SENIOR ADVISOR, INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP - Across the Province of Ontario

BDC; Kitchener; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Advisor for Indigenous Entrepreneurship to enhance relationships with Indigenous communities. This role focuses on empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs by providing access to resources and fostering trust-based connections. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, a deep understanding of Indigenous issues, and a commitment to economic empowerment. Join a diverse and inclusive workplace that values your contributions and supports your professional growth in a hybrid work model.

Benefits

Employee Savings and Investment Plan

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

$750 wellness and healthcare spending account

Paid vacation

Personal days

Sick days as needed

Flexible work model

Opportunities for training and development

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a financial institution or relevant experience.
• Fluent in English; French is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with Indigenous organizations.
• Promote BDC’s credibility within Indigenous communities.
• Collaborate with account managers to support Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Skills

Relationship Building

Communication Skills

Presentation Skills

Leadership Skills

Financial Analysis

Understanding Indigenous Issues

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

We are banking at another level.

Choosing BDC as your employer means working in a healthy, inclusive, and skilled workplace that fosters the best conditions for diverse 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, fueling the success of Canadian entrepreneurs.

Choosing BDC as your employer also means:

• Flexible and competitive benefits, including an Employee Savings and Investment Plan with employer matching, a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, a $750 wellness and healthcare spending account, among others.

• In addition to paid vacation, five personal days, sick days as needed, and our offices are closed from December 25 to January 1.

• A hybrid work model that balances work and personal life.

• Opportunities for learning, training, and development.

*This role can be located anywhere in Ontario.

About BDC

At BDC, we support over 1,000 Indigenous clients across Canada. We have a long history of collaborating with Indigenous entrepreneurs, respecting their unique histories, cultures, and contributions.

We are recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 18 years and as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for 14 years. We strongly encourage individuals who identify as Indigenous to apply, and we support an Indigenous employee resource group.

POSITION OVERVIEW

To better serve Indigenous entrepreneurs, BDC is expanding its presence in Indigenous communities through a new engagement model aimed at removing barriers to access capital, mentorship, networking, and business education.

We are hiring a Senior Advisor, Indigenous Entrepreneurship. This role involves building relationships with Indigenous communities and ensuring our efforts align with their needs and expectations.

You will be BDC’s main resource for relationship building and positioning BDC as a partner of choice for Indigenous communities, focusing on economic empowerment.

Reporting to the Inclusive Entrepreneurship team, you will guide entrepreneurs and partners to appropriate resources, regardless of internal lines of business.

You will also contribute to the development of initiatives relevant to Indigenous communities, sharing your expertise to keep BDC relevant and valuable.

Main responsibilities

Supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs to achieve their ambitions

• Develop and maintain relationships with organizations and individuals involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem to understand community needs.
• Promote BDC’s credibility and visibility within Indigenous communities.
• Act as a referral point for Indigenous businesses, leveraging in-market activities and long-term relationships, guiding entrepreneurs and partners to the right BDC offerings.
• Collaborate with account managers to identify support opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
• Ensure geographic coverage and support Indigenous business growth.
• Foster trust-based relationships with Indigenous entrepreneurs, understanding and addressing their unique needs.

Enrich BDC’s understanding of Indigenous communities

• Communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
• Act as a subject matter expert on Indigenous communities.
• Internally educate staff about Indigenous issues and contribute to tailored solutions for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
• Disseminate information to diversity champions to benefit clients and prospects.
• Support training initiatives for project teams.

Conduct business development

• Collaborate with partners to identify new opportunities.
• Use your network to pursue business opportunities.

Stay informed on Indigenous needs and trends

• Participate in regional Indigenous conferences.
• Monitor economic trends affecting Indigenous entrepreneurs.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Main qualifications:

• Excellent relationship, communication, and presentation skills.
• Understanding of barriers and opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
• Commitment to economic empowerment in Indigenous communities.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Over 5 years in a financial institution or relevant experience.
• Ability to analyze financial statements and communicate effectively.
• Strong leadership and inspiring skills for diversity initiatives.
• Self-identified Indigenous individual.
• Fluent in English; French is an asset.

Valid driver’s license required

We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. If you need accommodations, contact [e-mail].

We thank all applicants; only those selected for interviews will be contacted.