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Chairperson, Business Development Bank of Canada,

Appointment Opportunity

We know that our country is stronger — and our government more effective — when decision-makers reflect Canada’s diversity. The Government of Canada will use an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous peoples and minority groups are properly represented in positions of leadership. We will continue to search for Canadians who reflect the values that we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. Together, we will build a government as diverse as Canada.

The overarching goal of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development is to help Canadian businesses grow, innovate and export so that they can create good quality jobs and wealth for Canadians.

The overarching goal of the Minister of Small Business and Tourism is to help small businesses grow through trade and innovation, and to promote increased tourism to Canada.

The Government of Canada is currently seeking applications from diverse and talented Canadians from across the country who are interested in the following position:

Chairperson (part-time position)

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 (SMEs) by providing investing, financing and advisory services. To address the challenges currently faced by Canadian SMEs, BDC structures its approach around three strategic objectives: increasing access to capital and advice for entrepreneurs; accelerating innovation, growth and productivity for targeted entrepreneurs; and improving the Canadian entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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

Since 1944 under various corporate forms, BDC has been Canada’s development bank.

  • BDC’s purpose is to support Canadian entrepreneurship and it must do so in a financially sustainable manner. BDC is a sophisticated financial institution that has $26 billion committed and since 1997 has declared and paid approximately $548.8 million in dividends to the Government of Canada. It currently serves, directly and indirectly, over 42,000 entrepreneurs, at all stages of their development, through BDC Financing, BDC Capital and BDC Advisory at 110 business centres in all regions of Canada and extends its reach through partnerships;
  • BDC Financing supports entrepreneurs from start-up to expansion through all economic cycles with varied debt financing offerings including direct and indirect lending, and leveraging partnerships;
  • BDC Capital provides venture capital investment to entrepreneurs and nascent Canadian technology and innovative businesses to help them build into commercial, globally-focused, growth-oriented companies as well as mezzanine financing and equity; and
  • BDC Advisory offers entrepreneurs quality consulting, advisory, educational and connection services to support their growth and competitiveness.

The Chairperson leads a Board of Directors comprised of up to 12 members from the private sector plus BDC's President and oversees the Corporation's activities. Under the direction of the Chairperson, the Board ensures that appropriate systems of governance, leadership and stewardship are in place to enable BDC's management to lead the organization effectively, to act in an advisory capacity to the President and CEO, and to serve as the key link between the BDC and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and the Minister of Small Business and Tourism.

The Board plays a pivotal role in setting the strategic direction of BDC, overseeing major and emerging risks and in ensuring that public policy objectives are met in the most effective manner. The Board and its Committees are responsible for reviewing and approving BDC's annual Corporate Plan and monitoring the Corporation's performance. The Board also monitors the performance and effectiveness of the CEO and senior management and assesses its own effectiveness in fulfilling its responsibilities.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the Business Development Bank of Canada's website.

Review of applications will begin on October 30, 2017. 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 Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Senior Personnel), Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Per Diem: $410 - $485

Annual Retainer: $10,500 - $12,400

Official Languages and Diversity

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing candidates for this position. 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 candidates who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.

To be considered for this position, please provide examples from your career that clearly demonstrate how you meet the following requirements in your application:

Education and Experience

  • A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study or an acceptable combination of education, job-related training, and/or experience;
  • Experience serving as a member of a board of directors for a public or private sector organization preferably as Chairperson;
  • Experience in governance principles and best practices in a culture of accountability and transparency;
  • Experience in the economic empowerment of under-represented groups such as women, new Canadians and Indigenous peoples would be considered an asset;
  • Experience dealing with public policy issues in a business context would be considered an asset; and
  • Experience in at least one of the following:
    • Experience dealing with entrepreneurs in a variety of industries and sectors across Canada, senior government officials and corporate stakeholders;
    • Experience as a small business owner or serial entrepreneur including scaling a firm, acquisitions, or international expansion, in sectors such as Information, Communications and Technology; Life Sciences and/or Energy/Cleantech;
    • Significant financial, investment and business experience with a proven track record as a Chief Executive Officer or senior executive of a major national or international enterprise, preferably from the financial services sector.

If you are selected for an interview, the following criteria will be assessed:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of the mandate and activities of BDC as well as the legislative framework within which it operates;
  • Knowledge of financial and human resources management, strategic corporate planning, monitoring, and evaluation of corporate performance and of corporate governance, including good governance and best practices;
  • Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the Chairperson, the Board of Directors, the President and corporate governance principles and best practices including fundamental accountabilities to the Government of Canada as Shareholder;
  • Sound knowledge of the Canadian business sector – the key leaders, emerging trends and competitive forces, and the challenges and opportunities faced by small and medium enterprises;
  • Financial expertise;
  • Ability to promote the organization’s mandate and values;
  • Ability to anticipate emerging issues and trends and develop strategies to enable the Board to seize opportunities and solve problems, particularly as they relate to complex financial transactions and corporate social responsibility;
  • Ability to develop and maintain strong and effective relationships with other Board members, the BDC's management, the Ministers, the Ministers' Offices, the Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and key stakeholders;
  • Ability to foster debate and discussion amongst Board Members in an open and trusting environment to facilitate consensus and manage conflicts, should they arise;
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and excellent decision-making skills in analyzing and resolving complex contractual and business matters; and
  • Superior communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to manage communications with a variety of stakeholders.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, we will contact your references to verify how you have demonstrated the Experience requirements and the following Personal Attributes in your current and recently held positions:

  • Sound judgment
  • High ethical standards, integrity and accountability
  • Superior interpersonal skills
  • Dynamic and energetic
  • Tact and diplomacy
  • Trust and Commitment

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

In your application, it will be important that you confirm you meet the following requirements:

  • No individual is eligible to be appointed or to continue as President, Chairperson or 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 must be willing to commit up to 32 days per year for Board meetings, including preparation and travel; and you are willing to travel across Canada, as required.

If you are appointed to this position:

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

You will be subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner’s website.

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

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

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