SENIOR ADVISOR, INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP - Across the Province of Ontario

BDC; New Brunswick; 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 is crucial for fostering economic empowerment and supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs. You will leverage your expertise to guide entrepreneurs to appropriate resources, ensuring BDC remains a trusted partner. With a hybrid work model and a commitment to diversity, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact while working in a supportive environment that values collaboration and innovation.

Benefits

Flexible benefits

Employee Savings and Investment Plan

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

$750 wellness and healthcare spending account

Paid vacation

Personal days

Sick days as needed

Offices closed from December 25 to January 1

Opportunities for learning and development

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a financial institution or relevant role.
• Understanding barriers and opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with external organizations.
• Promote BDC’s credibility and reputation within Indigenous communities.
• Collaborate with account managers to identify support opportunities.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication

Presentation skills

Financial analysis

Leadership

Knowledge of economic development policies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in administration

Equivalent experience

Job description

We are banking at another level.

Choosing BDC as your employer means working in a healthy, inclusive, and skilled workplace that fosters collaboration among diverse teams where employees are empowered to act. It also means being at the heart of ambitious economic and financial projects to innovate and support 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 promotes work-life balance.

• Opportunities for learning, training, and development, and more...

*This role can be located anywhere in Ontario.

About BDC

At BDC, we support over 1,000 Indigenous clients nationwide. We have a longstanding commitment to working with Indigenous entrepreneurs, respecting their unique histories, cultures, and contributions.

We have been recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 18 years and as a Diversity Employer for 14 years. We strongly encourage Indigenous individuals to apply, as part of our diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. We also have an Indigenous employee resource group available to all staff.

POSITION OVERVIEW

To better serve Indigenous entrepreneurs, BDC is expanding its presence in Indigenous communities. Our new engagement model aims to remove barriers to capital, mentorship, networking, and business education.

We are hiring a Senior Advisor, Indigenous Entrepreneurship. This role involves deploying in specific regions to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities and ensure our efforts align with their needs and expectations.

As a Senior Advisor, you will be BDC’s primary resource for building relationships and positioning BDC as a trusted partner for Indigenous communities. You will work closely with entrepreneurs and partners, focusing on economic empowerment.

You will report to the Inclusive Entrepreneurship team and will guide entrepreneurs and partners to appropriate channels and resources, regardless of internal business lines.

You will be instrumental in developing initiatives relevant to Indigenous communities, sharing your expertise to ensure BDC remains relevant and valuable to these communities.

Main responsibilities

Supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs to achieve their ambitions

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with external organizations involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem to understand community needs.
• Promote BDC’s credibility and reputation 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 identify opportunities to support Indigenous businesses’ growth.
• Foster trust-based relationships with Indigenous entrepreneurs, understanding and addressing their unique needs to support their business development.

Enhancing BDC’s understanding of Indigenous communities

• Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on Indigenous communities, conducting research and sharing insights.
• Educate and engage BDC staff to understand the importance of Indigenous strategies.
• Contribute to tailored solutions for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
• Disseminate information and coordinate actions related to diversity initiatives.
• Support project teams with training opportunities.

Business development to support Indigenous entrepreneurs

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

Stay informed on Indigenous needs and trends

• Participate in Indigenous conferences and community events.
• Monitor economic trends affecting Indigenous entrepreneurs.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Main qualifications:

• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills.
• Deep understanding of barriers and opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
• Commitment to promoting economic empowerment within Indigenous communities.
• Bachelor’s degree in administration or relevant field, or equivalent experience.
• Over 5 years of experience in a financial institution or relevant role.
• Ability to analyze financial statements and communicate effectively.
• Strong leadership skills to inspire diversity champions.
• Passion for supporting Small and Medium Entrepreneurs and knowledge of economic development policies.
• Self-identified Indigenous individual.
• Fluent in English; French skills are an asset.

Valid driver’s license is required

We are committed to diversity and inclusion. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at [e-mail].

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