Associate Partner

Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Aeternus seeks an Associate Partner to build trusted client relationships and lead sophisticated planning engagements in insurance, tax, estate, and succession planning.

You will originate new business, manage a portfolio of complex engagements, and collaborate with internal specialists and external advisors to deliver integrated planning solutions that align with a planning-led approach.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted client relationships across insurance, tax, estate, and succession planning.
• Lead lifecycle of client engagements from discovery to implementation and ongoing stewardship.
• Coordinate internal specialists and external advisors to deliver integrated planning.
• Oversee insurance placement, documentation, renewals, and client service with a high standard of quality.
• Conduct regular client reviews to identify evolving risks, opportunities, and planning considerations.
• Build and manage a pipeline of qualified opportunities by leveraging existing relationships while developing new connections.
• Identify prospective clients and advisor relationships that align with the firms planning-led approach.
• Lead discovery and strategy discussions that uncover complex planning needs and position the firm as a trusted advisory partner.
• Advance opportunities through the firm's business development process, coordinating stakeholders to convert qualified opportunities into engagements.
• Contribute to the continued growth of the practice by consistently originating new business and expanding client relationships.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and ongoing feedback to team members, fostering accountability and collaboration.
• Contribute to firm-wide initiatives while supporting the implementation of strategic priorities and organizational decisions.
• Partner effectively with colleagues across disciplines to deliver integrated client solutions and share knowledge.
• Model professionalism, ownership, and a collaborative approach that supports the firms culture and long-term growth objectives.

Job description

Aeternus is an institution-grade insurance firm that supports both clients and the advisors who serve them.

Aeternus was founded by John Durland following a distinguished 30-year career as a Chartered Professional Accountant specialising in tax, estate planning, and international taxation for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families. John has held senior national leadership positions within a major Canadian public accounting firm and recognised an opportunity to bring institutional-grade tax and estate planning expertise to the life insurance industry through a more integrated and client‑centric advisory model.

Following the consolidation of several established insurance businesses, Aeternus completed a significant transformation in 2025 with the launch of its partnership model.

They help individuals, families, business owners, accountants, insurance advisors, and brokerages navigate complex insurance, estate, succession, and wealth planning opportunities through a unique dual‑platform model designed to deliver enterprise-level expertise without enterprise-level overhead.

Their platform is built around two interconnected paths:

MGA Insurance Support Services

For advisors who want to build and operate their own insurance practice, Aeternus provides the infrastructure and specialized support required to deliver insurance solutions with confidence. Through underwriting support, actuarial and insurance modelling, financing solutions, compliance guidance, and licensing support, advisors can expand their capabilities while maintaining ownership of their client relationships and revenue.

Aeternus Partners

For more sophisticated planning opportunities, advisors can access The Partnership — their advanced planning platform for complex insurance, estate, and succession strategies. Advisors work directly alongside their experienced insurance professionals, accountants, and planning specialists to navigate estate planning, business succession, wealth transfer, and complex family questions which are ultimately solved through insurance products.

Whether supporting a straightforward insurance placement or a highly customized planning strategy, their goal remains the same: helping clients achieve better outcomes while helping advisors grow stronger, more scalable practices.

One Platform. Two Paths. Enterprise‑Level Solutions Without the Overhead.

About the role: Associate Partner

Aeternus is seeking an accomplished relationship builder and business developer to join the firm as an Associate Partner, supporting its continued growth and expansion. This is a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial professional to build and grow a sophisticated advisory practice while contributing to a firm that is redefining the delivery of insurance, tax, estate, and succession planning solutions for successful families and privately held businesses.

Reporting to the Managing Partner, the Associate Partner is responsible for originating new client relationships, managing a portfolio of complex client engagements, and leading the delivery of integrated planning solutions that align with Aeternus' planning-led approach. Acting as the primary advisor throughout the client lifecycle, the Associate Partner works collaboratively with internal specialists and external professional advisors to develop technically sound, practical, and client‑focused strategies that address complex planning objectives.

Success in this role is built upon the ability to establish trusted relationships, identify and convert new business opportunities, and deliver an exceptional client experience while contributing to the firm's broader growth objectives. The successful candidate will have both technical credibility and commercial acumen, demonstrating the ability to navigate sophisticated planning discussions while confidently originating and closing new engagements.

As a senior leader within the firm, the Associate Partner will also contribute to developing people, fostering collaboration across the business, and reinforcing the high standards of professionalism, stewardship, and client service that define Aeternus.

Responsibilities

As an Associate Partner, you will play a pivotal role in growing Aeternus' advisory practice by building trusted client relationships, originating new business opportunities, and delivering sophisticated planning solutions that create lasting value for clients. Working collaboratively across the firm and alongside external professional advisors, you will lead client engagements from initial discovery through implementation and ongoing stewardship while contributing to the continued growth of the partnership.

Client Leadership & Advisory

• Build and maintain long‑term relationships with a portfolio of clients, serving as their trusted advisor across insurance, tax, estate, and succession planning matters.
• Develop a thorough understanding of each client's objectives and translate complex planning needs into clear, practical, and implementable strategies.
• Lead the full lifecycle of client engagements, including discovery, solution design, implementation, and ongoing review.
• Coordinate internal specialists and collaborate with external advisors to deliver integrated planning solutions that align with clients' broader financial and legacy objectives.
• Oversee insurance placement, administration, documentation, renewals, and ongoing client service with a high standard of quality and responsiveness.
• Conduct regular client reviews to proactively identify evolving risks, opportunities, and planning considerations.

Business Development & Practice Growth

• Build and manage a pipeline of qualified opportunities by leveraging existing relationships while developing new connections through referrals, centres of influence, and strategic networking.
• Identify prospective clients and advisor relationships that align with Aeternus' planning-led approach and long-term advisory model.
• Lead discovery and strategy discussions that uncover complex planning needs and position Aeternus as a trusted advisory partner.
• Advance opportunities through the firm's business development process, coordinating internal and external stakeholders to convert qualified opportunities into successful client engagements.
• Contribute to the continued growth of the practice by consistently originating new business and expanding client relationships.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide leadership, coaching, and ongoing feedback to team members, fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional development.
• Contribute to firm-wide initiatives while supporting the implementation of strategic priorities and organizational decisions.
• Partner effectively with colleagues across disciplines to deliver integrated client solutions and share knowledge that strengthens the firm's overall capabilities.
• Model professionalism, ownership, and a collaborative approach that supports Aeternus' culture and long-term growth objectives.