An opportunity to be part of something truly emerging
From persistent poverty to climate change, we face entrenched social and environmental problems. Fortunately, a growing number of charities, non-profits, co-ops and for-profit companies are building business models to tackle these problems. They are turning to investors for the financing to launch and grow innovative new programs in order to become sustainable and stimulate economic growth.
As a result, new investment opportunities are emerging to offer investors positive financial returns in addition to social and environmental impacts. And an expanding base of interested and talented young professionals and mainstream finance leaders seek to support this work. At the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing, we exist to strengthen this emerging movement for good.
About the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing (MCII)
The Centre for Impact Investing is a leading national hub dedicated to advancing impact investing in Canada. The Centre seeks to foster the effective application of social finance through Venture and Capital Advisory Services and build awareness by sharing knowledge and research through various platforms.
As the field of social finance continues to grow, so too does our team. The MaRS Centre for Impact Investing is currently searching for a variety of creative and open-minded professionals with an inclination towards social innovation and a new model of capitalism.
About this Opportunity:
The Associate, Advisory Services will support the development of new impact investing funds and products for the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing. The Associate will work with clients to research and analyze new investment opportunities. A significant portion of this work will be focused on developing new Social Impact Bond models.
Candidate Profile
MaRS is searching for a young professional looking to develop expertise in the impact investment field and contribute to the advisory efforts of our small, entrepreneurial team. This person will have the following attributes and qualifications:
- Minimum two years experience or the equivalent in a professional services field (e.g., consulting, banking, accounting, law, etc.)
- An interest in finding new solutions to significantly influence change in major social issues (e.g., homelessness, chronic disease, unemployment, at-risk youth, etc.)
- Strong financial acumen (e.g., financial analysis and modeling, budgeting, cost accounting)
- Intellectual curiosity; results-oriented; determined and hard-working
- A desire to learn and grow in this new field
- Leadership characteristics
Responsibilities
The Associate is responsible for the following activities:
- Support the Capital and Venture advisory teams to provide value to Centre clients. Some of the activities may include:
- Developing working models of new investment opportunities
- Analyzing client data and information to evaluate and recommend new opportunities to clients (e.g., new partnerships, financing/funding opportunities, etc.)
- Managing work processes and partner contributions on client files
- Forecasting scale and social impact potential
- Developing powerpoint decks and/or reports that summarize project or pitch information
- Actively contributing in team and client meetings
- Support project management and reporting activities
- Conducting research and identifying new business opportunities
- Staying current with national and global developments in areas of impact investment (e.g., alternative funding models for social services, outcome-based payment schemes, impact measurement, incubators and accelerators, public-private-nonprofit partnerships, etc.)
- Supporting practice administration and reporting
- Coordinate activities between growing Centre team and activities
- Managing budgets
- Reporting to clients and/or funders
- Tracking milestones and internal performance
- Setting agendas and finalizing meetings
- Managing salesforce
- Creating thought leadership and brand
- Capturing knowledge and lessons learned and sharing publicly (white papers, blogs, webinars, etc.)
- Supporting marketing efforts and the development of presentations
Location
This position is based at the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Although most of the work will be based in Toronto, there will be some travel required.
Terms
This is a full-time, salaried position. Compensation will be competitive within the field of impact investment and be commensurate with experience. The Associate reports to the Manager and is supported by other Centre colleagues.
About MaRS
Toronto's MaRS Discovery District is one of the world's largest urban innovation centres, cultivating high-impact ventures and equipping innovators to drive economic and social prosperity in Canada. MaRS supports entrepreneurs in the sectors of media and technology, cleantech and healthcare by providing them with advice, education and market research, and connecting them to talent, customers and capital. An independent registered charity, MaRS also works with private and public sector partners to create solutions that open market access for ventures and generate social impact.
