ASSOCIATE, STRONGNORTH FUND - Toronto/Vancouver

BDC • Vancouver, BC

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

Associates join BDC’s StrongNorth fund as an early specialist in investment finance, to lead key parts of the investment process and manage our current portfolio. You will work on investments in defense, dual-use, and deep technology sectors aligned with sovereign capability priorities, requiring integration of technical, financial, and strategic analysis. In this role, you will lead one or a few simultaneous investment analysis workstreams, support the team in networking activities, and monitor a portfolio of investments that ultimately shape the future of the Canadian economy. You will cover strategic topics such as markets, industries, ecosystems, and competition, as well as operational ones, such as financials, management, and products. You are expected to combine sharp analytic skills and business sense to leverage the input of experts on a variety of market and industrial subjects.

Requirements

• Undergraduate or graduate training in engineering, applied science, or technical domains (STEM)
• Strong financial acumen, ideally demonstrated through experience in venture capital, private equity, startup investing, or transaction analysis
• Progress toward or completion of a CFA designation or equivalent capital markets training
• Exposure to defense, aerospace, national security, or government innovation ecosystems (e.g., DND/CAF, NATO, CDI, dual-use technologies)
• 3 to 5 years of experience in a role involving structured thinking, financial analysis, and technical expertise.
• Strong proficiency in Excel, particularly in building financial models that include sensitivity analysis and scenario modeling, as well as performing data analysis.
• Good ability to problem-solve using structured thinking and communication techniques
• Working proficiency with other MS-suite applications, mainly Word and PowerPoint
• Ability to intervene pertinently in the context of a presentation to executive audiences
• Ability to write an Investment Memo that is clear, concise, and eloquent
• This position’s duties require access to confidential information. As a condition of employment, the position therefore requires a "secret" security clearance. The selected candidate will therefore have to submit to an investigation by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Satisfactory results are a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates who bring a combination of technical depth + investment capability + exposure to defense ecosystems are especially well aligned with StrongNorth’s mandate.
• Experience participating in or evaluating investments through venture capital, startups, incubators, accelerators, or innovation (especially deep-tech and/or defense related) programs, is an asset.
• Experience in defense, sovereignty, and dual-use innovation
• Ability to operate at the intersection of technology, finance, and policy, translating complex systems into actionable investment decisions
• 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
• Degrees in Commerce, Economics, or other disciplines are also considered where paired with strong analytical and technical capabilities.
• A post-graduate degree or equivalent certification, completed or in course, 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)
• Any other analytic tools and techniques are an asset
• Any technology skills with wide application, such as coding, chemistry, electronics are an asset
• Operational knowledge of any technical industry is an asset
• Bilingualism in French and English is an asset
• Supportive, helpful attitude – willingness to proactively identify gaps and step in to fill them
• Motivation and ability to do focused, independent work, in the context of a team
• Ability to work collaboratively and build positive relationships with stakeholders
• Continuous learning attitude, with maturity to take feedback constructively
• Openness to share knowledge and advice with less experienced colleagues
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment, where objectives must be met within tight deadlines

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the deal pipeline, quarterly/bi-annual reports, and providing financial analysis
• Support other team members as appropriate during the development stage of an investment
• Ensure that the investment research files, business plans and other collected information are maintained in conformity with BDC’s policies and procedures
• Ensure that new and existing investments files are properly documented by monitoring investments, amendments, and disbursements, including financial analysis and forecasting
• Engage with entrepreneurs, investors and company representatives at occasional investment community or industry events, sharing relevant information with the team
• Maintain involvement in associations within the investment community, and keep abreast of significant developments, activities, and initiatives in the industry
• Stay on top of the current portfolio, identifying companies that are likely to raise funds for new and follow-on investments, and sharing insights with the senior team members
• Perform market research and scouting to inform the fund’s investment strategy, identifying emerging markets, verticals, technologies, or companies
• Conduct initial business plan reviews, support initial communications with entrepreneurs and referring sources, prepare initial interview memoranda and recommendations to pursue or decline
• Lead a workstream of due diligence on companies’ market, competition, management, sales, products, cap table, and anything that is relevant to determining potential business value and exit strategies
• Determine and validate performance metrics, creating valuation models, forecasts and financial pro formas
• Draft Investment Memos, most often focusing on the Financials and Market sections
• Support Partners leading a deal, during presentations to the Investment Board
• Ability to understand and assess complex technical systems, working effectively with engineers, scientists, and domain experts to evaluate technologies, products, and services
• Conduct reference calls with competitors, clients, industry experts, and prospective company’s current or past employees
• Develop and maintain appropriate information resources and subject matter expertise in various industries, markets, and business trends
• Monitor portfolio performance, comparing performance to forecasts and models, and relaying potential opportunities and issues to management
• Participate occasionally in investee board meetings as an observer, keeping abreast of developments and escalating relevant information to Partners
• Assist investees with introductions to potential suppliers, investors, and employees

Benefits

• 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
• paid vacation each year
• five personal days
• sick days as necessary
• 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

What This Job Offers

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