Application Deadline:
07/26/2025
Address:
100 King Street West
Overview:
The Senior Associate, Product Research & Strategy, will be responsible for the research, analysis, and communication of trends and product development activity within the investment industry and to assist with recommendations and proposals of product activity for BMO GAM. Specifically, the Senior Associate will cover ETFs and mutual funds, where they are expected to become an expert on industry, competitor and fund flows and developments within the category. To this extent, the Senior Associate will build and communicate these insights to other stakeholders at BMO GAM. Additionally, the Associate will be a key input into how BMO GAM can launch innovative products that fit client needs across different distribution channels. The Senior Associate will work closely with his colleagues and the Director, Product Research & Strategy, in delivering this work.
The preferred candidate will be a knowledgeable, curious, and motivated team player with proven success in an existing product research, management, development or marketing role.
Key Responsibilities
Industry and Competitive Research
The Senior Associate will be responsible for in-depth research of ETFs and mutual funds. While there may be times when their focus is on a specific product category over others, they are expected to up to date on the general trends of the other product category.
The Senior Associate is responsible for conducting and communicating the analysis of trends and happenings within their product category, from an overall industry, asset class, CIFSC category, competitor and fund level. Examples of trends would include, but are not limited to, flows, product development activity (launches, mergers, price cuts, etc.) and performance.
Additionally, the incorporation of capital market happenings, investor sentiment and current and future economic environment is required when identifying and explaining trends.
The Senior Associate will be required to understand the value proposition of BMO GAM products (see Internal Product Experts below), dovetailing this to the trends in the market and where our product stands in relation to the competition.
The Senior Associate will understand non-trend data within the industry and competition, including having a broad understanding of pricing, performance and product features.
The Senior Associate will be required to perform ad-hoc research into specific competitors, products or themes.
Communication of Analysis
The Senior Associate must be able to synthesize this analysis and communicate their findings to other BMO GAM stakeholders.
The Senior Associate will demonstrate what categories, firms and funds are gaining or losing market share, and why.
Communication will primarily be performed through PowerPoint presentations, utilizing Microsoft Excel and Tableau for their analysis and visualization.
The Associate may be required to present their work.
Development of Product Innovation
Given the Senior Associate’s industry and competitive analysis, they will provide an opinion on the direction of future trends and how BMO GAM can help capture market share. This includes the recommendation of new products that can be launched or focusing on an existing BMO GAM product that fits the existing and expected demand.
The Senior Associate will take into consideration the unique product needs of each distribution channel (retail, intermediary, institutional) used by BMO GAM to sell product.
The Senior Associate will provide recommendations for the product features, including, but not limited to, the type of structure, the price point, CIFSC category, distribution policy, etc. These recommendations must be made with awareness of the product features of BMO’s existing product lineup.
The Senior Associate will work with other stakeholders, including Distribution and Portfolio Management, to design new products based on ideas that are received from them.
Other Work
The Senior Associate will help organize, maintain and recommend a focus list of ETFs and mutual funds that prescribe certain levels of marketing support.
The Senior Associate may be asked to provide custom pricing on certain products based on needs from other stakeholders.
Internal Product Experts
The Senior Associate will be responsible for being an internal product expert on the BMO GAM products that they are assigned.
They are required to understand the value proposition, key product features and KPIs for all BMO ETFs and mutual funds.
The Senior Associate will be required to communicate these product features and value proposition relative to other BMO GAM products and competitor products.
Knowledge and Experience
University degree, ideally in finance, management, accounting, or statistics.
A CFA designation or MBA is strongly preferred.
5-7 years minimum experience in a product or sales function with an asset manager.
7+ years in investment industry experience.
Good understanding of investment fund industry, including who the main competitors are within the mutual fund and ETF space, including what drives their competitive positioning.
Understanding of the sales cycle for both ETF and mutual funds within different sales channels, including the behavioural and product feature (asset class, price, performance, etc.,) drivers of product adoption
Skills:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to distill complex trends into high level takeaways.
Strong critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent Excel skills, with experience managing large data sets and conducting analysis
Excellent PowerPoint skills, with experience building well formatted presentations that has the right balance of detail, that effectively communicates important data points and key takeaways.
Curious
Strong work ethic
Strong team orientation, with the ability to receive constructive feedback and guidance
Strong presentation skills, wit the ability to be comfortable presenting analysis and takeaways in front of other team members or other stakeholders at BMO GAM.
Strong prioritization, time management and multi-tasking skills
High commitment to personal ethics and professionalism.
Grade:
7
Job Category:
Individual Contributor / Collaborateur
Salary:
$95,200.00 - $176,400.00
Pay Type:
Salaried
The salary range provided reflects BMO Financial group’s compensation range for the grade band associated with this position.
Salary placement within the range outlined above is role-based and will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. These ranges were determined by a market-based compensation approach; we used data from trusted third-party compensation sources to set consistent, and competitive ranges. We regularly evaluate compensation, identify any changes in the market and adjust our ranges and existing employee compensation as needed.
Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position.
BMO’s comprehensive total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards
About Us
At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world.
As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset.
BMO is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. By learning from each other’s differences, we gain strength through our people and our perspectives. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please contact your recruiter.
