PRINCIPAL/PARTNER, BLACK ENTREPRENEURS FUND - BDC Capital

We are banking at another level.

Choosing BDC as your employer means working in a healthy, inclusive, and skilled workplace that puts forward the best conditions to bring together unique teams where employees are empowered to act. It also means being at the centre of ambitious economic and financial projects to see further and to do things differently, to fuel the success of Canadian entrepreneurs.

Choosing BDC as your employer also means:

• Flexible and competitive benefits, including an Employee Savings and Investment Plan where BDC matches part of your voluntary contributions, a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, a $750 wellness and health care spending account, to name a few

• In addition to paid vacation each year, five personaldays, sick days as necessary, and our offices are closedfrom December 25 to January 1

• A hybridwork model that truly balances work and personal life

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

Explore the BDC Way in our Culture Book

POSITION OVERVIEW

BDC’s Black Entrepreneurs Fund (BEF) is the largest of its kind globally, investing in Canada's leading black entrepreneurs to drive transformative impact. The $100M fund invests alongside ecosystem partners with the objective of creating sustainable businesses within the black community.

The mission of BEF is to provide black entrepreneurs with the capital, resources, and mentorship they need to succeed. By fostering opportunities for financial growth and business development, the BEF aims to reduce economic disparities and promote equity within the business landscape. The fund supports innovative ventures that have the potential to generate significant economic and social benefits, thereby contributing to the overall prosperity of the black community and Canada as a whole.

Reporting to the Managing Director of the BEF and working collaboratively with associates and analysts, the successful candidate is an integral member of the BDC team and is involved in all aspects of the investment in portfolio management process. They will participate in the review of early-stage venture investment opportunities and assist in managing the investment portfolio.

CHALLENGES TO BE MET

Platform Building

• Support the Managing Partner in the team's general management and the design of investment vehicles that generate returns while bringing much needed equity capital to this under-represented segment of the market

• Contribute to identifying talent internally, hiring candidates externally, and developing high-quality team members

• Foster a high performing team environment within the internal fund built on trust, collaboration, and high aspirations

• Contribute to successful fund launch and maintenance by developing the fund's investment thesis, strategy, and tactical approach

• Ensure that the investment research files, business plans and other collected information are maintained in conformity with BDC's policies and procedures

• Ensure that new and existing investment files are properly documented by monitoring investments, amendments, and disbursements, including financial analysis and forecasting

Deal Sourcing

• Build and maintain wide and strong networks within the business and investment communities, raising the profile of the fund as a prime investor

• Maintain involvement in associations within the investment community, and keep abreast of significant developments, activities, and initiatives in the industry

• Attend conferences and networking activities to source opportunities on behalf of the fund, and to act as an ambassador for the fund, BDC Capital and BDC

• Support the Managing Partner in their responsibility to position BDC as a first-class General Partner and fund manager, ensuring a positive experience for external stakeholders

• Stay on top of the current portfolio, identifying companies that are likely to raise funds for new and follow-on investments, and relaying information to senior management

• Perform market research and scouting to inform the fund's investment strategy, identifying emerging markets, verticals, technologies, or companies

• Conduct initial business plan reviews, support initial communications with entrepreneurs and referring sources, prepare initial interview memoranda and recommendations to pursue or decline deals

Deal Making

• Coordinate team priorities to review, validate and execute due diligence activities

• Delegate, when appropriate, or lead complex due diligence for new and/or existing investment opportunities by orchestrating analyses such as market, competition, management, sales, products, cap table, and anything that is relevant to determining potential business value and exit strategies

• Determine and validate performance metrics, creating valuation models, forecasts and financial pro formas

• Lead the team in the production of thorough and compelling Investment Memoranda, eliciting sound rationales behind investment options and influencing the internal Investment Committee

• Prepare documents and attend relevant Investment Committees' meetings to present investment opportunities, justify their viability, and obtain buy-in

• Analyze technical documentation and/or work with technical consultants to evaluate technologies, products, and services

• Conduct management reference calls independently with competitors, clients, industry experts, and prospect company's current or past employees

• Develop and maintain appropriate information resources and subject-matter expertise in various industries, markets, and business trends

Portfolio Management & Support

• Provide hands-on, value-added support (e.g., mentoring, capital introductions) to portfolio companies to support business building while developing multiple exit options and delivering top-quartile internal rate of return over the life of the fund

• Represent the interests of the fund as a board observer or director of existing portfolio companies, actively influencing and supporting the management of portfolio companies when appropriate

• Monitor portfolio performance, comparing performance to forecasts and models, and relaying potential opportunities and issues to management

• Lead the efficient monetization of portfolio companies rolled into the fund to maximize proceeds on exit

• Assist investees with introductions to potential suppliers, investors, and employees

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Typical Background

• 10+ years of experience in a role involving structured thinking, financial analysis, and technical expertise. These profiles are likely to come from, but are not limited to:

  • Finance roles: venture capital, private equity, investment banking, accounting firms

  • Operator roles: technology startup, industry-leading corporation, industry specialist

  • Advisory roles: consulting, law, corporate strategy, corporate development

• A successful track-record of investments in venture capital and early-stage investments

• Bachelor's degree in Commerce, Economics, Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM). Other degrees are viable, if the candidate has strong analytical skills

• A post-graduate degree or equivalent certification is valuable. Typical post-graduate credentials are likely to be, but are not limited to:

  • Master's degree in business administration (MBA)

  • Other STEM Master's or PhD degree

  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Technical Knowledge

• Expert understanding of the deal process, from sourcing to due diligence, to portfolio management

• Ability to build a strong network in the Canadian and international investment ecosystems, sourcing deal prospects and partnership opportunities with other funds and investors

• Excellent ability to problem-solve using structured thinking and communication techniques

• Excellent ability to use other MS suite applications efficiently, mainly Word and PowerPoint

• Strong skills in Excel, particularly in building financial models that include sensitivity analysis and scenario modelling, as well as performing data analysis. Any other analytic tools and techniques are an asset

• Ability to intervene pertinently in the context of a presentation to executive audiences

• Ability to write and to coach a team at writing an Investment Memo that is clear, concise, and eloquent

• Any technology skills with wide application, such as coding, context and/or prompt engineering, use of AI tools are an asset

• Operational knowledge of any technical industry is an asset

• Bilingualism in French and English is an asset

Behavioral Traits

• Leadership to inspire and drive a team towards excellence and positive results

• Well-intentioned and generous attitude to coach and mentor team members to progress in their personal and professional developments

• Motivation and ability to do focused, independent work, in the context of a team

• Ability to work collaboratively and build positive relationships with stakeholders within and outside the firm, with a sensible approach to vertical and horizontal relationships

• Interpersonal polish and strong business communication, effectively influencing executive and operational audiences

• Continuous learning attitude, with maturity to give and take feedback constructively

• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment, where objectives must be met within tight deadlines

• Ability to thrive in a lean team structure with significant independence and responsibility

Proudly one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible environment where all employees can thrive and feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work. If you require an accommodation to complete your application, please do not hesitate to contact us at accessibility@bdc.ca.

While we appreciate all applications, we advise that only the candidates selected to participate in the recruitment process will be contacted.