Director, Planning & Advice - Partner - First West Credit Union

Job Description

We are currently seeking a Director, Planning & Advice to join our team within our Envision Financial region.

The Director, Planning & Advice provides leadership, direction and coaching to the Wealth Advisor & Wealth Planning Specialist teams in the regions emphasizing collaboration in order to ensure maximum sales and service delivery effectiveness across multiple client offers, and to drive growth in business results through the acquisition of new business and deepening of existing member relationships.

Here’s what would be included as a part of your typical day

Leadership : Provides leadership and direction to assigned staff through coaching and mentoring; ensures a high degree of employee engagement and retention;

recruits, determines appropriate orientation / training and ongoing development plans; and evaluates the performance of assigned team.

Fosters a culture that drives action, accountability, and ownership; promotes the achievement of a strong, proactive sales and service culture through motivational leadership and coaching of direct reports in a high performance culture;

and directs effective deployment of personnel to ensure a consistent, high level of service within budgeted guidelines. Utilizes the Day in the Life as a guideline to prioritize and manage schedules - to align efforts in reaching goals while offering a remarkable, consistent member experience across First West.

• Annual Business Plan : Develops and manages the annual business plan for approval by the Divisional President and Head of Wealth Management.
• Ensures business plan, marketing plans and operations align with FW strategic direction and long term critical success factors;

establishes and monitors expectations for assigned team and ensures annual goals and targets are achieved or exceeded; develops and implements solutions to assist team in the execution of annual business plans, operational framework and overall performance and profitability.

Business Development : Manages relationships and partnerships with various lines of business management. Establishes and maintains contact with high profile members, business, and community groups.

May deal directly with members when issues arise, as required.

Risk Management : Ensures risk management processes and procedures are in place and functional to manage fraud, reduce potential losses and meet corporate objectives;

addresses audit issues / concerns and makes recommendations for change, where required; reviews policy and procedure issues and recommends or approves changes and / or exceptions, as required.

Ensures procedures with respect to confidentiality, credit, equipment, safety, and audit / risk management requirements are always adhered to.

Delivering : Produces defined funds under administration growth, net sales growth, gross and net revenue growth, while managing to a defined cost budget to deliver a net positive contribution to FW.

Monitors the progress of sales volumes to business / sales plan monthly. Develops and executes the overall strategy and objectives for wealth product lines (existing and new), supplier arrangements, service delivery, pricing, resource requirements, sales, and service support.

Coaching : As a subject matter expert in mutual funds, planning and advice supports the development of the mutual fund salesforce, Branch Managers and Regional Directors of Retail in their learning and development of providing advice and coaching to advice.

Required Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Commerce or a related discipline required
• Canadian Securities License required
• Financial Planning Designation required (current and in good standing (PFP, CFP))
• 9 years of experience in the financial industry is required
• Expert knowledge of wealth (investment, securities, and personal insurance) products, services, and regulations required
• Advanced knowledge of legislation and regulations related to wealth management required
• Demonstrated leadership attributes and / or experience motivating and coaching a high performances sales team required
• Strong business development expertise and acute business acumen, with the ability to understand issues and responds appropriately to the diverse requirements of a rapidly growing organization
• Proven ability to develop and execute on strategic sales and service plans
• Proven skills in business development and achievement of sales goals and targets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people
• Demonstrated ability to adapt and work in ambiguity
• Displays an understanding of risk and risk ownership by being able to demonstrate adherence to policies and procedures.
• Proficient in computer software programs NaviPlan, Microsoft Office and banking software programs.
• Strong financial planning skills
• Excellent change management skills

About Us

What’s in it for you :

First, we strive to make our team members feel genuinely rewarded. You’ll have :

• Mental health coverage and resources
• Customizable health benefits, as well as topped-up parental leave
• Performance-based compensation, employee banking advantages and group RRSP matching
• Vacation time and flexible work arrangements to support your lifestyle

We are committed to providing a fair, equitable, and competitive rewards package that reflects the value an individual brings to our organization.

The compensation mentioned in this job posting should serve as a guide. The total cash compensation earned may vary based on a variety of factors including bonuses and / or incentives, an individual’s skills and experience, and may correlate with performance in the role.

We also provide and encourage opportunities for our employees to make a meaningful impact. After all, as a credit union we’re powered by giving back in big ways and through small gestures.

That's why we offer employees paid time off to volunteer, partner with thousands of local charities, build long-lasting relationships that help our members get ahead and commit to environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.

By joining our team, you’ll be able to elevate your potential. Wherever your own purpose leads, we’re here to support you with award-winning in-house training programs, access to LinkedIn Learning, and reimbursement for external courses to help you get ahead.

Take the next step in your career as part of our team. Apply for this opportunity using the following link Director, Planning & Advice (Langley Collaboration Centre) - First West Careers Careers!

Candidates, please note : if you are being considered for this role, you will be required to complete a background check, such as employment verification, credit check and criminal record check.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

At First West Credit Union, we embrace diversity regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, race, ethnicity, age, diverse ability, and any aspect that makes someone unique.

Inclusion is woven through our organization, from our employee-led network groups, hiring practices and education programs that address barriers and continually grow our equitable, diverse and inclusive culture.

We encourage people who are from equity-deserving groups to apply for a career with us, including women or non-binary people, persons with diverse abilities, Black, Indigenous Peoples, People of Colour and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If an accommodation would help you during the process of applying or interviewing for a career with us, please let us know how we can assist you, whether it’s preparing materials in an alternate format, booking an accessible meeting room or other arrangement.

Your individuality is welcome here.

About Us

We’re a financial cooperative that does things differently. We provide time-tested advice that helps our members feel optimistic about their future, and we offer comprehensive banking solutions that enable people to confidently reach their goals.

With the financial strength and extended branch network of a large financial institution, we maintain local connections to our communities and take a unique grassroots approach to service.

Our more than 250,000 members and approximately 1,250 employees operate from 45 branches throughout the province of BC, under the Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings and Enderby & District Financial brands.

Visit for more information on First West Credit Union.

Please know we appreciate your interest in us but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.