Associate, AI Fund

Sagard Holdings Manager LP; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Sagard Holdings Manager LP is seeking a founding Associate to join the Sagard AI Fund. This hybrid role in Toronto or New York City will support all phases of the investment lifecycle, focusing on AI technology.

The ideal candidate is an early-career individual with 2-5 years of experience in investment banking or venture capital, possessing strong analytical skills and a genuine interest in AI. The position is a unique opportunity to build something new within a rapidly growing fund.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in investment banking, venture capital, management consulting, or high-growth tech.
• Genuine intellectual curiosity about AI and its advancements.
• Strong analytical skills to build models and synthesize research.

Responsibilities

• Support sourcing of investment opportunities in AI technology.
• Track portfolio company performance against investment thesis.
• Contribute to fund operations and maintain CRM hygiene.

Skills

Investment banking

Venture capital

Management consulting

Corporate development

Analytical skills

Networking in AI or technology

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

AI tools (Claude, Codex)

Job description

Company Overview

Sagard is a multi-strategy alternative asset management firm active in venture capital, private equity, private credit and real estate. Sagard also engages in private wealth management through Sagard Wealth. Founded in 2016 and guided by core values of entrepreneurship, innovation, collaboration, rigour and authenticity, Sagard has experienced outstanding growth. The firm manages more than US$45billion, has 190 portfolio companies and 540 professionals. Sagard is headquartered in Canada with offices in Canada, the United States, Europe and the Middle East.

Sagard AI Fund Overview

The Sagard AI Fund is a newly established US$150million investment vehicle, backed by founding LPs Power Corporation of Canada, Great‑West Lifeco, and IGM Financial. The Fund invests globally across the AI technology stack, stage and sector agnostic. It aims to invest in the most impactful AI companies of the next decade and support them via Sagard’s network, experience and global access.

Position Overview

We are looking for a founding Associate to join the Sagard AI Fund. This role supports the full investment lifecycle, from sourcing and diligence through portfolio monitoring and value creation, while developing your own conviction and hands‑on experience on where AI is heading. The role suits an early‑career candidate deeply curious about the intersection of enterprise technology and frontier AI technology, energized by working closely with founders and peer investors, and excited to contribute to building something new.

Location

Toronto or New York City (hybrid)

Responsibilities

• Sourcing & Investing – Support sourcing of investment opportunities across the AI technology stack (infrastructure, applications, AI‑native services providers, and adjacent sectors); conduct investment diligence (market dynamics and competition, financial analysis, and customer reference calls); build authentic relationships with founders, co‑investors and ecosystem participants; develop and maintain rigorous sector maps, thematic research and a running view on the AI landscape; attend conferences and co‑organise dinners in key markets (SF, NYC and Toronto/KW) to build Sagard’s brand.
• Portfolio & Value Creation – Contribute to tracking portfolio company performance against investment thesis and milestones; flag risks and opportunities; support commercial partnerships and introductions between AI companies and Sagard’s broader ecosystem (LPs, portfolio, strategic partners); assist portfolio companies on strategic initiatives and ad‑hoc analytical requests.
• Fund Operations – Leverage AI tools such as Claude and Codex to automate repetitive work and rethink business processes; contribute to quarterly LP reporting, investor communications and in‑depth investor updates; maintain pipeline tracking and rigorous CRM hygiene.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in investment banking, venture capital, management consulting, corporate development or working at a high‑growth technology company; exposure to AI or enterprise technology is a plus.
• Genuine intellectual curiosity about AI; you already follow the space closely and have your own developing opinions on where it’s going.
• Strong analytical skills – able to build a model, synthesize messy research into a clear answer and communicate it effectively.
• Intensely collaborative and entrepreneurial; comfortable in ambiguity and excited to contribute to building a new strategy at an established investment manager.
• Existing network in AI or technology is a plus, particularly in SF, NYC and London.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Equal Opportunity

Sagard is an equal‑opportunity employer that values diversity in the workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and will accommodate any individual who requires accommodation during the hiring process. Sagard may use automated tools, including artificial intelligence, to support certain stages of the recruitment and selection process.