Senior Director, Commercial and First Nations Financial Participation

At Alto, we are actively contributing to the transformation of Canada's future with our high-speed train project connecting Quebec City and Toronto. With the support of the Government of Canada, this innovative project aims to improve the quality of life of our citizens, strengthen ties between communities and stimulate economic growth.

Would you like to take on a stimulating, high-impact challenge? We are looking for a Senior Director, Commercial and First Nations Financial Participation. Please note that the candidate may be based in one of our 4 offices: Montréal, Québec City, Toronto or Ottawa.

The role

Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer, the Senior Director, Financing and Indigenous Participation, will be a key leader in developing and executing funding and financing strategies for the Alto Project, with a strong focus on the financial participation of recognized First Nations proximate to the project’s corridor.  The Senior Director will work in close collaboration with the Indigenous Relations team and Alto’s other internal functions (including technical, legal, finance, etc.).

Through co-development with the Private Developer Partner (PDP), Cadence, this individual will be responsible for leading, on behalf of Alto, the structuring, negotiation, and supporting the discussion and closing of financing agreements with First Nations, funding agencies, lenders and other stakeholders. The Senior Director will also support broader commercial deal structuring and negotiation activities on the Project, ensuring alignment with the Project's overall objectives and value for money.

The responsibilities

• In partnership with Cadence, spearhead the development and implementation of comprehensive financing strategies to support First Nations equity ownership and other forms of financial participation in the Project.
• Alongside Cadence, lead (on behalf of Alto) the structuring, financial analysis, due diligence, negotiation, and support the closing of complex financing transactions with First Nations and financial institutions. This includes developing and negotiating term sheets, commenting on finance documents and loan agreements, and supporting the financial closing process.
• Alongside Alto’s Indigenous Relations team, participate in discussions with First Nations, support conversations related to financial participation and develop material.
• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with First Nations, Indigenous financing program providers, financial institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate successful financing partnerships.
• Liaise with the Indigenous Relations team and Cadence to signal the preferred form of First Nations financial participation to recognized First Nations proximate to the corridor.
• Work closely with Cadence to integrate the preferred form of First Nations financial participation components into the overall Project financing structure and ensure alignment with Project and finance documents.
• Collaborate with other functions and departments within and outside of the organization (e.g., Indigenous Relations, Legal, Finance, technical teams, Transport Canada, etc.)  to ensure that financing initiatives are aligned with broader corporate objectives, legal requirements, and Project timelines.
• Oversee and review the development of detailed financial models and analyses to assess the viability and impact of various financing structures and proposals.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks associated with financing transactions.
• Prepare detailed briefings, reports, and presentations for senior management, senior Government stakeholders, and the Alto Board of Directors.
• Monitor and analyze evolving market conditions, government policies, and best practices related to Indigenous finance and infrastructure projects to inform strategy and negotiations.

The requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Law or other relevant disciplines.  
• An MBA, CFA, or other relevant professional designation is considered an asset.
• 15 years of relevant experience in project finance, corporate finance, or infrastructure investment, with a strong focus on structuring and negotiating complex financial transactions.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully structuring and negotiating at least two (2) Indigenous financing transactions in Canada. This includes experience with various Indigenous funding programs, loan guarantee mechanisms, and equity participation models.
• Proven experience in developing and managing relationships with Indigenous communities, leaders, and organizations.
• Strong understanding of the unique legal, political, and economic context of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
• Experience with public-private partnerships (P3) and/or collaborative models of project delivery (e.g., progressive P3, IPD, Alliancing) is highly desirable.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including government officials, financial institutions, and community representatives.
• Action and results-oriented with a proven ability to drive complex projects and agreements to completion.
• Bilingualism (English and French), both spoken and written, is preferred but not a requisite.

Why join our innovative team?

• Basic paid group insurance for you and your family: medical, dental, life, disability, etc.
• Access to wellness and health accounts to support your lifestyle.
• Flex-Alto account of $500 to encourage a healthier approach and a more sustainable mode of transportation.
• A retirement plan and savings options (RRSP and TFSA).
• Vacations based on experience, available upon hiring.
• An incentive compensation program.
• Flexible hybrid work mode.
• A work environment that encourages initiative, innovation, and forward-thinking solutions.
• A unique opportunity to shape the future of transportation in Canada.

We work to create high-performance, diversified teams

At Alto, we believe in the power of diverse teams. We aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone can develop and flourish. Alto offers equal employment opportunities to all and invites qualified individuals, regardless of their identity, origin or situation, to apply.

Please let us know if you need any adjustments during the recruitment process. We will do our utmost to provide you with a fair and pleasant experience, while keeping any adjustments confidential.

Please note that we will communicate only with those candidates whose applications are selected for further consideration. To find out more about the entire project, visit Alto - Home.