Bain is doubling down on Canada. In this episode of Strategy Simplified, we sit down with Jed Fallis, Bain’s Managing Partner in Canada, to talk about the firm’s brand-new Montreal office.
Jed shares why Bain chose Montreal, which industries the office will focus on, and what kind of candidates the firm is looking for as it grows.
Importantly, Bain is actively recruiting to staff the new Montreal office. If you’re considering consulting in Canada, now is the time to prepare your application and stand out in a competitive process.
Additional Resources:
- Explore open roles at Bain Montreal
- Learn more about the new Montreal office
- Unlock 1,000+ consulting jobs on the Management Consulted Job Board
- Get case interview ready with Black Belt
Bain Expands to Montreal (Transcript):
Japheth: Hey, Strategy Simplified. Welcome back to the podcast. I'm Japheth, your host, and today I'm sitting down with Jed Fallis, Managing Partner for Bain Canada. We’re going to have a great conversation about the upcoming Montreal office. Jed, where are you tuning in from today?
Jed: I'm calling from Toronto today, from the Bain Toronto office.
Japheth: Okay, lovely. Soon to be not the only Canadian office for Bain. Looking forward to this.
About Jed Fallis
Japheth: Jed was born and raised in Toronto and has been collaborating with fellow partners to grow the Canadian business and foster an office culture that attracts and retains the best talent. In addition to leading Bain Canada, Jed’s deepest client relationships are in financial services. His work focuses on corporate and business unit strategy, driving scale systems transformations, optimizing efficiency, and building modern data and analytics capabilities, including AI at scale.
Jed has also worked across other industries, including transportation, industrials, and private equity. He obtained his bachelor’s in economics from Queen’s University and a master’s in global market economics from the London School of Economics. Outside of work, he spends time with his wife and three children and enjoys the occasional game of tennis.
Why Montreal and Why Now?
Japheth: Jed, Bain just announced the opening of a new Montreal office. Congratulations! It signals growth and an exciting trajectory for Bain. Why Montreal, and why now?
Jed: Thank you very much for having me—thrilled to be here. To your direct question, the macro answer is this: Bain is doubling down on Canada. Over the past 10 to 15 years, Bain Canada has quadrupled in size. We feel very bullish on the future potential to collaborate with Canadian companies, particularly in Quebec.
We’ve been working in Quebec for some time, but we see a big opportunity to do more with Quebec-based companies. That’s reason number one. Reason number two is that there’s a rich and high-quality talent pool in Quebec. While we’ve done some recruiting there, we’re excited to expand efforts in the province.
Industries the Montreal Office Will Serve
Japheth: Quebec is home to leading companies in financial services, industrials, and private capital. Will Bain Montreal lean toward these sectors?
Jed: That’s fair. Bain covers all sectors, and our offices typically reflect the economic base around them. Certainly, the industries you listed are major parts of the Quebec economy. I’d also add retail. So, while we won’t focus exclusively on those, I expect they’ll make up a large share of the office’s work.
Building a Uniquely Montreal Culture
Japheth: All Bain offices have unique identities. What flair will Montreal have?
Jed: The office is just getting started, so part of the work will be creating the Bain Quebec beliefs—how we want to define ourselves. I want to engage everyone in shaping that.
That said, a new office is a unique animal. We’ll expect an entrepreneurial spirit both in pursuing clients and in how we collaborate. We want to make it one of the best offices in the Bain system. It will feel uniquely Montreal, and importantly, it will be a French-speaking office. We’ve lined up real estate and look forward to building in Quebec-specific touches.
Recruiting for Bain Montreal
Japheth: Bain will be hiring soon to staff Montreal. What types of people are you looking for?
Jed: Some traits are consistent across all offices: problem solvers, strong communicators, client leaders, and effective team players. For Montreal, we’ll add two priorities. First, an entrepreneurial spirit. The office will start at about 30 people, so we need those who see opportunities to make the office better and own that.
Second, we’re looking for culture carriers—people who make the office fun, who organize events and create bonds. Those instincts are critical in a new office.
Advice for Aspiring Consultants
Japheth: Do you have tips for candidates applying to Bain Montreal?
Jed: Reflect on your lived experiences and how they tie into what Bain is looking for. Whether you were on a sports team, in a musical group, or led something in university, think about how those experiences show problem solving, teamwork, leadership, or entrepreneurship. It’s competitive out there, so make that connection clear.
Timeline for the Office Opening
Japheth: Can you share the timeline for the new office?
Jed: We’re transferring people from around the world, and they’ve begun arriving. The doors open on the first Monday of October. We’ll be publicly sharing more news in the coming month. Recruiting is already underway—we have big ambitions for growth in Montreal.
Personal Insights from Jed Fallis
Japheth: Jed, what are you most looking forward to with the new office?
Jed: I love Quebec and Montreal in particular. I have clients there and look forward to working with them more closely. On a lighter note, I’m a Leafs fan, so I anticipate a fun rivalry with Canadiens fans in the office.
Japheth: Quick personal questions: Any tennis bucket list items?
Jed: I’ve never been to the French Open, so that’s on the list. Fun story—I once snuck onto center court at the US Open with a friend, and I won the match. So, technically, I’m undefeated on center court.
Japheth: Favorite travel memory?
Jed: My honeymoon safari in South Africa. It was incredible—seeing giraffes, rhinos, and more. I’d love to do it again with my kids once they’re old enough. Future bucket list? Patagonia for my 50th birthday.
Closing Thoughts
Japheth: Jed, thank you for joining us on Strategy Simplified and sharing about Bain’s new Montreal office. Congratulations again, and we look forward to updates as the office launches and grows.