SENIOR ADVISOR, INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP - Ontario

We are banking at another level.

Choosing BDC as your employer means working in a healthy, inclusive, and skilled workplace that puts forward the best conditions to bring together unique teams where employees are empowered to act. It also means being at the centre of ambitious economic and financial projects to see further and to do things differently, to fuel the success of Canadian entrepreneurs.

Choosing BDC as your employer also means:

• Flexible and competitive benefits, including an Employee Savings and Investment Plan where BDC matches part of your voluntary contributions, a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, a $750 wellness and health care spending account, to name a few   

• In addition to paid vacation each year, five personal days, sick days as necessary, and our offices are closed from December 25 to January 1

• A hybrid work model that truly balances work and personal life

• Opportunities for learning, training and development, and much more... 

Explore the BDC Way in our Culture Book

We are the only bank dedicated exclusively to the development of Canadian businesses. The only institution whose purpose is to promote the growth of the Canadian economy by focusing on the success of small and medium-sized businesses, with a human touch and a genuine presence. For 80 years, we have been a Crown corporation that helps create and develop strong Canadian businesses through financing, advisory services, and investment capital with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. We are committed to the long-term success of Canadian entrepreneurs in all industries and at all stages of development. 

Our 2,900 employees across Canada have achieved outstanding work during the past year by serving a total of 100,000 entrepreneurs to help them build and grow their businesses and succeed, thus creating a broader benefit for society. Our clients accepted $10.3 billion in loans. Overall, we had $52.1 billion in capital committed to small and medium-sized businesses. As Canada faces uncertain economic conditions, BDC remains flexible to adapt to changes in the environment and entrepreneurs’ needs to continue to deliver high-quality and impactful services to Canadian entrepreneurs. 

At BDC, we support over 1,000 Indigenous clients from coast to coast. We have a long history of working with Indigenous entrepreneurs, appreciating their unique histories, cultures, and contributions to Canada. 

For the 17th year, we have been recognized as one of the 100 best employers in Canada, and for the 13th year, as one of the 100 best employers in Canada in terms of diversity. As part of initiatives to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, we strongly encourage individuals who identify as Indigenous to apply to BDC. 

As part of initiatives to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, we strongly encourage individuals who identify as Indigenous to apply to BDC. We also have an Indigenous employee resource group available to all employees. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

To better serve Indigenous entrepreneurs, BDC is enhancing its market presence in Indigenous communities. With our new engagement model, BDC aims to remove barriers faced by Indigenous entrepreneurs for access to capital, mentorship, networking, and relevant business education and knowledge. 

We are currently looking to hire a Senior Advisor, Indigenous Entrepreneurship. If selected for this role, you will be deployed in specific regions to reinforce relationships with Indigenous communities and ensure our efforts are aligned with the communities’ needs and expectations. 

As an Indigenous Entrepreneurship senior advisor, you will be BDC’s main resource when it comes to building relationships and positioning BDC as a partner of choice for the Indigenous communities. You will be working closely with entrepreneurs and partners, focusing on economic empowerment. 

You will be reporting to our Inclusive Entrepreneuship team, you will guide entrepreneurs and partners to the appropriate channels and resources, regardless of our internal business lines. 

You will be a key reference for the development of all initiatives relevant to Indigenous communities, sharing your knowledge and expertise to ensure BDC remains relevant to communities and brings value. 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs to achieve their ambitions 

• Proactively develop and maintain strong relationships with external organizations and individuals involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem to understand community needs 

• Promote BDC’s credibility, image and notoriety with the Indigenous communities. 

• Act as a referral point for Indigenous businesses, leveraging in-market activities and long‑term relationships, and guide entrepreneurs and partners to the right BDC offering / internal contact. 

• Collaborate with account managers to identify opportunities to support indigenous entrepreneurs and provide expert advice on their business needs. 

• Ensure geographic coverage, identifying and capitalizing on opportunities to help Indigenous businesses thrive.  

• Foster Trust-Based relationships with indigenous entrepreneurs, recognizing the importance of understanding and addressing their unique needs to support their business growth.  

• Deliver exceptional customer care, recognizing the sensitivities of the relationship and the importance of continued support. Handle sensitive information with integrity and a commitment to confidentiality. 

Enrich BDC’s understanding of Indigenous communities 

• Communicate effectively with all levels of the organization including senior executives, clients, and land shareholders. 

• Act as a subject matter expert in research and development of key understandings of Indigenous communities.  

• Internally educate and engage all BDC client-facing employees and the operational support team to fully understand the importance and nuances of the strategy to create and maintain a strong client and prospect base. 

• Contribute to the growth of BDC’s strategy by participating in the development of tailored solutions for Indigenous entrepreneurs. 

• Ensure the continuous dissemination and coordination of information and actions to diversity champions, for the benefit of clients and prospects. 

• Support the project teams with establishing training opportunities.  

 Conduct business development to help Indigenous entrepreneurs achieve their ambitions   

• Work in collaboration with the different partners (Core Business Center, Virtual Banking Center, Partnership, etc.) to identify new business opportunities.  

• Use your network of contacts to identify and pursue business opportunities.  

Keep up to date on Indigenous needs and trends  

• Actively participate in Indigenous conferences within the region to stay connected with community needs and developments. 

• ​Keep abreast of key economic trends that are likely to impact Indigenous entrepreneurs. 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Main qualifications: 

• Excellent relationship building, communication and presentation skills. 

• Strong understanding of the barriers and opportunities for indigenous entrepreneurs. 

• Commitment in promoting economic empowerment and development within the indigenous communities. 

• Bachelor’s degree in administration or any field deemed equivalent or any equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• More than 5 years of experience in a financial institution in business development or any other experience deemed relevant. 

• Ability to analyze financial statements, synthesize information, and communicate effectively. 

• Strong leadership abilities, inspiring employees to become diversity champions. 

• Passion for issues affecting Small and Medium Entrepreneurs and good knowledge of economic development policies and practices. 

• Self-identified Indigenous individual  

• Excellent ability to speak and write in English - ability to speak in French is an asset. 

• Valid driver’s licence. 

Proudly one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible environment where all employees can thrive and feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work. If you require an accommodation to complete your application, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

While we appreciate all applications, we advise that only the candidates selected to participate in the recruitment process will be contacted.