JOB POSTING
DIRECTOR, CENTRE FOR IMPACT INVESTING
ABOUT MaRS
MaRS works with partners to catalyze, accelerate and amplify innovation. We support
entrepreneurs starting and growing global businesses. Together, we are building
Canada’s knowledge economy. The MaRS Centre, a convergence innovation facility, is
located in Toronto’s Discovery District. For more information, please visit
ABOUT THE CENTRE FOR IMPACT INVESTING
Building upon the foundational work of the Canadian Task Force on Social Finance,
which was supported by Social Innovation Generation (SiG) and MaRS, the Centre for
Impact Investing is a national social finance hub dedicated to advancing impact investing
in Canada. The MaRS Centre for Impact Investing will increase awareness, develop
and share knowledge and expand the effective application of social finance, by
catalyzing new partnerships, mobilizing new capital, attracting and developing talent,
and stimulating innovation focused on tackling social and environmental problems in
Canada. The Centre will support the growing, vibrant network of players active in social
finance across Canada, and help connect Canadian partners to the active global
community working in the field of impact investing in both developed and emerging
markets. The Centre will be active in market and product development, as well as
develop and deliver programs and services focused on research and policy, impact
measurement, education and multi-sector engagement initiatives to mobilize private
capital towards public good. The Centre will also deliver current MaRS programs such
as the Social Venture Exchange (SVX), the Canadian B-Corp licensing hub, and
SocialFinance.ca.
PURPOSE OF POSITION
The Director, Centre for Impact Investing will provide strategic direction for the Centre’s
programs and initiatives, manage the operations and staff of the Centre, and manage an
extensive network of external stakeholders and partners.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
MaRS is searching for a candidate with the following attributes:
• an articulate, visionary leader that can effectively communicate the potential of
impact investing in Canada and the role of the Centre in helping to achieve that
potential;
• credibility to represent impact investing to traditional financial institutions,
foundations, corporations, governments, philanthropists and global thought
leaders through relevant expertise, experience and/or education;
• a track record of success in mainstream finance or impact investing;
• extraordinary interpersonal skills and exceptional collaboration attributes;
• an ability to work with stakeholders ranging from community organizations to
corporate executives to high net worth individuals;
• an ability to both lead strategically and execute on core objectives by effectively
managing and motivating a high-functioning team;
• strategic and tactical thinker who understands both the system levers and the
practical mechanisms to drive the development of the impact investing
marketplace in Canada;
• an experienced, results oriented leader with an ability to operate in a fast-moving
yet emergent landscape at a local, regional, national, and global level;
• an understanding of the innovation landscape and ability to work in close
partnership with the senior team at MaRS and key players in the MaRS
community; and
• an ability to function in both official languages (French and English) is considered
an asset.
LOCATION
This position is based at the MaRS Centre in Toronto. There will be travel throughout
the country, as well as attendance at global events, as required.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director, Centre for Impact Investing is responsible for the following activities and
deliverables:
• develop the strategic direction and associated deliverables, and the operational
plan for the Centre;
• provide direction and support to a core staff team, and engage partners and
stakeholders, in order to meet the Centre’s objectives;
• engage and leverage a high caliber Advisory Board of impact investing experts
from across the country and internationally;
• develop products and services that clearly demonstrate growth and maturation of
impact investing in Canada, through mobilization of private capital in new funds
or financial instruments for public purpose, this includes securing significant
financing for promising social ventures;
• develop tools and services to advance the area of impact measurement to global
best practice standards;
• create a world leading knowledge/expertise hub on impact investing;
• play a leadership role in informing and influencing public policy relevant to impact
investing;
• work collaboratively with relevant stakeholder representatives from across the
country in the government, finance, and community sectors;
• build a strong, engaged impact investing community in Canada through both
personal and online networks;
• act as a global connector to impact investing institutions and organizations such
as the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), B Lab, the Rockefeller
Foundation, Social Finance UK, the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) in Australia
and others;
• develop partnerships and secure funding to support the sustainability of the
Centre, including corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, grants and
contributions from government, and earned revenue activities;
• report on the activities of the Centre to MaRS leadership team and Board of
Directors, as well as other funding partners and key stakeholders;
• provide thought leadership on impact investing through presentations and
publications to the local and global community; and
• other duties as assigned.
TERMS
This is a full-time, salary position. The Director reports directly to the CEO, MaRS
Discovery District and will be provided with strategic guidance and support by an
Advisory Board of high profile impact investing experts.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should forward their resume and cover letter to
careers@marsdd.com by January 30th, 2012. MaRS thanks all candidates; however,
only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Allyson Hewitt, Director,
SiG@MaRS and Director, Social Entrepreneurship. Allyson can be contacted via email
Deadline:
30 Jan 2012
Region:
Location:
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Canada