Director of Business Development

As the Director of Business Development at Sagard Holdings, your primary responsibility will be to expand our private credit business by originating new investment opportunities. You'll lead efforts to develop and maintain deep relationships with financial sponsors, advisors, and borrowers while representing Sagard at industry conferences. Additionally, you'll collaborate with senior leadership to refine strategies and monitor market trends to inform our sourcing strategies.

The ideal candidate for the Director of Business Development role at Sagard Holdings should possess 8–12+ years of experience in private credit, direct lending, or investment banking, showcasing a demonstrated success in originating transactions. A strong network among private equity firms and corporate finance advisors, along with solid knowledge of capital structures and credit underwriting, are essential for this role.

In the Director of Business Development position at Sagard Holdings, you will significantly contribute to our growth by identifying new sectors and channels for deal origination. Your role will be critical in enhancing our visibility and building trusted relationships within the industry, ultimately driving new investment opportunities and aligning them with Sagard's broader business objectives.

Key skills for the Director of Business Development at Sagard Holdings include exceptional interpersonal skills for relationship building, strategic thinking to align origination efforts with investment goals, and strong market knowledge in private credit products. A 'hunter' mentality, along with being a polished communicator, is also vital for success in this externally facing role.

At Sagard Holdings, the culture is collaborative and entrepreneurial. As a Director of Business Development, you'll work alongside a diverse team of professionals who are passionate about fostering innovation and excellence. Sagard values a high-performance mindset, diversity, and continuous learning, creating a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.

To originate private credit transactions effectively, I would leverage my existing network of relationships with financial sponsors and advisors, actively participate in industry events, and employ market intelligence to identify emerging sectors and opportunities that align with Sagard's investment goals.

Building and maintaining relationships in the finance industry requires consistent communication and trust. I focus on understanding the needs of my partners, providing ongoing value through insights and support, and being present at key networking events to solidify connections.

In my previous role, I successfully originated a middle-market private credit transaction by identifying a funding gap for a growing company. Through diligent research and relationship management, I facilitated a deal that not only met the client's needs but also aligned with the investment strategies of our firm.

Staying informed about market trends in private credit involves continuous education through industry reports, attending conferences, subscribing to financial news outlets, and engaging in discussions with peers and industry experts to get diverse perspectives on current conditions.

One of the most challenging aspects of being a Director of Business Development is navigating the competitive landscape while identifying unique opportunities. It requires a balance of strategic insight and proactive engagement with potential partners to secure successful deals.

I approach collaboration with internal investment teams by maintaining open lines of communication, sharing insights from the market, and ensuring alignment on deal structures and investment priorities to create a seamless transition from origination to underwriting and execution phases.

I track deal origination success through metrics such as the volume of deals originated, the quality of relationships developed, conversion rates from initial contact to successful deals, and overall contribution to the firm's investment goals and pipeline health.

Handling a difficult negotiation involves understanding the borrower's needs while clearly articulating our own position. I focus on finding common ground and offering creative solutions that satisfy both parties, while maintaining a professional demeanor to foster trust.

In a previous position, I adapted my strategy by shifting focus to different sectors that were gaining traction as market conditions changed. By conducting thorough research and adjusting our approach, we successfully identified new opportunities that aligned with our updated investment strategy.

Market intelligence plays a crucial role in my decision-making process by informing sourcing strategies, identifying emerging trends, and providing insights into competitor actions. It ensures that I make data-driven decisions that align with the firm's overall objectives and positions us favorably in the market.