Managing Director, Indigenous Entrepreneurship Fund

THE ORGANIZATION

As Canada’s bank for entrepreneurs, BDC is a partner of choice for all entrepreneurs looking to access the financing and advice they need to build their businesses and tackle the big challenges of our time. BDC was the first financial institution in Canada to receive the B Corp certification in 2013, and it is the B Corp movement’s national partner in Canada.

Its investment arm, BDC Capital, offers a full spectrum of specialized financing, including venture capital, growth and business transition capital and growth equity. It is one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers.

BDC’S PURPOSE, MISSION AND VALUES

Purpose: Empower a nation of dreamers and doers to build a better tomorrow for all.

Mission: Our mission is to support Canadian entrepreneurs by providing financing, capital and advisory services with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.

Values

Our values are the fundamental beliefs and principles that drive our business, support our strategic goals and guide our day-to-day work at BDC. They are our personality and DNA.

• United for entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurs are at the core of our actions. We collaborate effectively and create trusting relationships, as well as long-term partnerships, based on respect and integrity.
• Powered by people: Our colleagues, clients, and partners are our true driving force. We genuinely care about them and value their authentic selves. We create an environment for fulfillment and foster agility and flexibility.
• Courageously impactful: We are determined and accountable to deliver sustainable results. We have an impact by having the courage to act in innovative ways and being focused on the best interests of entrepreneurs and our colleagues.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

BDC aims to support Canadian entrepreneurs to build strong and resilient businesses and, in doing so, contribute to creating a more prosperous, competitive and inclusive Canada.

• Growth and competitiveness: Spur the growth of entrepreneurs and the competitiveness of Canada’s economy.
• Reach and relevance: Increase the reach and relevance of our support to entrepreneurs.
• Big challenges of our time: Empower entrepreneurs to respond to the big challenges of our time.
• Employee and client experience: Deliver a world-class employee and client experience.

View the 2025 BDC Annual Report.

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.

GOVERNANCE

BDC’s mandate is enacted in the Business Development Bank of Canada Act, passed in July 1995. It is governed by an independent Board of Directors that ensures the highest standards of corporate governance.

• Various committeesassist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. The Board has also established governance practices to help Board members perform their duties.
• The management teamexecutes the business strategy and oversees the day-to-day operations of BDC.

BDC is required to submit an annual five-year corporate plan to the Canadian government outlining its objectives and expected performance. View the Summary of the Corporate Plan (Fiscal 2026 to 2030).

THE ROLE

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.

RESPONSIBLITIES

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.

THE CANDIDATE

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.

TOTAL COMPENSATION

Choosing BDC as an employer means working in a healthy, inclusive, skills-rich environment that promotes the best conditions for bringing together unique teams with real power to act. It also means being at the center of ambitious economic and financial projects, looking ahead and doing things differently to fuel the success of Canadian businesses.

Choosing BDC as your employer also means:

• Flexible and competitive benefits, including an employee savings plan where BDC matches your voluntary contributions, a defined benefit pension plan, and 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 needed, and our offices are closed from December 25 to January 1.
• A hybrid work model that allows you to truly balance work and personal life.
• Learning, training, and development opportunities, and much more.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Please note: In the latter stages of the selection process, the following additional steps may be required for individuals who are invited to an interview with the selection committee:

• Declaration of Indigenous heritage.
• Information and/or correspondence that supports their self-declaration. Items supporting the self-declaration may include:
  • Letters of support from your Indigenous Community.
  • Reference letters from Indigenous members of your community.
  • Documentation supporting your confirmed citizenship as a member of a recognized First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis group.

To apply, please submit a Cover Letter and Resume directly to Pathways Executive Search outlining your interest, qualifications, and experience to applications@PathwaysExecutiveSearch.com

For more details or questions, please contact:

Laurie Sterritt, Managing Partner	1.778.838.4569 LaurieS@PathwaysExecutiveSearch.com
Terra MacPhail, Consultant	1.416.712.7407 TerraM@PathwaysExecutiveSearch.com

Pathways Executive Search is an international executive recruitment firm, known for its ability to attract and recruit talent in culturally grounded ways. Guided by Indigenous values and principles of Indigenous inclusion, Pathways walks with those looking to broaden candidate pools, find qualified and experienced candidates, and live out their values and commitment to creating workplace cultures where people can thrive.