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Directors, Business Development Bank of Canada,

Appointment Opportunities

We know that our country is stronger — and our government more effective — when decision-makers reflect Canada’s diversity. Moving forward, the Government of Canada will use an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous Canadians 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 positions:

Directors (part-time positions)

Business Development Bank of Canada

The Business Development Bank of Canada 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 investing, financing and advisory services. To address the challenges currently faced by Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises, the Business Development Bank of Canada 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.

The Business Development Bank of Canada 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 Canadians, Northern and rural entrepreneurs.

Since 1944 under various corporate forms, the Business Development Bank of Canada has been Canada’s development bank.

  • The Business Development Bank of Canada’s purpose is to support Canadian entrepreneurship and it must do so in a financially sustainable manner. The Business Development Bank of Canada is a sophisticated financial institution that has $26 billion committed and since 1997 has declared and paid approximately $480 million in dividends to the Government of Canada. It currently serves, directly and indirectly, approximately 40,000 entrepreneurs, at all stages of their development, through Business Development Bank of Canada Financing, Business Development Bank of Canada Capital and Business Development Bank of Canada Advisory Services at 102 business centres in all regions of Canada.
  • Business Development Bank of Canada 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;
  • Business Development Bank of Canada 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
  • Business Development Bank of Canada Advisory offers entrepreneurs quality consulting, advisory, educational and connection services to support their growth and competitiveness.

The Board of Directors is responsible for the stewardship of the Business Development Bank of Canada, accountable to the shareholder and reports to Parliament through the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and the Minister of Small Business and Tourism.

As the steward of the corporation, 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;
  • ensures the Business Development Bank of Canada is identifying and managing its major risks and monitors the progress of action plans;
  • ensures the integrity of the financial statements, projections, and audit results;
  • reviews the Business Development Bank of Canada’s internal controls and management information systems; and
  • manages the President and CEO, and his performance.

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

Candidates must apply online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 1, 2017, via the Governor in Council Appointments website. 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: $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.

Official Languages and Diversity

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing candidates for these positions. 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 Canadians, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.

To be considered for one of these positions, 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 equivalent education, job-related training or experience;
  • Experience serving as a member of a board of directors for a public or private sector organization or as a senior executive answerable to stakeholders in the public or private sector;
  • Experience in implementing modern corporate governance principles and best practices in a culture of accountability and transparency;
  • Experience in economic empowerment of under-represented groups such as women, new Canadians and Indigenous peoples would be considered an asset; and
  • Experience in at least one of the following:
    • Small business owner or serial entrepreneur with experience such as scaling a firm, acquisitions, or international expansion, in sectors such as Information, Communications and Technology; Life Sciences and/or Energy/Cleantech;
    • Senior executive of a large commercial corporation in Canada;
    • Risk management leadership at a Canadian financial institution, ideally as a Chief Risk Officer or direct report or a member of a risk committee of a large organization;
    • Senior level responsibilities as an investment professional, including extensive experience in completing and managing investments in private equity, venture capital and/or mezzanine debt, including in the Information, Communications and Technology; Life Sciences and/or Energy/Cleantech sectors; or
    • Practicing attorney with significant financing, investing, transactional and corporate experience.

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

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;
  • Knowledge of the financial management requirements, particularly risk management, of a large financial services organization;
  • 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 business risks, particularly as they relate to complex financial transactions 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 analysing 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 the organization’s values; and
  • Financial literacy.

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:

  • Informed Judgment: The relevant experience and ability to provide wise, thoughtful counsel, to analyze, ask relevant questions at the strategic level, consider the different stakeholders’ perspectives, and understand business and global issues while addressing underlying concerns.
  • Integrity and Accountability: The highest ethical standards and integrity, be willing to act on and remain accountable for Board decisions, meet the accountabilities outlined in the Business Development Bank of Canada Act, the by-laws and the rules of the Board and see oneself as serving the interests of Canadians.
  • Impact and Influence: The awareness of the impact of organizational issues, policies and decisions on public interest and concern. The capacity to be sensitive to the differing needs and agendas of multiple stakeholders and to act to convince or influence others in order to have a specific impact or effect.
  • Trust and Commitment: Respect and openness for the views of others, encouragement of open discussions, and commitment to excellence in the Business Development Bank of Canada’s role in improving the competitiveness of Canadian businesses, its mandate and its values.
  • Cultural Fit: A commitment to collaboration, sharing experiences and team work.

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 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 up to 24 days per year to Board business.

If you are appointed to one of these positions:

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 these positions. 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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