The Black Business Initiative (BBI) is Canada’s longest-serving Black business development initiative, founded in 1996 by the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia to address the unique needs confronting Nova Scotia’s Black business community. With a deep commitment to fostering a dynamic and vibrant Black presence within Nova Scotia and the Atlantic Region, today, the BBI is a leader and catalyst for job creation, equitable participation, and advancing economic prosperity across Canada.

For over twenty-five years, the BBI has convened, mobilized, supported, and led meaningful projects and initiatives within Black Canadian communities. The organization lives its mission of positively influencing business culture in the Atlantic Provinces by promoting and assisting in developing Black-owned businesses and supporting Black entrepreneurs at every step of their journey.

Reporting to the Board(s) through the BBI Chair, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has a unique opportunity to build upon the organization’s momentum: by standing on the shoulders of their ancestors, they can profoundly impact its future for generations to come. As an ambassador and champion for the vision, mission, and strategic direction of BBI and its composite group of companies, the CEO has a track record of galvanizing community, government, and business stakeholders to align on a shared purpose. The CEO is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization, including a team of 20+ staff, and has accountability for operations, administration, marketing, human resources, and finance functions.

The ideal candidate has an undergraduate degree or diploma or equivalent related business experience, with at least five to ten years of progressive senior leadership in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment. They possess an entrepreneurial mindset with experience as a Black entrepreneur and/or as a leader in a related business context (i.e., finance, marketing, etc.). The CEO is passionate about identifying opportunities to enable Black business leaders to grow their organizations and to overcome key challenges. They are savvy in building strong, long-term relationships with community and partners, including funders, and are committed to fostering organizational excellence. The CEO is an exceptional communicator and an inspiring people leader, with demonstrated experience cultivating and engaging high performing teams. The successful candidate demonstrates that they are attuned to the needs and opportunities within the local and national Black business communities and have a clear strategic vision focused on growth and expansion to strengthen BBI’s brand and impact.

To learn more about the Black Business Initiative, please visit: https://www.bbi.ca/

Royer Thompson is committed to presenting a diverse and inclusive roster of candidates to our clients. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups: Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, persons with a disability, women, and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity. If you are a member of one of these under-represented groups, we invite you to self-identify on your cover letter or resume. Preference will be given to African Nova Scotians/people of African descent. Additionally, we provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodation(s) to participate in the recruitment process, please contact droche@royerthompson.com

Please submit your resume and interest online by clicking “Apply.” For further information about this opportunity, please contact Amy Reid at areid@royerthompson.com or Greg Dickie at gdickie@royerthompson.com in confidence.