CLIENT PARTNER, BDC ADVISORY SERVICES - Hamilton

Business Development Bank of Canada; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) seeks a Client Partner to lead business development, hunt for new advisory services opportunities, and build trusted partnerships with Canadian entrepreneurs. You will identify opportunities, qualify needs with strategic questions, and position BDC as the go-to partner for growth.

You will collaborate with financing teams to deliver tailored advisory solutions, manage the full lifecycle from prospect to close, and nurture ongoing client relationships

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, commerce, or a related field (MBA a plus).
• 5+ years in business development, generating new business within consulting or professional services.
• Proven ability to hunt for new clients and exceed sales targets.
• Experience in financial services and SMEs is an asset.
• Knowledge of diverse industries; manufacturing/industrial automation a plus.
• Strong emotional intelligence, communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, building a strong pipeline.
• Close new business to meet and exceed annual targets.
• Evaluate clients’ needs using questions, discussions, and diagnostics.
• Position advisory solutions and collaborate with delivery teams on proposals.
• Guide clients through the full BD cycle from first contact to project close.
• Maintain strong engagement with clients and ensure delivery of advisory projects.

Skills

Business development

Relationship building

Negotiation

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

MBA (a plus)

Job description

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

POSITION OVERVIEW

At BDC, Canada's only bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs, we believe in United for Entrepreneurs, Courageously Impactful, and Powered by People. As a Client Partner, you are a business development leader and hunter, focused on generating and closing new Advisory Services business. You'll actively seek out opportunities, build relationships from the ground up, and position BDC as the trusted partner for Canadian entrepreneurs. Your role is about creating impact - helping businesses overcome challenges and seize growth opportunities through BDC's diverse suite of management consulting solutions.

CHALLENGES TO BE MET

In this role, you will:

• Proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities, building and sustaining a strong pipeline of prospects.
• Close new business to meet and exceed annual sales and revenue targets.
• Evaluate clients’ business needs using strategic questions, discussions, and diagnostic tools.
• Position tailored advisory solutions and collaborate with delivery teams to develop compelling proposals.
• Guide clients through the full business development cycle - from first contact to project close and ongoing relationship nurturing.
• Maintain strong engagement with clients and ensure smooth delivery of advisory projects for high satisfaction.
• Build relationships that go beyond the immediate project, establishing yourself as a strategic partner and trusted advisor.
• Stay informed on economic trends, industry dynamics, and regional business challenges to keep your advice relevant.
• Strategically position Advisory Services in areas such as growth, technology, international expansion, operational efficiency, sales, marketing, and organizational management.
• Leverage cross-functional collaboration with Financing teams and other internal stakeholders to maximize client value.
• Maintain accurate client records and stay current with BDC's policies, procedures, and offerings.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• A bachelor's degree in business, commerce, or a related field (MBA is a plus).
• 5+ years of experience in business development, generating new business within consulting or professional services.
• Proven ability to hunt for new clients and consistently exceed sales targets.
• Experience in financial services (banking, consulting, private equity, venture capital) and working with SMEs is an asset.
• Knowledge of diverse industries; deep expertise in manufacturing and industrial automation is a plus.
• Strong emotional intelligence, excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Self-motivated, organized, and driven to create new business opportunities.
• A strong local network and influence.
• Business acumen, critical thinking, and a drive for continuous learning.
• Ability to navigate corporate environments and build productive relationships at all levels.
• Bilingualism (English & French) is a strong asset.
• Driver's license and access to a vehicle required.
• Willing to travel throughout the Eastern and Northern Ontario Region.

What makes you stand out

• You thrive on prospecting and opening doors, not just managing existing accounts.
• You're energized by conversations with business owners and uncovering what makes their business tick.
• You're curious, creative, and bold - ready to challenge the status quo and help entrepreneurs transform their businesses.
• You're driven by impact, not just activity.
• You bring clarity to complexity and structure to ambiguity.
• You believe that how we work together is just as important as what we deliver.

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

BDC is a bank unlike any other. 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. At BDC, we're changing people's and businesses' lives for the better. That's what makes us unique as a bank. That's why we are banking at another level.