Location: Montreal or Ottawa preferred

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 an Associate Director, you will combine investment judgment, governance expertise, and relationship 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 central role in investment execution, fund oversight, and portfolio management, while engaging closely with fund managers, institutional partners, and internal and stakeholders including Government.

CHALLENGES TO BE MET

Investment & Deal Execution

• Lead investment processes across fund commitments in the context of a competitive call for expressions of interest on behalf of the Government

• Contribute to deal underwriting, structuring, negotiation, and closing processes, including engagement in legal negotiations from a business perspective and alignment on terms with fund managers

Fund Oversight & Governance

• Serve as a representative on portfolio funds' LPACs
• Monitor fund performance, governance, and compliance with fund agreements and program requirements
• Provide strategic insight and constructive challenge to enhance fund outcomes

Portfolio & Ecosystem Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with fund managers, ecosystem stakeholders, and government partners
• Stay closely connected to venture capital trends and market developments
• Represent BDC in the ecosystem to strengthen program visibility and impact

Program Execution & Reporting

• Contribute to the delivery and continuous improvement of program frameworks, processes, and governance standards
• Support the preparation of quarterly and annual reporting, performance dashboards, and stakeholder communications
• Ensure high standards of rigour, accuracy, and timeliness in all reporting outputs

Team Contribution

• Mentor and support junior team members
• Contribute to a collaborative, high-performance culture

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
• 5 years+ experience in venture capital, private equity, or growth investing, with direct exposure to deal-making at the fund and/or company level as well as investment underwriting, structuring, business and legal negotiations and execution
• Experience in governance roles, including participation in LPACs and/or Board-level or equivalent oversight experience
• Strong understanding of fund structures, LPAs, governance frameworks, and performance dynamics
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships with fund managers and institutional partners

Core competencies

• Strong analytical and investment judgment
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• High level of rigour, organisation, and attention to detail
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment
• Collaborative mindset with a commitment to team development and excellence

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