MANAGING PARTNER, DEFENCE DEEP TECH VENTURE FUND

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 personal days, sick days as necessary, and our offices are closed from December 25 to January 1

• A hybrid work 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

BDC Capital’s Defence Deep Tech Venture Fund is part of BDC's Defence Platform. It will invest in early-stage ventures, which develop deep technologies that transform how business is done across multiple sectors. The fund will invest exclusively in companies with a defence or dual-use strategy. In addition, the Defence Deep Tech Venture Fund will act as a leader in the Canadian VC ecosystem, connecting key stakeholders across the deep tech value chain to leverage non-dilutive sources of funding, procurement and tech development support. Main sectors of focus would include, but are not limited to: Quantum, Foundational AI, Photonics, Autonomy, Electronics and Materials.

The Fund would work closely with various departments across the federal government to help provide them with a market watch function, while accessing technical expertise & government labs. The Fund will also build and maintain solid working relationships with key ecosystem stakeholders, including accelerators and incubators.

The Managing Partner heads the fund, standing ultimately responsible for building the team, the fund strategy, portfolio performance, and BDC Capital’s relationships. 

In this role, you own the success of a fund whose investments ultimately shape the future of Canadian economy. This position requires a seasoned perspective on investments and deal-making, top-notch ability to build partnerships within the investment community, and strong leadership to drive a qualified team. Your top priority is to present BDC Capital as a first-class investor to companies, corporates, LPs and other GPs, driving first-class deal flow and partnerships.

CHALLENGES TO BE MET

Deal Sourcing

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

• Build and leverage connections in the investment communities in Canada and globally to drive high quality deal flow

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

• Promote the Fund, BDC Capital and BDC by speaking at conferences, publishing thought leadership material and promoting networking opportunities

• Position BDC as a first-class GP and Fund manager

Deal Making

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

• Delegate as 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 exist strategies

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

• Lead the socialization of deals at relevant Investment Committees’ meetings, presenting investment opportunities, justifying their viability, and obtaining buy-in

Portfolio Management & Support

• Provide updates and reporting on the fund’s activity to the shareholder

• Provide hands-on, value-add 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

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

Platform Building

• Stand responsible as the official general manager of the Fund, organizing it internally and leading relationship with BDC’s senior management, ensuring necessary resources for the Fund’s continuity and success

• Lead the successful Fund launch and maintenance by developing the fund’s investment thesis, strategy, and tactical approach

• Lead the management cycle, activities, identifying internally, hiring externally, and developing high-quality team members

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

• Act as a leader, sharing expertise, market knowledge, and exercising judgment and team spirit in decisions affecting the BDC Capital platform

• Review, recommend and approve account updates, amendments, and capital calls

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Typical Background

• 15+ 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 bank, accounting firm

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

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

• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Economics, Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM). Other degrees are viable, if the professional 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 in business administration (MBA)

  • Other STEM Master’s or PhD degree

  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

• A successful track-record of investments in venture capital or private equity

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

• Solid understanding of financial statements and operational topics, easily translating them into insights about the business

• Strong analytics skills to lead teams in building robust financial models that include sensitivity analysis and scenario modeling, as well as performing complex data analysis. Any other analytic tools and techniques are an asset

• Strong knowledge of deep technologies and of the defence sector, with a good ability to help portfolio companies develop and execute a dual-use strategy

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

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

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

• Technology skills with wide application, such as coding, chemistry or electronics can be an asset

• Operational knowledge of any technical industry is an asset

• Bilingualism in French and English is an asset, particularly in presenting results and information to an executive-level audience

Behavioral Traits

• Leadership to inspire and drive an experienced team towards excellence and positive results

• Well-intentioned and generous attitude to coach and mentor team member at progressing in their personal and professional development

• Ability to work collaboratively and build positive relationships with stakeholders within and outside BDC, 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

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 [email protected].

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