Associate, Financial Services Group

About the Role

Join a dynamic and engaging team that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and growth. The Associate role within our Financial Services Group is an exciting, transformative opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects for leading financial services organizations. If you’re passionate about problem-solving, collaboration, and delivering practical solutions in a fast‑paced consulting environment, this role is for you.

About Us

Optimus SBR is a leading management consulting firm and award‑winning workplace where we help organizations get done what isn’t.

Our team of committed consultants takes swift action to deliver innovative, impactful results. As the largest independently owned Canadian management consulting firm, we are a place where people and culture come first. Our success is driven by attracting individuals who are insatiably Curious, Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Authentic, and Bold.

Our Awards and Recognitions:

• Best Workplaces in Canada National List 2026
• Best Workplaces with the Most Trusted Executive Team 2026
• Best Workplaces for Young Talent 2026
• Best Workplaces for Women 2026
• Best Workplaces in Professional Services 2025
• Globe and Mail – Canada's Top Growing Companies 2025
• Waterstone Human Capital – Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures 2025

Culture is Everything. Period.

That’s why we’ve been consistently rated one of the best places to work in North America - and are one of the fastest growing. As a firm that was built on culture, we value our people and their growth. Each of us embody the entrepreneurial spirit and have something unique to contribute to the fabric of our organization. From employee‑championed committees to celebratory events and learning paths, these are just a few of the ways we cultivate a positive and engaging work environment.

What’s in It for You?

• Growth Opportunities : Build your career through challenging, impactful projects and continuous learning.
• Diverse Workplace : Collaborate with a team of professionals from unique backgrounds, fostering innovation.
• Flexibility and Autonomy : Enjoy the freedom to take ownership of your work and drive meaningful results.
• Leadership Development : Develop your skills through mentorship and career progression opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Support consulting engagements for financial services clients across banking, capital markets, insurance, payments, wealth management, and related sectors.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify business challenges, evaluate opportunities, and support evidence‑based recommendations.
• Gather and document business, functional, and process requirements through interviews, workshops, research, and stakeholder consultations.
• Analyze current‑state operations, customer journeys, processes, controls, and performance data to identify gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Assist in designing future‑state processes, operating models, implementation plans, and practical solutions aligned with client objectives.
• Develop clear, concise, and visually effective presentations, reports, process maps, financial models, and other client deliverables.
• Support project planning, status reporting, risk and issue management, meeting coordination, and the tracking of decisions and action items.
• Collaborate effectively with client stakeholders and Optimus SBR team members at all levels of the organization.
• Participate in client meetings and workshops, capturing key findings and communicating ideas with professionalism and confidence.
• Conduct industry, market, regulatory, and competitive research relevant to the financial services sector.
• Support business development activities, including proposal development, research, and the preparation of client‑facing materials.
• Manage assigned work independently, meet project deadlines, and proactively communicate progress, risks, and required support.
• Contribute to internal initiatives, knowledge development, and continuous improvement across the Financial Services Group.
• Contribute to the life and culture of Optimus SBR.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of relevant experience in management consulting, financial services, business analysis, project delivery, operations, strategy, transformation, or a related field.
• Understanding of the financial services industry, including banking, insurance, capital markets, payments, wealth management, or financial operations.
• Strong analytical and structured problem‑solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into practical insights.
• Experience conducting research, analyzing data, documenting requirements, or assessing business processes.
• Ability to develop professional presentations, reports, spreadsheets, and other client‑ready deliverables.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with team members and client stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrated initiative, intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to learn.
• Collaborative and team‑oriented approach, with the confidence to contribute ideas and respectfully challenge assumptions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience with data analysis, process mapping, project management, visualization, or collaboration tools is considered an asset.
• Ability to demonstrate the bold, entrepreneurial, hard‑working, and client‑focused behaviours that support Optimus SBR’s culture.

Required Education: Related University Degree

Preferred Education: Post‑Graduate degree, MBA, CPA, CFA or other relevant designations; or equivalent experience

Interview recording & AI notetakers

During the interview process, we may use transcription or AI notetaking tools. To protect privacy, legal compliance, and interviewer/candidate experience, the use of these tools is not permitted without your prior consent. We will ask for your consent and if you wish to decline, handwritten notes are welcome.

Compensation

Salary range is $82,500-$90,000 CAD.

Salary ranges are designed to be competitive. Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, and experience and is subject to negotiation and subject to the candidate meeting the specific requirements or the role. Exceptional candidates may be considered above the top of the range, and pay can increase quickly for those who make a big impact in the role.

Benefits

Financial

• Annual Bonus
• Retirement savings through our Group RRSP program
• Company equity for Managers and above
• Maternity and Parental Leave with top up compensation

Flexibility

• Work in a Hybrid model (when client projects permit)
• 12 Optimus Days paid

Health

• Top-tier health benefits
• Life & disability insurance
• Health Spending Dollars

Accommodation

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to everyone. If you require any accommodations to remove barriers and fully participate in the interview process—such as accessible meeting rooms or captioning for virtual interviews—please let us know. Your needs will be met with respect and confidentiality. We look forward to connecting with you!