Bow Valley College contributes to the vitality of communities and strength of the economy through innovative adult education programs and services. We equip students for successful living, lifelong learning, and employment in a global knowledge-based environment.

Why work at Bow Valley College?  We have been named one of Alberta's Top 70 Employers for 2015. Bow Valley College is made up of employees who are committed to our learners´ success, as well as each other´s. Our staff and faculty consistently say it is the people who keep them at the College, the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students, and the incredible support they receive from their co-workers and supervisors.

We have an opportunity for a Business Development Lead which will be responsible for leading the strategic business operations in the communities of Airdrie, Strathmore, Chestermere, and other surrounding communities.  With business acumen, superior leadership skills, extensive community knowledge and/or experience; for the purpose of facilitating Bow Valley College's vision of increasing access to higher education in rural communities, this role will be paramount to the success of a dynamic team.   The Business Development Lead will respond to opportunities with a collaborative mindset - working synergistically with community stakeholders, employers, adult education organizations, other post-secondary institutions, and main campus departments

The key roles in the Business Development Lead position is to demonstrate superior leadership skills; with strategic thinking, relationship building, influencing, and developing and executing business plans focused on positioning the College as a community partner, collaborator, and education service provider for all demographics in the community.

Strategic Thinking

• Creates elaborate business development plans, designs and implements processes to support business growth, through business development.  Continually gathering and analyzing information to help make better decisions. Able to keep focused on what could be and moving team into the future.
• Originates new ideas and and can also recognize innovative ideas by other organizations that align with the vision and mission of the College and Department

Relationship Building

• Develops and manages community and business network environment
• Drives the College and Department strategy and identify aligning stakeholder's
• Connects and maintains relationships with local media, decision makers, movers and shakers
• Demonstrates superior initiative; setting goals, measuring targets, and identifying outcomes
• Develops an understanding of the key demographics and corresponding education needs of the community; completing ongoing needs assessment and community consultations
• Connects and maintains relationships with local media, decision makers, movers and shakers

Executing

• Takes an idea and transforms it into reality
• Identifies research, workplace training, contract/revenue generation, and programming opportunities and communicate to necessary main campus and other partner personnel
• Assists with the implementation of contracts, workplace training, and other revenue generation activities by connecting main campus staff to community stakeholders.
• Hires and supervises regional staff, performance evaluation, and team coaching for excellence.
• Implements Regional budget - making sound, fiscally prudent decisions

Influencing

• Effectively selling the team's ideas inside and outside the institution.  Takes charge, speaks up, and
• communicates mission and vision effectively, and often, with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Builds multiple revenue streams and services in region through effective business relationship development, cold calling, researching, and marketing.
• Facilitates business growth by identifying opportunities and collaborating with external and internal stakeholders
• Communicates mission and vision effectively, and often, with multiple stakeholder groups.

Special Projects - Entrepreneur and Small Business Development

In order to be responsive to the growing opportunities in rural entrepreneurship development; this new role in the Regional Stewardship department will be successful at establishing strategic and lucrative rural entrepreneur and small business initiative for the region surrounding Calgary.

• Developed network relationships with business in start-up, growth, and accelerator phases
• Knowledge about the available resources in the region, province, and nationally focused on entrepreneurial activities
• Makes strategic decisions on next steps to move project forward
• Develops activities that will support the advancement of entrepreneurs and small business in the region
• Collaborates with Chiu School of Business to synergize efforts

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business preferred
• 3 years related experience
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with a business development focus in the communities of Airdrie and Strathmore.
• Superior communication skills - verbal and written
• Superior business development skills with an emphasis on being able to turn vision into action
• Comfortable cold calling and effectively building relationship with employers, municipal government, administration, and boards
• Resourceful team player
• Superior initiative; goal setting, target measurement, and resource allocations
• Extensive experience working with entrepreneurs and small business; an understanding of the current needs of new businesses
• Experience working with budgets and reporting
• Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills
• Works effectively independently
• Identifies and responds to new opportunities in a timely manner
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Advanced computer skills - Microsoft Office in particular but able to learn new software and use technology without reservation
• Flexible schedule - some evening and weekends required
• Some travel required within surrounding Calgary region
• Extensive knowledge of Airdrie and Strathmore
• Extensive experience within a leadership role that includes business and strategic planning
• Understanding business growth opportunities and how to connect opportunities to funds and resources
• Valid driver’s license

This is a full-time permanent position.

All successful candidates will be required to provide government issued identification and proof of educational qualifications upon hire and may be required to obtain an enhanced police information check.

Minimum Education Requirements: Bachelor's Degree
FTE Per Individual (%): 100%
Closing Date: 9/13/2015
Employment Status: Continuous