Director – Board Risk Committee Chairperson, Business Development Bank of Canada

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is dedicated to supporting Canadian entrepreneurs, in line with its aspiration to be a leader in making Canadian entrepreneurs the most competitive in the world. It helps create and develop strong Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises by providing investment capital, financing and advisory services. To address the challenges currently faced by Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises, the BDC structures its approach around three strategic objectives: increasing access to capital and advice for entrepreneurs; accelerating innovation, growth and productivity for entrepreneurs; and improving the Canadian entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The BDC also plays an important role in supporting Canadian entrepreneurs through economic downturns and liquidity crises.

The BDC strongly believes in diversity and promotes inclusiveness by offering products and services across Canada tailored to meet the needs of all entrepreneurs, including women, youth, immigrants, Indigenous Canadians, and Northern and rural entrepreneurs.

The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance of the organization and ensures the highest standard of corporate governance practices. The Board is composed of 13 members, including the President and CEO and the Chairperson.

Various committees assist the Board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities.

The Board ensures a tone of integrity and ethics and establishes the highest standards of corporate governance and:

• approves the Business Development Bank of Canada’s strategic direction and Corporate Plan annually,


• ensures that BDC has the right talent and processes in place for the selection, retention, and motivation of employees, in particular the President and CEO, to enable BDC to successfully achieve its mandate,


• approves the risk management framework, stress-testing models, risk limits, capital management and action plans to ensure the Business Development Bank of Canada is identifying emerging risks, managing major risks, and maintaining an appropriate culture of risk,


• oversees capital management and alignment with best practices,


• ensures the integrity of the financial statements, projections, and audit results as well as the effectiveness and independence of the internal audit function,


• oversees BDC’s compliance program as well as its conduct, culture and values,


• reviews BDC’s internal controls and management information systems, and


• oversees the President and CEO’s objectives and performance.

Diversity and Official Languages

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. 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.

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant discipline (business, finance, Master of Business Administration) 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; and


• Experience with entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship.

• Extensive experience in very senior risk management roles at a large financial institution, including the oversight of small and medium business credit transactions, approvals, and portfolios through full business cycles;


• Experience as chairperson of a risk committee for a large organization;


• Technical and governance expertise to oversee a $35 billion portfolio including high-risk loans, venture capital, private equity and subordinated financing;


• Expertise with risk management frameworks and stress testing;


• Expertise with capital management and relevant regulatory and accounting requirements;


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


• Experience with technology, innovation, digital economy, large IT projects and adoption of technology; 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 BDC, 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;


• 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 BDC’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 BDC’s mandate and in promoting ethical conduct and the organization’s values;


• Financial literacy; and


• Superior communication skills, both oral and written.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Sound judgment, tact and diplomacy


• High ethical standards


• Superior analytical skills


• Integrity and accountability


• Strategic and innovative leader


• Emotional Intelligence


• Dependability and collegiality

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
  
  
  
  1. neither a Canadian citizen nor a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
  
  
  2. a Canadian citizen who is not ordinarily resident in Canada;
  
  
  3. 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;
  
  
  4. a member of the Senate or House of Commons or a member of the legislature of a province; or
  
  
  5. 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 will begin on August 18, 2020. Candidates must 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 Deputy 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.