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 Senior Associate, Venture Services is responsible for the coordination and delivery of a variety of supports to the social ventures engaged with the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing. This includes general consulting, the Impact8 venture bootcamp, as well as outreach and onboarding of ventures for the SVX platform.
Candidate Profile
MaRS is searching for a versatile professional to lead several venture-related initiatives of the Centre. This person will have the following attributes and qualifications:
- A minimum of three years experience in a business development and/or consulting role
- Experience working with start-up or early stage ventures; passion in social entrepreneurship
- Excellent organizing habits
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
- Flexibility to seize new opportunities and change existing programs to further meet and exceed clients’ needs
- Collaborative team player who thrives on coordinating and interacting with multiple people and on multiple projects
- Ability to adapt and manage shifting priorities
- Strong capabilities in MS Word, Powerpoint and Excel; Salesforce experience is an asset
Responsibilities
The Senior Associate is responsibility for the following activities:
- Managing and executing Impact8 program, a program designed to build investment capacity of early-stage social ventures.
- Designing strategy for themes, selection process, content, conducting outreach
- Managing stakeholder relations
- Securing and managing partnership and mentors
- Supporting accelerator network partners in Montreal and Toronto
- Venture outreach and onboarding for the SVX.
- Develop pipeline of SVX ventures
- Guide ventures through SVX onboarding process
- Support review process for SVX team
- Venture support and education.
- Advisory support for ventures enhancing business plan and raising capital (e.g., pitch preparation) – conducted independently and with partners
- Deliver venture education programming at events (e.g., Impact Provinces, Social Finance Forum, etc.)
- Support ImpactLink mentoring platform
- Support international venture delegations
- Strategy and operations of MCII.
- Align and integrate MCII strategy with other MaRS venture services practices
- Contribute to Salesforce database and ensure that promotions for specific initiatives reach key, target audiences
- Partner and funder reporting
- Contribute to the strategy and vision for the SVX and the Centre
- Lead presentations to partner organizations, financial institutions, foundation boards, investor networks, etc. as an expert in the field
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 Senior Associate reports to the Associate Director 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.
