ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT FUNDS - LIFE SCIENCES

BDC • Montreal, QC

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Government Funds team at BDC manages capital on behalf of the Government of Canada to strengthen and grow Canada’s venture capital market. This includes deploying significant capital under various initiatives like VCAP, VCCI, and Renewed VCCI, totaling $1.2B AUM, with a focus on life sciences. BDC is now deploying the $1B Growth Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (Growth VCCI), a landmark platform focused on scaling Canada’s most promising funds and innovative companies, including an allocation of $200M in life sciences. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of investment, policy, and ecosystem development, with direct exposure to prominent Canadian fund managers and contributing to a national priority initiative shaping Canada’s innovation economy, with a dedicated focus on strengthening Canada’s life sciences venture capital ecosystem.

As an Associate Director focused on Life Sciences, you will combine investment judgment, governance expertise, and relationship management to support the deployment and oversight of government-backed venture capital programs, with a primary focus on life sciences funds and investments. In addition to investment and portfolio responsibilities, you will play a key role in sector advocacy, contributing to the development and promotion of a stronger life sciences venture capital ecosystem in Canada. This includes engaging with industry participants, supporting thought leadership, and helping shape program approaches for the sector.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific field (e.g., life sciences, biotechnology, medicine, pharmacy, or related disciplines), ideally completed by a degree or MBA in finance or a related discipline (e.g. commerce, business administration, accounting, law) and/or or an equivalent combination of academic training and relevant professional experience.
• 5+ years of experience in venture capital, private equity, or a related field, with direct exposure to deal-making at the fund and/or company level, as well as investment underwriting, structuring, business and legal negotiations and execution.
• Experience in governance roles, including participation in LPACs and/or Board-level or equivalent oversight experience.
• Relevant experience or strong exposure to the life sciences sector (e.g., biotech, medtech, healthcare), including understanding of its market dynamics and ecosystem.
• Experience contributing to or engaging in industry advocacy, ecosystem development, or thought leadership.
• Understanding of fund structures, LPAs, governance frameworks, and performance dynamics.
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships with fund managers and institutional partners.
• Strong analytical and investment judgment.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including the ability to represent BDC externally.
• High level of rigour, organization, and attention to detail.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Collaborative mindset with a commitment to team development and excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead investment processes across fund commitments in the context of competitive calls for expressions of interest, with a focus on life sciences fund managers.
• Contribute to deal underwriting, structuring, negotiation, and closing processes, including engagement in legal negotiations from a business perspective and alignment on terms with fund managers.
• Serve as a representative on portfolio funds’ LPACs, with a focus on life sciences investments.
• Monitor fund performance, governance, and compliance with fund agreements and program requirements.
• Provide strategic insight and constructive challenge to enhance fund outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with life sciences fund managers, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders.
• Actively contribute to BDC’s visibility and leadership in the life sciences VC ecosystem, including participation in events, panels, and industry initiatives.
• Support the development of sector insights, positioning materials, and thought leadership related to life sciences investing in Canada.
• Contribute to identifying opportunities to strengthen the life sciences venture capital asset class, including emerging managers and capital gaps.
• Contribute to the delivery and continuous improvement of program frameworks, processes, and governance standards.
• Support the preparation of quarterly and annual reporting, performance dashboards, and stakeholder communications.
• Ensure high standards of rigour, accuracy, and timeliness in all reporting outputs.
• Mentor and support junior team members.
• Contribute to a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Share knowledge and insights to increase team’s understanding of the life sciences sector.

Benefits

• Flexible and competitive benefits
• Employee Savings and Investment Plan where BDC matches part of your voluntary contributions
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• $750 wellness and health care spending account
• Paid vacation each year
• Five personal days
• Sick days as necessary
• Offices are closed from December 25 to January 1
• Hybrid work model
• Opportunities for learning, training and development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior