DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT FUNDS - Montreal, Ottawa & Toronto

BDC; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

BDC Capital is seeking a Director to lead government-backed venture capital programs, including VCAP, VCCI, Renewed VCCI, and Growth VCCI. You will oversee investment execution, governance, and stakeholder management, guiding fund managers and internal partners across Canada.

The role requires 10+ years in venture capital or private equity, strong negotiation and leadership, and the ability to drive strategic outcomes in a multi-stakeholder environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor degree in Commerce or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of academic training and relevant professional experience.
• 10+ years in venture capital/private equity or growth investing with direct exposure to deal-making at the fund level as well as investment underwriting, structuring, business and legal negotiations and execution.
• Demonstrated expertise in venture capital fund structures, LPAs, governance frameworks, and policy-driven investment programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex negotiations and manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously

Responsibilities

• Lead complex negotiations with fund managers and external stakeholders for execution of program delivery.
• Provide strategic oversight of investments across the portfolio, ensuring alignment between policy objectives, portfolio construction considerations, and market dynamics
• Oversee governance and reporting across portfolios and funds.
• Provide coaching and leadership to a team of analysts.

Skills

Leadership

Investment judgment

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Governance

Team development

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor degree in Commerce or related

Job description

We Are Banking At Another Level.

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

Join a team shaping Canada's venture capital ecosystem

At BDC, the Government Funds team manages capital on behalf of the Government of Canada to strengthen and grow Canada's venture capital market. This includes deploying $350M under the Venture Capital Action Plan (VCAP), $450M under the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI), and $450M under the Renewed Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (Renewed VCCI). These programs totalling $1.2B AUM are designed to crowd in private capital and support fund managers across the Canadian venture capital asset class. Building on this foundation, BDC is now deploying the $1B Growth Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (Growth VCCI), a landmark platform focused on scaling Canada's most promising funds and innovative companies. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of investment, policy, and ecosystem development, with direct exposure to the most prominent Canadian fund managers while contributing to a national priority initiative shaping Canada's innovation economy.

Position Overview

As Director, you will combine leadership, investment expertise, and complex project management to support the deployment and oversight of government-backed venture capital programs, including VCAP, VCCI, Renewed VCCI, and upcoming Growth VCCI. You will play a lead role in investment execution, stakeholder management, and portfolio governance, while engaging closely with fund managers, institutional partners, and internal stakeholders including Government.

CHALLENGES TO BE MET

Investment Expertise

• Lead complex business and legal negotiations with fund managers and external stakeholders for execution of program delivery including fund investments.
• Provide strategic oversight of investment activities across the portfolio, ensuring alignment between policy objectives, portfolio construction considerations, and market dynamics
• Provide senior investment judgment and guidance on fund performance, risk management, and portfolio development matters

Fund Oversight & Governance

• Serve as BDC's representative on portfolio funds' LPACs and other governance bodies
• Monitor fund performance, governance, and compliance with fund agreements and program requirements
• Provide strategic insight and constructive challenge to support strong governance practices and enhance fund outcomes
• Guide fund managers on governance and operational best practices to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the venture capital ecosystem

Leadership and Team Management

• Demonstrate leadership in team meetings and operations processes, ensuring effective resource allocation, quality control, operational excellence, and alignment with strategic priorities
• Ensure the timely and accurate execution of operational activities, including capital calls, distributions, reporting, and stakeholder deliverables
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and leadership to a team of Analysts, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on continuous improvement and professional development
• Identify capability and capacity gaps, oversee recruitment and onboarding activities, and promote knowledge sharing and best practices across the team

Program Delivery & Stakeholder Management

• Provide strategic input into the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of current and future government investment programs
• Respond to complex and time-sensitive requests from internal and external stakeholders while maintaining a high standard of service and professionalism
• Oversee the preparation and dissemination of quarterly and annual reporting, performance dashboards, and stakeholder communications
• Ensure high standards of quality, consistency, accuracy, and timeliness across all reporting outputs and program deliverables

Portfolio & Ecosystem Leadership

• Build and maintain strong relationships with fund managers, institutional investors, ecosystem stakeholders, and government partners
• Represent BDC Capital and Government Funds at industry conferences, panels, events, and stakeholder forums
• Stay closely connected to venture capital trends, market developments, and emerging opportunities to support strategic decision-making
• Support and lead thought leadership initiatives, market studies, and research projects that generate insights from government investment programs and portfolio activities

What We Are Looking For

Experience and qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor degree in Commerce or a related discipline (finance, accounting, law or business administration preferred), or an equivalent combination of academic training and relevant professional experience
• 10 years+ experience in venture capital, private equity, or growth investing, with direct exposure to deal-making at the fund level as well as investment underwriting, structuring, business and legal negotiations and execution
• Demonstrated expertise in venture capital fund structures, LPAs, governance frameworks, and policy-driven investment programs
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex negotiations and manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously
• Significant experience serving on LPACs, Boards of Directors, or equivalent governance bodies
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships involving fund managers, institutional investors, government representatives, and senior executives
• Strong understanding of the Canadian venture capital ecosystem and a well-established network of industry relationships
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams

Core competencies

• Strong strategic and investment judgment
• Demonstrated leadership and people management capabilities
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to align operational execution with broader policy, program, and organizational objectives
• High level of rigour, organization, and attention to detail
• Ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment
• Collaborative mindset with a commitment to team development, knowledge sharing, and excellence

The position is primarily based in Montreal or Ottawa, with a preference for these locations. Toronto is also acceptable.

BDC is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We are dedicated to providing an environment where all employees feel valued, respected and able to reach their full potential. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and encourage candidates to request accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process.

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.