Business Development Advisor (Cape Breton)

Invest Nova Scotia; Nova Scotia; On-site; CAD 79,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Invest Nova Scotia is seeking a Business Development Advisor to foster economic growth in Nova Scotia. The ideal candidate will leverage their advisory skills to support local businesses in achieving their growth potential through tailored advice and strategic partnerships. If you're passionate about helping businesses thrive, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• 5 years’ experience in a business advisory role.
• Knowledge of current financial trends related to business.

Responsibilities

• Align client needs with available programs and funding sources.
• Advise businesses on funding and advisory programs.
• Develop strategic initiatives for client growth.

Skills

Communication

Analytical Skills

Client-Focused

Problem-Solving

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related discipline

Job description

Invest Nova Scotia is Nova Scotia’s business development agency that works to promote economic growth and community economic development in the province by enabling business, innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. We are Nova Scotians supporting businesses small and large, new and new to our province.

Invest Nova Scotia’s team is as innovative and energetic as the clients we serve. We are a client-and employee-centric organization and care deeply about the work we do, driven by our passion to help the companies we work with succeed.

Job Opportunity: Business Development Advisor (Permanent)

Invest Nova Scotia is currently seeking an exceptional individual to fill the position of Business Development Advisor (BDA), based in Cape Breton, NS. As a key member of the business advisory team, the incumbent will use a consultative approach to generate business growth for our domestic clients.

The BDA provides a variety of business support to both new and established Nova Scotia companies. The BDA works closely with principals of companies analyzing business plans and associated financials, provides advisement on investment readiness and assists with customizing growth and export opportunities through available partnerships and resources. The BDA works with Nova Scotia partnerships, universities and government participating in export and economic growth discussions to foster partnerships and ensure they are up to date with relevant program and industry information. The BDA is responsible for maintaining internal relationships with business units to fulfill client service requirements, achieve set targets and results. The BDA is required to travel within Nova Scotia and their set region to service respective clients.

In this role, the successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Working with clients from start-to-finish, aligning client needs to available programs and funding sources.
• Proactively engaging and advising companies about funding and business programs available to assist their business stability and/or growth.
• Counselling and guiding clients through complex business processes.
• Reviewing and providing advice to clients on business plans, management, finance, marketing, innovation, production export, and investment readiness.
• Providing creative solutions and identifying opportunities for growth strategies, job creation/retention, accessing new capital, reaching new markets, governance, and regulatory obligations.
• Developing ‘outside the box’ strategic initiatives for clients and assuming a leadership role in bringing stakeholders together who can ultimately assist client companies.
• Actively engaging with companies’ senior management to find customized growth opportunities and/or solutions to problems which may be limiting or hindering a company’s growth potential.
• Participating in discussions with business organizations and local area groups as well as engaging with economic development groups or organizations in the region to identify common goals and to capitalize on shared objectives.
• Developing and determining work plans that prioritize work in alignment with client goals and Invest Nova Scotia business goals for success.
• Continuously evolving a repository of business contacts and actively engaging partners, stakeholders or other professionals who are available to assist clients.
• Participating, leading, and managing various working groups for projects.

Education/ Professional Experience:

• As the successful candidate you possess a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related discipline and have at least five years’ experience within a business advisory role. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Additional Requirements:

• You maintain a valid Nova Scotia driver’s license and have access to a reliable vehicle for business travel purposes, both of which are a condition of employment.
• This role requires the ability to work additional hours periodically on evenings and weekends as necessary.

Key Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to maintain and build working relationships with a multitude of stakeholders both internal and external.
• Knowledgeable on current financial trends and how it relates to business in Nova Scotia.
• Strong initiative and flexibility to meet client needs while delivering on Invest Nova Scotia’s mandate.
• Professional and client focused with the ability to counsel clients on a wide variety of business issues.
• Experience in generating solutions by analyzing a situation and identifying key opportunities for improvement.

If you have what it takes to join our team, we would like to hear from you. To learn more about us, please visit our website at investnovascotia.ca.

Invest Nova Scotia is committed to embracing diversity and fostering a workplace that is reflective of the diverse and global community in which we operate. We welcome applications from Black Nova Scotians, African Nova Scotians and other racialized people; 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, Indigenous People, veterans, immigrants, people living with disabilities and those that identify as women. If you are a member of one of the groups who reflect the diversity of Canadian society, you are encouraged to self-identify on either your cover letter or resume.

If at any point during this process, you require accommodation please let us know.

This role is based in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

Classification: This is a bargaining unit position with an Invest Nova Scotia 7 rate of pay: $79,507- $95,248 based on the March 31, 2024, collective agreement rates. Preference will be given to qualified Invest Nova Scotia NSGEU bargaining unit candidates.

Closing Date: June 29, 2025

Competition #: 25-INS-01

Resumes and cover letters will be used to screen applicants for this role. Please ensure that you clearly articulate in your cover letter how your skills and attributes will serve to apply to the requirements of this position.

Please send your resume and cover letter merged as one PDF document via e-mail to [e-mail]. The competition number must be included in the subject line.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Pre-employment screening will be conducted for final candidates, and results will be considered in the hiring process.