Director, Business Development Bank of Canada

Annual retainer:                                              $5,300 - $6,200

Directors who serve as Chair of a Committee or who sit on a transactional Committee receive an additional annual retainer within the range $1,000 - $1,500.

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) aims to support Canadian entrepreneurs in their efforts to build strong, growing businesses and, in doing so, contribute to creating a more competitive, prosperous, and inclusive Canada. The BDC takes risks in supporting entrepreneurs in a way that is complementary to services offered by the private sector. Its main objectives are to: (i) Increase access and reach: BDC is striving to reach more entrepreneurs, especially underserved and diverse entrepreneurs, and have a greater impact on their businesses in good times and bad, (ii) Drive SME competitiveness: providing the capital and advice for businesses to innovate, increase productivity and expand, which are crucial for their long-term success, and (iii) Provide an excellent client experience: to meet the needs of entrepreneurs and serve them better, BDC must continue creating a faster, simpler and more personalized experience for clients across all channels.

To provide the best possible support to Canadian entrepreneurs, the BDC must invest in people and ensure that they have the tools needed to succeed. To do so, they strive to hire and retain talented, engaged and diverse employees. It is through differing perspectives and experiences that the BDC is able to grow, innovate and ultimately have a greater impact on Canadian entrepreneurs.

The Board of Directors is composed of up to 13 members, of which up to 12 members come from the private sector, including the Chairperson. BDC's President and CEO is also a member of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors oversees the Corporation's activities. Under the direction of the Chairperson, the Board ensures a tone of integrity and ethics and establishes the highest standards of corporate governance. In this regard it ensures that appropriate systems of governance, leadership and stewardship are in place to enable BDC's management to lead the organization effectively and to act in an advisory capacity to the President and CEO. This includes, but is not limited to, approving the strategic orientation of BDC, succession planning, the annual corporate plan, the risk management and capital management framework, ensuring they are aligned with best practices, ensuring the integrity of financial statements, and overseeing the compliance program, conduct, culture, and values.

Diversity and Official Languages

We are committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace that supports one’s dignity, self-esteem and the ability to work on one’s full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.

Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of a visible minority group.

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing applicants. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language.

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant discipline (business, finance, Master of Business Administration, Information technology) or an acceptable combination of equivalent education, job-related training and/or experience;


• Experience serving as a member of a board of directors for a public or private sector organization;


• Experience in implementing modern corporate governance principles and best practices in a culture of accountability and transparency;


• Experience in organisational and digital transformation, including building a client centric organisation;


• Experience in at least one of the following fields:
  
  
  
  • Banking. Experience in the banking industry Including Senior level responsibilities in commercial or investment banking;
  
  
  • Technology. Experience with digital transformation, technology, innovation, digital economy and fintech including the implementation of large IT projects and adoption of technology enabled business processes. Experience with cyber security processes;
  
  
  • Venture Capital. Senior level responsibilities as an investment professional in a large investment firm managing investments in private equity, venture capital and/or mezzanine debt in the Canadian venture capital ecosystem. Experience on a board investment committee for a large corporation;
  
  
  • Human Resources. Experience as a Chief Human Resources Officer in managing the Human Resources function of a large corporation or experience on a Board of Directors HR committee for a medium to large sized corporation. Expertise in determining Human Resources strategies in order to reach corporate objectives. Expertise in attracting, hiring, training and retaining appropriate resources and in setting principles and policies for succession planning. Extensive experience with respect to compensation and incentive plans for large organizations;
  
  
  • Pension. Experience with managing or overseeing a pension fund and familiarity with asset allocation, choice of fund managers, and defined benefit programs;
  
  
  • Legal. Experience in M&A transaction as a practicing attorney acting as a senior partner of a national firm. Extensive transactional experience with financing, investments, private equity, venture capital or subordinated debt;
  
  
  • Audit. Financial expert and CPA. Experience with internal controls, data governance and oversight of compliance programs. Experience on an Audit committee of a large private or public company.
  
  
  
  


• Experience in economic empowerment of under-represented groups such as women, new Canadians and Indigenous peoples would be considered an asset; and


• Experience identifying and evaluating climate-specific risks, related to corporate oversight and strategy would be an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate and activities of the Business Development Bank of Canada, as well as the legislative framework within which it operates;


• Knowledge of sound corporate governance and management principles and practices;


• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the chairperson, the board of directors and the President/Chief Executive Officer of a corporation;


• Sound knowledge of the Canadian business sector – the key leaders, emerging trends and competitive forces, and challenges and opportunities for small and medium enterprises


• Financial literacy;


• Demonstrated ability to anticipate, assess and address operational and business risks, particularly as they relate to complex financial transactions, adoption of technology, innovation, environment and corporate social responsibility;


• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other Board members and the Business Development Bank of Canada’s partners and stakeholders;


• Ability to exercise sound judgment and significant decision-making skills in analyzing and resolving complex contract and business matters;


• Ability to demonstrate strong ethics and integrity in meeting the Business Development Bank of Canada’s mandate and in promoting ethical conduct and the organization’s values; and


• Superior communication skills, both oral and written.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Superior interpersonal skills


• Sound judgement


• High ethical standards and integrity


• Tact and diplomacy


• Initiative

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• Appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout their appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website under the Forms and reference material.


• All appointees are subject to the Conflicts of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website.


• Appointees must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviours in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity, to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values and expected behaviours for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles in a positive and active manner.


• No individual is eligible to be appointed or to continue as a director if the individual is (a) neither a Canadian citizen nor a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; (b) a Canadian citizen who is not ordinarily resident in Canada; (c) a permanent resident, within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, who has been ordinarily resident in Canada for more than one year after first becoming eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship; (d) a member of the Senate or House of Commons or a member of the legislature of a province; or (e) employed in the public service of a province (statutory).


• You are willing to travel across Canada, as required.


• You are willing to commit 25 – 30 days per year to Board business.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

A list of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

How to Apply

Review of applications (more information available here) will begin on October 5, 2022. Candidates should apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. After this date, your application will be retained and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Instructions on how to apply for an appointment opportunity can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.