Client Relationship Manager, Indigenous Entrepreneurs

About Futurpreneur

Futurpreneur is a national non-profit organization that empowers diverse entrepreneurs, ages 18-39 to start, buy and grow their businesses in Canada, by providing loans with mentorship and resources.

Founded in 1996, we have helped more than 20,000 young entrepreneurs launch over 15,600 businesses, promoting entrepreneurship among Canadian youth as a critical pillar for strengthening the economy while generating employment opportunities, and fostering a sustainable future.

Futurpreneur is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, the Canadian founding member of Youth Business International and the Canadian host of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).

Our Purpose (why we exist): To drive inclusive Canadian prosperity by fostering the success of young entrepreneurs

Our Mission (what we do every day to achieve our purpose): To empower diverse entrepreneurs ages 18-39 by providing loans with mentorship and resources to help them start and buy successful businesses that contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic prosperity, in their communities and across Canada.

Our Values (how we work – our core principles & commitments): We are mission-driven, collegial & collaborative, diverse & inclusive, and accountable & transparent.

Here’s the opportunity: Client Relationship Manager, Indigenous Entrepreneurs

As a Client Relationship Manager, Indigenous Entrepreneurs, you will play an integral role in the continued growth of the organization’s overall success. You will primarily, but not exclusively, work with Indigenous entrepreneurs, and assist them with creating and developing successful applications for all Futurpreneur programs and services, while maintaining an exceptional level of client satisfaction and ensuring regional targets are met and/or surpassed. You will work collaboratively with Indigenous Financial Institution (IFI) members of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association (NACCA) network, other partners and Futurpreneur’s Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program Business Development team.

This existing role is a full-time, permanent role based preferably based in Vancouver, BC, Calgary, AB or Toronto, ON but can be based anywhere in Canada. The incumbent will work on a hybrid work model, requiring a minimum of 2 days in-office per week.

What you will do:

Coaching Entrepreneurs

• Provide coaching to primarily Indigenous entrepreneurs on key elements of a business plan including realistic cash flow projections, marketing initiatives, legal or insurance requirements, competitor analysis, SWOT, as well as an understanding of personal credit
• Support entrepreneurs via phone, on-line webinars/meetings, email and in person, in alignment with the Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program Business Development team.
• Offer guidance to entrepreneurs with our online business resources and business plan writer

Screening of Entrepreneur Applications

• Conduct a summary review of the application including business plan and cash flow to determine eligibility for programs and funding
• Communicate potential issues surrounding the eligibility (including business plan, industry, timing, etc)
• Conduct analysis of credit report to determine if entrepreneur qualifies for financing from Futurpreneur Canada and/or co-funding partner
• Determine funding limits, communicate credit issues and refer to credit improvement supports to entrepreneur to improve their financial literacy

Program Application - Consultation with Entrepreneurs

• Review application including business plan and cash flow to determine business viability and help the entrepreneur update the application to meet the standards of Futurpreneur Canada
• Evaluate submissions and provide feedback and coaching necessary to build viable business plans and cash-flows that meet Futurpreneur application requirements for the Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program
• Compile and evaluate all additional documentation required to submit a complete application to National Adjudication
• Summarize pertinent information not found in the submission that will affect adjudication reviews
• Evaluate workflow based on quality and quality of applicants and predict likely disbursement months or dates

Program Application - Consultation with Partners

• Answer application related questions as needed
• Review Partner submitted applications to determine viability using Business Risk Predictor and by known Futurpreneur requirements
• Assist Partner in helping applicants understand what is expected from an application submission, including documents and timelines
• Provide support to the business development team in training partners on program details and the submission of quality applications
• Summarize pertinent information not found in the submission that will affect adjudication’s reviews
• Submit completed application to National Adjudication

Program Application - Conditions

• Prepare and communicate program acceptance and outstanding conditions necessary for disbursement
• Collect and evaluate required conditional documents
• Ensure that mentor matching requests are sent to the mentoring associate’s team
• Communicate the online mentoring orientation session to be completed by the entrepreneur
• Prepare, sign and submit loan agreements, promissory note and other required legal documents
• Communicate with compliance to ensure the loan is disbursed

Program Application - Internal Relations and Compliance

• Work directly with adjudication, entrepreneur-in-residence and loans teams to ensure entrepreneur applications are within eligibility requirements
• Consult with business development team on strategies to increase mentor and entrepreneur interest
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you will bring:

• Relevant experience may include education with a focus on Business Administration/Finance or equivalent hands-on career experience
• 2-3 years of experience in a client support/client relations, Indigenous financial/economic or banking role
• Strong customer service experience with a desire to support the customer
• A demonstrated track record in meeting sales targets
• Strong network and sense of purpose, entrepreneurial mentality
• Lived experience working with Indigenous Entrepreneurs and community organizations
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the challenges faced by young Indigenous entrepreneurs and Indigenous-led and Indigenous-focused community organizations
• Clear and confident communicator, skilled at engaging and connecting with diverse audiences.
• Collaborative and adaptable team player, bringing a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
• Strong organizational skills, able to balance multiple priorities effectively in a dynamic hybrid work environment.
• Demonstrate curiosity and a growth mindset, embracing and championing change.
• Bilingualism in French & English (spoken & written) is an asset
• Alignment with Futurpreneur’s values and commitment to the mission/purpose of the organization
• Be a role model for Futurpreneur’s organizational culture by creating a positive impact at every touchpoint with people

HOW