MANAGING DIRECTOR, INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP FUND

BDC; Montreal; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian financial institution is seeking a Managing Director to lead the Indigenous Entrepreneurship Fund. This hybrid role focuses on strategic leadership and community engagement to support Indigenous-led businesses across Canada. The successful candidate will have significant experience in investment and will work closely with Indigenous entrepreneurs. The position offers flexible benefits and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Flexible and competitive benefits

Employee Savings and Investment Plan

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

$750 wellness account

Paid personal days and vacation

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of Indigenous cultures and economic development.
• Experience leading teams and designing investment initiatives.
• Comfortable advising at high levels.

Responsibilities

• Shape and implement the Fund’s strategy and operations.
• Oversee investment activities and portfolio management.
• Build and lead a team to support the Fund's activities.

Skills

Strong leadership skills

Understanding of investments

Relationship-building

Cultural awareness

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or CFA

Law degree or CAFM designation

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

BDC Capital – the investment arm of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) – is seeking a Managing Director to lead the Indigenous Entrepreneurship Fund, a $100 million investment platform created to support the growth and success of Indigenous-led businesses across Canada. The Fund reflects BDC’s commitment to reconciliation and inclusive economic development, providing equity and equity‑like capital through approaches grounded in trust, collaboration, and long‑term impact.

The Managing Director will shape and implement the Fund’s strategy, structure, and operations, ensuring it delivers meaningful results for Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities. Working closely with BDC Capital teams and partners across the country, the successful candidate will guide investment activities, build strategic relationships, and help define new pathways for Indigenous economic participation and prosperity.

ABOUT THE INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS FUND

In 2024, BDC Capital launched a new $100 million Indigenous Entrepreneurs Fund designed to support and grow the number of businesses led by Indigenous entrepreneurs in Canada. The Fund invests, alongside ecosystem partners, in businesses led by Indigenous entrepreneurs seeking equity capital to grow sustainable businesses, create jobs, and actively contribute to the growth of the Indigenous community and the Canadian economy. The Fund includes a combination of direct investments in businesses and indirect investments in funds.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting directly to the SVP of Inclusive Investment, the Managing Director, Indigenous Entrepreneurship Fund is responsible for the overall leadership of the Fund, designing its strategy, structure, and operations, and guiding its evolution from concept to full execution. The Managing Director will serve as BDC Capital’s most senior Indigenous leader and will be key to shaping how the organization advances reconciliation through economic development. The Managing Director will represent the Fund internally and externally, strengthening BDC’s relationships with Indigenous entrepreneurs, economic development organizations, and key ecosystem partners.

The Managing Director role blends strategic leadership, investment understanding, and community engagement. With a deep understanding or expertise in investments, finance, or financial markets, the Managing Director will oversee the design of investment vehicles that generate returns while providing much‑needed equity capital to this underserved segment of the market. They will have a passion for supporting the growth of entrepreneurs, demonstrate innovation, and possess strong leadership skills.

CHALLENGES TO BE MET

• Lead strategic fund development. Analyze the needs of Indigenous entrepreneurs and the gaps that BDC could fill to complement the ecosystem.
• Define the Fund’s long‑term strategy, structure, and operating model in collaboration with the CEO and Board.
• Develop a unifying vision, roadmap, and investment thesis for the deployment of $100 million to fill the identified gaps.
• Develop and implement investment vehicles that balance financial returns with social impact.
• Identify and understand emerging needs, in consultation with partners and the market, to evolve the Fund.
• Establish partnerships with Indigenous entrepreneurs, development corporations, and financial institutions.
• Build and lead a team of four‑to‑six highly qualified professionals to support the Fund's activities.
• Oversee investment activities and portfolio management. Oversee portfolio management, due diligence, and risk assessment to ensure responsible and transparent capital deployment.
• Provide overall leadership for the Fund in forecasting, planning, and budgeting.
• Ensure ongoing management of portfolio company documentation.
• Lead due diligence efforts with key team members for new and/or existing opportunities by conducting market research and analysis, preparing financial forecasts, reviewing management, competition, etc., and managing active investment accounts using appropriate databases, client interaction, research reports, and other intelligence resources.
• Effectively manage internal and external service providers, including attorneys and other consultants.
• Lead marketing strategy and ecosystem support efforts. Actively participate in public relations, including speeches, panel discussions, press interviews, authoring articles for print and online publication, and participating in conferences as an expert and thought leader.
• Represent BDC Capital and the Fund publicly through conferences, panels, and media engagement.
• Strengthen BDC’s internal understanding of Indigenous business realities and guide culturally informed investment practices.
• Liaise closely with venture capital teams, the ecosystem team, and other BDC members to build a sustainable community for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
• Collaborate across BDC divisions to integrate the Fund’s objectives within the broader Impact platform.

LOCATION & MODE OF WORK

This position is hybrid with national travel as required.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The ideal candidate is an Indigenous leader with a deep understanding of Indigenous cultures, values, and economic development. They are trusted within Indigenous business communities and bring strong credibility, cultural awareness, and relationship‑building skills. They combine that grounding with practical knowledge of investment, entrepreneurship, and/or governance and are skilled at bridging financial systems with Indigenous worldviews.

The ideal candidate is strategic, resilient, and collaborative. They will be comfortable advising at the highest levels of BDC Capital and representing the organization publicly. The successful candidate has experience leading teams, managing partnerships, and designing or overseeing investment initiatives. They will approach the role with humility and confidence, balancing commercial discipline with a commitment to Indigenous prosperity and long‑term impact. They believe in the mandate of BDC and BDC Capital, as well as the vision and mandate of the Impact platform.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of industry dynamics for technology and non‑technology companies, awareness of long‑term market trends and new opportunities, and the ability to characterize and quantify risk factors specific to the industry and each segment.
• Has an existing network in the market that can be leveraged.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of key business processes.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify and think creatively about investments and markets.
• Possesses a solid understanding of the product development lifecycle, development methodologies, growth strategies, and pricing strategies.
• Exhibits strong business acumen with insight into the significance of financial data as it relates to a company’s operations throughout its lifecycle.
• Demonstrates superior written and verbal communication skills and the ability to influence others to achieve results.
• Can ‘sell’ ideas and build consensus with colleagues, portfolio companies, and future investors, while remaining attentive to both the details and nuances of information exchange across diverse audiences.
• Encourages constructive debate to achieve the best outcomes.
• Displays results‑oriented thinking and takes action in stressful situations. Remains calm, productive, and efficient under pressure.
• Is exceptionally reliable; consistently monitors and controls progress; and values, supports, and develops key internal processes.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• MBA, CFA, law degree, or Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) designation are assets.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience as an entrepreneur or investor, or both, with a proven ability to perform as both an individual contributor and team player in fast‑paced, high‑pressure environments.
• Proven senior executive experience leading the development, start‑up, and growth of a successful technology company competing in global markets, from inception to positive cash flow or exit.
• Demonstrated experience working with venture capitalists, accelerators, or incubators to deliver programs to market in an agile environment.
• Experience serving as a board member and management advisor to emerging start‑up companies.

We are 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.