POSITION OVERVIEWTo better serve Indigenous entrepreneurs, BDC is enhancing its market presence in Indigenous communities. With our new engagement model, BDC aims to remove barriers faced by Indigenous entrepreneurs for access to capital, mentorship, networking, and relevant business education and knowledge.
We are currently looking to hire a
Senior Advisor, Indigenous Entrepreneurship. If selected for this role, you will be deployed in specific regions to reinforce relationships with Indigenous communities and ensure our efforts are aligned with the communities' needs and expectations.
As an Indigenous Entrepreneurship senior advisor, you will be BDC's main resource when it comes to building relationships and positioning BDC as a partner of choice for the Indigenous communities. You will be working closely with entrepreneurs and partners, focusing on economic empowerment.
You will be reporting to our
Inclusive Entrepreneuship team, you will guide entrepreneurs and partners to the appropriate channels and resources, regardless of our internal business lines.
You will be a key reference for the development of all initiatives relevant to Indigenous communities, sharing your knowledge and expertise to ensure BDC remains relevant to communities and brings value.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES Supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs to achieve their ambitions - Proactively develop and maintain strong relationships with external organizations and individuals involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem to understand community needs
- Promote BDC's credibility, image and notoriety with the Indigenous communities.
- Act as a referral point for Indigenous businesses, leveraging in-market activities and long-term relationships, and guide entrepreneurs and partners to the right BDC offering / internal contact.
- Collaborate with account managers to identify opportunities to support indigenous entrepreneurs and provide expert advice on their business needs.
- Ensure geographic coverage, identifying and capitalizing on opportunities to help Indigenous businesses thrive.
- Foster Trust-Based relationships with indigenous entrepreneurs, recognizing the importance of understanding and addressing their unique needs to support their business growth.
- Deliver exceptional customer care, recognizing the sensitivities of the relationship and the importance of continued support. Handle sensitive information with integrity and a commitment to confidentiality.
Enrich BDC's understanding of Indigenous communities - Communicate effectively with all levels of the organization including senior executives, clients, and land shareholders.
- Act as a subject matter expert in research and development of key understandings of Indigenous communities.
- Internally educate and engage all BDC client-facing employees and the operational support team to fully understand the importance and nuances of the strategy to create and maintain a strong client and prospect base.
- Contribute to the growth of BDC's strategy by participating in the development of tailored solutions for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
- Ensure the continuous dissemination and coordination of information and actions to diversity champions, for the benefit of clients and prospects.
- Support the project teams with establishing training opportunities.
Conduct business development to help Indigenous entrepreneurs achieve their ambitions - Work in collaboration with the different partners (Core Business Center, Virtual Banking Center, Partnership, etc.) to identify new business opportunities.
- Use your network of contacts to identify and pursue business opportunities.
Keep up to date on Indigenous needs and trends - Actively participate in Indigenous conferences within the region to stay connected with community needs and developments.
- Keep abreast of key economic trends that are likely to impact Indigenous entrepreneurs.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Main qualifications:
- Excellent relationship building, communication and presentation skills.
- Strong understanding of the barriers and opportunities for indigenous entrepreneurs.
- Commitment in promoting economic empowerment and development within the indigenous communities.
- Bachelor's degree in administration or any field deemed equivalent or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
- More than 5 years of experience in a financial institution in business development or any other experience deemed relevant.
- Ability to analyze financial statements, synthesize information, and communicate effectively.
- Strong leadership abilities, inspiring employees to become diversity champions.
- Passion for issues affecting Small and Medium Entrepreneurs and good knowledge of economic development policies and practices.
- Self-identified Indigenous individual
- Excellent ability to speak and write in English - ability to speak in French is an asset.
