Client Transitions Manager

Job DescriptionPlease Note:
You will be working on a flexible hybrid schedule as part of Fidelity’s dynamic working arrangement. Current work authorization for Canada is required for all openings. The work location for this role is 483 Bay Street in Toronto until approximately late 2026, when the work location will change to the new Mississauga office at 3 Robert Speck Parkway.
Business Overview:
Fidelity Canada Institutional™ (FCI) is focused on developing solutions to serve the investment needs of Canadian institutional investors including corporate and public plans, endowments, foundations, and other institutions as well as international investors. Our goal is to deliver original insight, tailored access, and a diverse product lineup. The team is comprised of sales, client management, consultant relations, and products & marketing professionals.
The Client Transitions Manager is responsible for overseeing institutional client transitions across Defined Benefit, Defined Contribution, Corporate, Endowment, Foundation, Sub Fund, and Sub‑Advised accounts. Acting as the primary contact for internal and external stakeholders, the role ensures smooth transitions, account restructuring, and ongoing enhancements.
The successful candidate will lead complex institutional client onboarding and transition initiatives from inception through completion, managing all aspects of implementation, funding, account setup, and transition-related activities. Responsibilities include developing and executing detailed implementation plans, coordinating cross-functional stakeholders, identifying and mitigating risks, and driving initiatives to successful outcomes within established timelines. The role partners closely with Investment Management, Operations, Fund Treasury, Fund Accounting, Legal, Compliance, Product, Technology, Relationship Management, custodians, consultants, record keepers, and transition managers to ensure seamless client implementations and transitions from mandate award through implementation and handoff to ongoing relationship management.
The ideal candidate will possess exceptional implementation, organizational, and stakeholder management skills, with demonstrated experience leading end-to-end institutional client implementations, asset transitions, and onboarding initiatives. This individual will be a proactive, detail-oriented professional with the ability to synthesize complex information, navigate competing priorities, influence stakeholders, and drive accountability across multiple business functions. Success in this role requires the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple complex client onboarding and transition initiatives simultaneously and delivering a high-quality client experience throughout the implementation lifecycle.
Institutional Client Transitions
Lead and manage institutional client onboarding, transitions, mandate implementations, and asset funding events across Defined Benefit, Defined Contribution, Corporate, Endowment, Foundation, Sub-Advised, and other institutional mandates.
Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and stakeholders throughout the transition lifecycle, ensuring a seamless and coordinated onboarding experience.
Develop, maintain, and execute comprehensive internal and client-facing project plans, including timelines, milestones, risk assessments, and communication plans.
Coordinate account setup, investment structures, and operational readiness across Legal, Compliance, Fund Treasury, Fund Accounting, Finance, Client Service, Investment Management, Product, and other business partners.
Facilitate transition meetings, lead discussions, track action items, and drive issue resolution to ensure key deliverables are completed on time.
Liaise with external stakeholders, including clients, custodians, consultants, record keepers, legal counsel, transition managers, and other service providers.
Manage trading and funding logistics associated with client onboarding, including cash movements, settlement coordination, account openings, and implementation activities.
Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, regulatory, and implementation risks throughout the transition process.
Develop and enhance onboarding processes, procedures, and controls to support evolving business and client requirements.
Prepare funding and implementation summaries and coordinate the formal handoff of relationships to Client Managers following successful onboarding.
Account Restructuring & Enhancements
Lead the implementation of account and investment mandate changes, including benchmark changes, portfolio manager changes, asset reallocations, pool restructurings, sub-portfolio changes, account mergers, and account closures.
Create and execute project plans to coordinate implementation activities across multiple business functions, ensuring changes are accurately reflected across investment, operational, accounting, reporting, and investment platforms. This includes partnering with investment teams and stakeholders across Canada, the United States, and Europe to support the successful implementation of client mandates and account changes.
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Ensure client objectives, operational requirements, and regulatory considerations are appropriately addressed throughout the implementation process.
Drive cross-functional discussions and decision-making to achieve successful outcomes within established timelines.
Ongoing Account Maintenance & Client Support
Coordinate the preparation, review, approval, and distribution of monthly, quarterly, and annual compliance certificates and client attestations.
Oversee annual policy mailings, regulatory notifications, and client communications, ensuring completion and appropriate record retention.
Provide backup support for institutional cash flow activity across pooled funds, separate accounts, sub-advised mandates, sub-funds, and record keeper platforms.
Partner with Client Managers and Operations teams to resolve complex servicing issues and support ongoing client requirements.
Monitor operational processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, controls, scalability, and client experience.
Maintain accurate client records, operational documentation, and implementation history.
Salesforce & System Enhancements
Partner with IS to prioritize and implement system enhancements that improve team efficiency.
Represent the team in cross-functional projects, driving change and acting as spokesperson.
Communicate enhancements to institutional teams and stakeholders.
Gather requirements and coordinate training for the Distribution team.
What We Are Looking For
Required Experience & Qualifications
Proven track record of leading end-to-end institutional client onboarding, implementation, and transition projects from mandate award through funding, implementation, and successful handoff to ongoing relationship management.
Demonstrated experience serving as the primary project lead for complex institutional client transitions, coordinating multiple internal and external stakeholders and driving projects to completion.
Hands-on experience managing all phases of the onboarding lifecycle, including account setup, legal and compliance coordination, funding events, operational readiness, trading implementation, stakeholder communications, and post-implementation support.
Minimum 5-7 years of experience within financial services, asset management, institutional investments, client onboarding, transition management, operations, or a related field.
Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline; Canadian Securities Course (CSC) is considered an asset.
Strong understanding of the Canadian institutional investment industry, including pension plans, endowments, foundations, insurance clients, and other institutional investors.
Solid knowledge of institutional investment products, including pooled funds, separate accounts, and alternative investment structures.
Demonstrated project management experience, with the ability to lead multiple concurrent initiatives and prioritize competing deadlines.
Experience working within large, matrixed organizations and navigating multiple stakeholder groups.
Skills & Competencies
Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence outcomes without direct authority.
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage complex projects from inception through completion.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence and credibility to engage senior stakeholders, consultants, custodians, and sophisticated institutional clients.
Ability to synthesize complex information from multiple subject matter experts and make sound recommendations that drive progress and decision-making.
Self-motivated, proactive, and comfortable working independently in a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to delivering a high-quality

Skills
Project Management, Salesforce, Accounting, Onboarding, Documentation