ABOUT OPPORTUNITY CALGARY INVESTMENT FUND
Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the City of Calgary. It was created in 2018 to support the community-built economic strategy, Uplook, An Action Plan for Calgary's Economy. Created from the City of Calgary’s existing reserve, this fund is a powerful financial tool to position Calgary for sustained economic diversification by driving investments that create both long term economic prosperity and job creation for Calgarians.
OCIF finds opportunities with the highest potential impact on the resilience and diversity of Calgary’s economic future by providing funding designed to spur additional external funding and resources to ensure their success and impact.
To date, OCIF has supported numerous projects across multiple sectors, including agribusiness, technology, energy, life sciences, creative industries and more. These deals help position Calgary as an opportunity-rich destination for global investment, scaling of early-stage local enterprises, and skilled talent.
For more information, visit opportunitycalgary.com.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The governance and decision making for OCIF reside with a 14-member volunteer Board of Directors comprised of two representatives of City Council, the Chair of Calgary Economic Development, and nine business leaders with experience in multi-million-dollar investment opportunities in a variety of sectors.
The Board provides oversight and guidance to ensure OCIF has efficient processes, rigorous reviews of applications, and maintains transparency and accountability.
Members of the Board of Directors serve without remuneration and are appointed by the corporation’s sole shareholder, City Council. Board Members may serve up to 6 years.
The average workload for OCIF Directors is approximately 10 hours per month, including reading materials and preparing for meetings. In addition to formal Board duties, there is also an expectation of support by Directors through periodic attendance at events.
WHAT WE ARE SEEKING
OCIF Board Members are valued for their innovative systems thinking, business acumen, entrepreneurial mindset and investment expertise. While investment experience is valuable, it is critical to understand that OCIF is not a venture fund, but an opportunity fund. As OCIF evaluates its investments by their overall impact on Calgary’s economic development, a deep understanding of Calgary’s economic strategy, Uplook, is essential.
The most valuable characteristics in OCIF Directors include:
- Business acumen
- Innovative and entrepreneurial mindset
- Systems thinking
- Leadership and teamwork
- Availability and engagement
- Civic pride and passion for Calgary’s future
- 3 – 5 years Board experience
As OCIF exists to diversify and transform Calgary’s economy, diversity is integral to our mission. We accordingly welcome and encourage expressions of interest from Calgarians of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut'ina, the îethka Nakoda Nations, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government (Districts 5 and 6), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of southern Alberta.
TO APPLY:
Candidates who wish to explore this volunteer Board opportunity in confidence should email their cover letter and résumé to: apply@prospectorsearch.com. Please reference posting OCIF Board Member in subject line.
Deadline for Application: January 24, 2025 at 9:00am
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.