Business Development Bank of Canada

SENIOR BUSINESS ADVISOR, AI

Business Services
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience in management consulting or technology advisory roles.
  • Proven track record in advising senior executives on strategy and operations.
  • Experience with practical applications of artificial intelligence in business contexts.
  • Strong foundational understanding of AI concepts without hands-on development experience.
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills with executive presence.
  • Capable of leading complex advisory projects with multiple stakeholders.
  • Experience working with small and medium enterprises across various sectors.
  • Bilingual in French and English, both spoken and written.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a senior advisor on AI strategy and readiness for entrepreneurs and management teams.
  • Lead assessments of data maturity and operational readiness for AI initiatives.
  • Identify and validate AI use cases that provide measurable business value.
  • Guide executives on AI risk, ethics, and governance in alignment with organizational values.
  • Oversee both standardized and tailored AI advisory mandates to ensure quality and impact.
  • Collaborate with specialists and external partners to facilitate AI solutions delivery.
  • Ensure effective client adoption through targeted change management efforts.

Benefits

  • Professional development through engagement with cutting-edge AI technologies.
  • Opportunity to influence AI adoption across a range of industries.
  • Engagement with a diverse clientele and innovative project mandates.
  • Supportive environment for advancing AI literacy among peers and clients.
Full Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW


The AI Business Advisor serves as a trusted strategic advisor to Canadian entrepreneurs seeking to leverage artificial intelligence to improve performance, productivity, and long‑term competitiveness. Operating at the intersection of business strategy, operations, and emerging technology, this role helps clients move from AI curiosity to practical, value‑driven adoption.


The Advisor works with SMEs across industries to assess AI readiness, identify high‑impact use cases, define responsible AI strategies, and oversee the delivery of AI‑enabled advisory mandates. The role emphasizes business outcomes, governance, and adoption rather than technical model development, ensuring AI initiatives are aligned with client strategy, data maturity, and operational realities.


CHALLENGES TO BE MET


Client Advisory & Engagement Leadership

  • Act as a senior advisor to entrepreneurs and management teams on AI strategy, readiness, and adoption, translating complex AI concepts into clear business decisions and priorities.
  • Lead diagnostic engagements assessing data maturity, operational processes, and organizational readiness for AI adoption.
  • Identify, prioritize, and validate AI use cases that deliver measurable business value (e.g., productivity, revenue growth, cost optimization, customer experience).
  • Provide executive‑level guidance on AI risk, ethics, governance, and responsible use in alignment with organizational values and regulatory expectations.

Mandate Delivery & Oversight

  • Lead and oversee the delivery of standard and customized AI advisory mandates, ensuring quality, impact, and alignment with advisory methodologies.
  • Coordinate with internal specialists, delivery consultants, and external partners as required to execute AI‑enabled solutions.
  • Ensure strong client adoption through change management, capability transfer, and executive alignment.
  • Maintain accountability for mandate outcomes, timelines, scope, and client satisfaction.

AI Strategy, Governance & Thought Leadership

  • Support the development and evolution of AI advisory offerings, frameworks, and tools, incorporating best practices in responsible and ethical AI use.
  • Contribute to internal thought leadership, training materials, and workshops to build AI literacy among advisors and clients.
  • Represent the AI advisory practice in business development activities, client presentations, and selected external events.
  • Stay current on AI trends, platforms, and the Canadian AI ecosystem to inform client advice and solution design.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR


Qualifications & Experience


Required

  • 8+ years of experience in management consulting, technology advisory, digital transformation, or related strategic advisory roles.
  • Proven experience advising senior executives on business strategy, operations, or technology‑enabled transformation.
  • Demonstrated experience applying artificial intelligence in a business context (strategy, use‑case design, adoption, or governance).
  • Strong understanding of AI concepts (e.g., machine learning, NLP, generative AI) at a conceptual and applied business level (not hands‑on model development).
  • Excellent communication and executive presence, with the ability to influence and guide decision‑makers.
  • Proven ability to lead complex advisory mandates and manage multiple stakeholders.
  • Experience working with SMEs across diverse industries.
  • Bilingualism in French and English, spoken and written, in a professional context

Preferred

  • Exposure to data strategy, analytics, automation, or enterprise systems.
  • Familiarity with AI governance, ethics, and risk management frameworks.

Key Competencies

  • Strategic thinking and business acumen
  • AI and emerging technology fluency
  • Client advisory and executive facilitation
  • Change management and adoption leadership
  • Project and mandate delivery excellence
  • Collaboration and influence across internal and external stakeholders

About Business Development Bank of Canada

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is a federal Crown corporation that provides financing, advisory services, and capital to Canadian businesses. The bank was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. BDC offers a range of financial services, including loans, venture capital, and consulting services. The bank focuses on small and medium-sized businesses, and has a particular emphasis on supporting entrepreneurs and startups. BDC has offices across Canada and works with businesses in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, technology, and services.
Learn more about Business Development Bank of Canada
Size
2,000 employees
Industry

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