CLIENT DESCRIPTION

Our client is a non-profit organization that positions itself as the main promoter of smart city principles. Working in collaboration with the different levels of government, its main objective is to improve citizens’ quality of life and security through a responsible use of technologies and data. Its efforts in research and vast network of external partners enable the organization to strengthen its capacities and reach its goals. Having more and more visibility in its area of ​​expertise, our client is now ready to move to a new stage in its development.

RESPONSIBILITIES

With significant growth over the past two years, the organization is currently looking for a new Business Development Officer with experience in the data and technology sector. Reporting to the Executive Director, he will closely collaborate with him and Senior staff members in his business development and proposal writing initiatives for the whole value proposition of the organization. He will also:

  • Align business development strategy with the organization’s 8 areas of expertise (business offerings from the Applied Research Lab and Advisory Service)
  • Ensure the feasibility of proposals in collaboration with department managers and their staff, in accordance with organizational business targets
  • Communicate technical service offering and applied research interests to potential partners and funders
  • Lead proposal budget development, including the development of proposal budgets
  • Negotiate funding proposals with representatives from a variety of organizational partners in all sectors, including government agencies, the private and not-for-profit
  • Assess local, regional, national, and international business opportunities and develop strategies to attract philanthropic investment
  • Review and evaluate commercial or industrial development proposals and provide advice on procedures and requirements for funder approval
  • Track market trends and conduct market research according to organization’s business goals, areas of expertise, and research interests
  • Seek funding opportunities that leverage and/or scale internal projects and research priorities
  • Respond to business development enquiries from representatives of different sectors and organizations
  • Monitor and report on the achievement of business development targets (develop a clients & funding opportunities pipeline, track progress in Asana)
  • Lead business development planning meetings with strategic partners;

 REQUIREMENTS

  • 4-5 years of experience in Business Development and a demonstrable successful proposal writing track record
  • Excellent proposal writing skills with demonstrable success applying for large grants ranging from 100K to 2M
  • University degree in a relevant field (political science, public administration, business)
  • Perfectly bilingual oral and written (French & English)
  • Ability to communicate effectively to various audience (oral and written)
  • Work both independently and as a strong team player with an aptitude for working in a collaborative environment
  • Strong political sense and the ability to liaise with a diverse funding community
  • Ability to work in fast paced environments, juggling multiple proposals with a range of complex considerations, needs and competing timelines
  • Ability to synthesize information from multiple domains of knowledge, sometimes outside of area of expertise
  • Ability to think critically on issues of technology, civic problems and data, and apply thinking to program delivery
  • Proactive, organized, punctual
  • Creative, innovative and curious
  • The following will be considered as strong assets:
    • Experience with community and social environments
    • Knowledge of municipal data and technology issues
    • Knowledge of open approaches (open data, open source and open procurement) is considered a strong asset