset management landscape. You are seen as a subject matter expert.
Exceptional ability to synthesize complex information into crisp, compelling narratives for an executive-level audience. You have poise, judgment, and gravitas.
You have a track record of leading through influence, mentoring colleagues, and elevating the capabilities of those around you without formal reporting lines.
You are a proven analytical and strategic leader known for your intellectual horsepower and ability to solve ambiguous, complex problems.
You are skilled at influencing senior stakeholders and have a track record of building strong, collaborative relationships.
You are a developer of people, with a natural inclination to coach, mentor, and multiply your impact through others.
You are accountable and results-oriented, with an entrepreneurial spirit and a bias for action.
You are a collegial and highly respected team member who embodies the firm's values of integrity and client-centricity.

Nice To Haves

An MBA or other advanced degree is highly desirable.
CFA designation is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Own the Thematic Research Agenda: In partnership with the VP, set and own the firm’s thematic research agenda, identifying the key long-term trends and disruptive forces that will shape our future "where to play" and "how to win" investment theses.
Drive Product Lifecyle Optimization: Lead the design and execution of a proactive product lifecycle framework and a formal “Product Intervention” playbook. Drive strategic interventions, including mandate modernizations and structural pivots, to ensure the product shelf remains highly competitive and continues to meet the needs of investors and advisors.
Lead Strategic Analyses: Personally lead the most complex strategic projects, from assessing new market entry strategies to evaluating new sources of revenue or value-add services.
Drive Strategic Recommendations: Drive the development of business cases and strategic frameworks that define attractive market spaces for the firm. While our team defines the strategic direction, you will partner closely with Product Innovation & Development to inform the development of specific solutions.
Champion a Culture of Differentiation: Drive a continuous focus on identifying and leveraging Mackenzie's unique capabilities, ensuring our strategic choices amplify our competitive advantages.
Innovate Analytical Frameworks: Design and institutionalize new analytical models and frameworks to elevate the quality, consistency, and intellectual rigor of the team's strategic evaluations.
Serve as a Senior Advisor: Act as a thought partner to the VP and other senior leaders, translating complex research into clear, concise, and actionable strategic counsel.
Collaborate across the PSRO Team: Partner seamlessly with Governance & Oversight and Technology, Data Infrastructure & Reporting colleagues to produce high-quality, synthesized recommendations.
Mentor & Develop Talent: As a subject matter expert, mentor and develop other team members. You will be responsible for guiding their work, providing expert feedback, and elevating the team's overall capabilities through your influence.
Lead Senior Stakeholder Engagement: Own and manage relationships with senior partners in Product Innovation & Development, Sales, and Marketing, ensuring the PSRO Team's work is deeply integrated across the firm.
Represent the PSRO Function: Represent the team's perspective and insights in senior-level forums and on critical cross-functional working groups.