BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD - IMPACT INVESTING
Investor Relations and Member Capital | VCT Group & CED Co-op
Location: Kitchener, Ontario (on-site), with travel across southwestern Ontario for member events and information sessions
Reports To: Director of Growth
Compensation: $70,000 to $80,000 annual salary, depending on experience and qualifications, plus participation in company bonus programs
Benefits: Comprehensive health plan, RRSP matching, generous vacation, and staff purchase program for solar and EV charging systems
ABOUT VCT GROUP
We believe electricity is the foundation of the next economy. AI, data centres, electric transportation, IoT, and everything waiting to be plugged in and connected all need power. The buildings, fleets, and communities that generate and manage their own energy will have a structural advantage. For 18 years, VCT Group has been building that advantage for commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, and multi-residential clients across Ontario, and increasingly in the US through our Heliostation solar carport business. We turn underutilized space (rooftops, parking lots, and fleet yards) into energy generation and storage infrastructure.
Across five business lines (solar EPC, Heliostation carports and canopies, EV charging, O&M fleet management, and energy management consulting), we have delivered 300+ projects generating 35 million kWh annually and avoiding 25,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, and now monitor 400+ sites across our O&M portfolio.
Our five core values: Be Curious, Be Nimble, Be Intentional, Be Frugal, and Be Genuine.
ABOUT CED CO-OP
VCT Group founded and actively manages Community Energy Development Co-operative Ltd. (CED Co-op), a renewable energy investment co-operative that has raised over $29 million from 850+ members across eight successive securities offerings, funding 118 solar projects and a portfolio exceeding $45 million in community-owned clean energy. CED Co-op holds Offering Statement approval under FSRA and was the first co-operative in Canada to become a public corporation for tax purposes (not publicly traded, not exchange-listed), enabling member investments to be held in RRSP, RESP, TFSA, FHSA and RRIF accounts.
Members are not customers. They are owners. They vote, they come to the AGM, they ask direct questions about the projects their money built, and most of them invest with us more than once. Capital raised by the Co-op also gives VCT customers a way to move on a project, through PPAs and community ownership structures, when an outright capital purchase is not the right fit.
THE ROLE
VCT Group is hiring a Business Development Lead to raise and retain member capital on behalf of CED Co-op, reporting to VCT Group’s Director of Growth and working alongside the business development team. You will be the person Ontarians talk to when they are deciding whether to put their savings into community-owned solar.
You do not need a mutual fund or securities licence for this role. CED Co-op distributes its securities to members under an Offering Statement approved by FSRA, and you will represent the Co-op within the disclosure that permits.
The role is hands-on and self-directed. You will run your own calendar, your own contact process, and your own pipeline, with support from marketing on campaigns and from the President and Director of Growth on strategy and the harder conversations.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
- Develop a deep understanding of CED Co-op’s securities, renewable energy projects, and impact metrics.
- Educate members and prospective investors on the principles and benefits of impact investing, including the social and environmental returns alongside financial gains.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with members/investors, fostering trust and loyalty by providing ongoing education and support about the impact and performance of their investments.
- Engage in community and industry events to promote the organization's mission and attract new members interested in impact investments.
- Stay informed about trends in renewable energy markets, regulatory changes, and developments in impact investing.
- Work with the marketing team and management to develop and deliver campaigns.
- Meet or exceed sales targets while prioritizing the alignment of client investments with their impact and investment goals.
- Prepare and deliver periodic reports to management and the board.
REQUIRED TO APPLY:
- University degree (business, sustainability, finance or related program), or equivalent work experience.
- 3-5 years related work experience in business development or customer facing roles, working with financial products or services.
- Eagerness to serve members and investors, as well as educate on new investment opportunities, and impact-based projects.
- Fantastic on the phone and on video calls. Top notch written and verbal communication.
- Able to contribute to a positive, collaborative, and diverse workplace culture. VCT is committed to a culture of mutual respect and support; and to providing a safe space for all employees and visitors.
YOU’LL ALSO PROBABLY NEED THIS TO GET THE JOB:
- Experience in developing and delivering presentations, as well as speaking to groups (5 to 50).
- Experience in developing and delivering periodic reports to management and board level executives.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, customer care and superior quality of work.
- Ability to identify problems and develop multiple creative alternatives for problem resolution.
- Time management and the ability to prioritize activities regularly and ensure key objectives are met.
- Highly efficient use of computer applications including databases, Zoom/Teams, CRM platforms, and other MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
ADDITIONAL SKILLS, ABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS THAT WOULD BE AN ASSET:
- Knowledge of financial services and investments, including bonds and shares.
- Experience with socially responsible investing, “green” investments, and impact investing.
- Familiarity with renewable energy (solar), sustainability, climate change and its impacts.
- Knowledge of, or experience in working within, a Co-operative business model.
- Experience or understanding of marketing campaign development and delivery.
- Affinity for technology and automation, understanding ways in which technology can be utilized to improve efficiency, quality and service.
YOU’LL LIKELY BE A PRETTY GOOD FIT IF SOME OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBES YOU:
- You enjoy talking with people and aren’t afraid to pick up the phone and call someone to follow-up or check in.
- You enjoy catching up on the latest readings in communications and behavioral science (Ariely, Gladwell, Godin, Heath, Pink…)
- You enjoy learning and are excited at the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of solar, renewables, energy storage and electric vehicles, as well as how these projects come together.
- You’re a bit of a perfectionist, in a healthy way, you value precision and accuracy.
- Without being arrogant or boastful, you are quite inwardly competitive and like to feel accomplished.
- You already own an electric vehicle, or can hardly wait to get one, and you are keenly aware of your environmental footprint.
If you do not feel you can tick all the boxes for required qualifications, let us know why and what you bring that shares new perspectives or talents. We seek enthusiastic candidates willing to take a step into the exciting future of electrification.
Interested candidates should forward their resume and cover letter through this web site. We would like to thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those potentially suitable for the position will be contacted.
VCT is committed to the values of diversity and inclusivity. If you require accommodations in the interview process, please provide details in your application. AI Tools may be used in the screening of potential candidates.
Pay: $70,000.00-$80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Kitchener, ON N2B 1W3: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (required)
Experience:
- Business development: 3 years (required)
Work Location: In person
