Lead Product Manager

Join a Challenger

Being a traditional bank just isn’t our thing. We are big believers in innovating the banking experience because we believe Canadians deserve better options, and we challenge ourselves and our teams to creatively transform what’s possible in banking. Our team is made up of inquisitive and agile minds that find smarter ways of doing things. If you’re not afraid of taking on big challenges and redefining the future, you belong with us. You’ll get to work with people who will encourage you to reach new heights. We like to keep things fun, ask questions and learn together.

We are a big (and growing!) family. Overall we serve more than 670,000 people across Canada through Equitable Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank™, and have been around for more than 50 years. Equitable Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary, Concentra Bank, supports credit unions across Canada that serve more than six million members. Together we have over $125 billion in combined assets under management and administration, with a clear mandate to drive change in Canadian banking to enrich people's lives. Our customers have named our EQ Bank digital platform (eqbank.ca) one of the top banks in Canada on the Forbes World's Best Banks list since 2021. 

Purpose of Job

Reporting to the Group Product Manager, Digital Banking, the Lead Product Manager will take full ownership of the strategy, vision, and execution of our Core Banking platform. This role requires independent leadership in shaping product direction, driving cross-functional alignment, and delivering innovative solutions that support business growth and exceptional customer experiences. The Lead Product Manager will mentor and influence teams across Product, Engineering, and Design to execute high-impact initiatives aligned with the bank’s strategic objectives.

• Own and Drive Product Strategy: Define and execute the strategic vision and roadmap for Core banking products, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer needs.
• End-to-End Product Ownership: Lead the entire product lifecycle—from discovery to delivery and optimization—ensuring measurable business outcomes.
• Strategic Influence: Collaborate with senior leadership to prioritize initiatives that drive customer engagement, deposit growth, and operational efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Serve as the key decision-maker for product initiatives, leading alignment between Engineering, Design, Operations, Compliance, and Marketing.
• Market Leadership: Identify market opportunities through competitive analysis, customer feedback, and industry trends to inform product innovation.
• Advanced Product Roadmapping: Develop and maintain a strategic, theme-based product roadmap that balances near-term deliverables with long-term vision.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverage data and customer insights to make informed product decisions and measure product success.
• Stakeholder Influence: Effectively influence senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams without direct authority to gain buy-in for product initiatives.
• Mentorship (Without Direct Reports): Act as a thought leader and mentor within the product team, guiding Product Managers in best practices and strategic thinking.

• Education: Post-Secondary Degree in Commerce, Management, Economics, Finance, Engineering, Computer Science, etc.
• MBA or other graduate degree a plus
• 8+ years of Financial Institution experience leading core banking platform (or equivalent experience) in a role such as Application Manager, Channel Manager, and Product Manager
• Experience with core banking systems, deposits/payments/account management/onboarding,
• Familiar with Canadian Banking products High-interest savings account/registered products/ GICs/ Payment solutions (AFT/eTransfer/Bill payments)
• Preferred experience with financial processes like reconciliation, transaction processing
• Preferred experience with CRA tax slips for all registered and non-registered products
• Preferred experience with FATCA/CRA requirements, CDIC FID extracts and premium reporting, KYC processes
• Having great understanding of APIs and integration between backend and frontend
• Having basic understanding of cybersecurity principles
• Payments and fintech knowledge (New payment infrastructure like RTR/Interac Instant)
• Experience in working closely with technology teams in all aspects of SDLC (requirements, development, testing), including vendor teams
• Understanding of workplace collaboration tools to achieve efficiency
• Proven track record of delivering customer-facing service enhancements on a large scale
• Familiarity with user experience & design principles, specifically for digital interactions
• Strong attention to detail
• Proven ability to initiate and execute projects
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Project management experience
• Previous work experience with significant accountabilities relating but not limited to:
• Product management and product development
• Leading IT and business teams
• Influencing senior executive decisions
• Enthusiastic, thorough, inclusive and results-oriented; ability and desire to help others thrive in a dynamic team-oriented environment
• Deep passion in first class customer experiences, innovation and delivering software
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to communicate on a broad spectrum (from deep technical discussions to high level executive vision)
• Work experience in facilitation and fact-based problem solving to resolve complex issues and drive actionable outcomes
• Experience in a technology company or top-tier technology consulting firm

What we offer [For full-time permanent roles]

💰 Competitive discretionary bonus 

✨ Market leading RRSP match program

🩺  Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits

📝  Employee Share Purchase Plan

👶🏽 Maternity/Parental top-up while you care for your little one

🏝 Generous vacation policy and personal days 

🖥  Virtual events to connect with your fellow colleagues

🎓  Annual professional development allowance and a comprehensive Career Development program

💛  A fulfilling opportunity to join one of the top FinTechs and help create a new kind of banking experience

The incumbent will be working hybrid and in office time will be spent working from Equitable Bank’s additional office space located at 351 King Street East, Toronto, ON.

Equitable Bank is deeply committed to inclusion. Our organization is stronger and our employees thrive when we honour and celebrate everyone’s diverse experiences and perspectives. In tandem with that commitment, we support and encourage our staff to grow not just in their career path, but personally as well. 

We commit to providing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment for all applicants. Please let us know of any accommodations needed so that you can bring your best self to the application process and beyond. All candidates considered for hire must successfully pass a criminal background check and credit check to qualify for hire. While we appreciate your interest in applying, an Equitable recruiter will only contact leading candidates whose skills and qualifications closely match the requirements of the position.

We can’t wait to get to know you!