Associate, AI Fund

Sagard Overview

Sagard is a multi-strategy alternative asset management firm active in venture capital, private equity, private credit and real estate. Sagard also engages in private wealth management through Sagard Wealth.

Founded in 2016 and guided by the core values of entrepreneurship, innovation, collaboration, rigour and authenticity, Sagard has experienced outstanding growth. Today, the firm has more than US$45 billion under management, 190 portfolio companies and 540 professionals.

Sagard is well positioned to continue to grow substantially, organically and inorganically, pursuing its vision of becoming one of the best‑performing investment management firms. Headquartered in Canada, Sagard currently has offices in Canada, the United States, Europe and the Middle East.

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Sagard AI Fund Overview

The Sagard AI Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly established US$150 million investment vehicle, backed by founding LPs Power Corporation of Canada, Great-West Lifeco, and IGM Financial. The Fund invests globally across the AI technology stack, and is stage and sector agnostic. Our mission is to invest in the most impactful AI companies of the next decade and help those companies accelerate by leveraging the network, experience, and global access of Sagard and the Power Group of Companies, which represent a combined $4 trillion in global assets.

Position Overview

We are looking for a founding Associate to join the Sagard AI Fund. This is a rare entry point into a new global venture strategy being built from the ground up. You will support the full investment lifecycle, from sourcing and diligence through portfolio monitoring and value creation, while developing your own conviction and hands‑on experience on where AI is heading. The role suits someone early in their career who is deeply curious about the intersection of enterprise technology and frontier AI technology, energized by working closely with founders and peer investors, and excited to contribute to building something new.

Location: Toronto or New York City

Responsibilities

Sourcing & Investing

• Support sourcing of investment opportunities across the AI technology stack — infrastructure, applications, AI‑native services providers, and adjacent sectors
• Conduct investment diligence – market dynamics and competition, financial analysis, and customer reference calls
• Build authentic relationships with founders, co‑investors, and ecosystem participants
• Develop and maintain rigorous sector maps, thematic research, and a running view on the AI landscape
• Attend conferences and co‑organize dinners in key markets (SF, NYC and Toronto/KW) that build Sagard’s brand

Portfolio & Value Creation

• Contribute to tracking portfolio company performance against investment thesis and milestones; flag risks and opportunities
• Support commercial partnerships and introductions between AI companies and Sagard’s broader ecosystem (LPs, portfolio, strategic partners)
• Assist portfolio companies on strategic initiatives and ad hoc analytical requests

Fund Operations

• Leverage AI tools such as Claude and Codex to automate repetitive work and rethink our business processes
• Contribute to quarterly LP reporting, investor communications, and in‑depth investor updates
• Maintain pipeline tracking and rigorous CRM hygiene

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in investment banking, venture capital, management consulting, corporate development, or working at a high‑growth technology company; exposure to AI or enterprise technology is a plus
• Genuine intellectual curiosity about AI. You already follow the space closely and have your own developing opinions on where it’s going
• Strong analytical skills – you can build a model, synthesize messy research into a clear answer, and write and speak about it so others understand your point of view
• Intensely collaborative and entrepreneurial; comfortable in ambiguity and excited to contribute to building a new strategy at an established investment manager
• Existing network in AI or technology is a plus, particularly in SF, NYC and London
• Bachelor’s degree required

Sagard is an equal opportunity employer, which values diversity in the workplace. We are therefore happy to accommodate any individual.

If you require accommodation in order to participate in the hiring process, please contact the People & Culture team to make your needs known in advance.

Sagard may use automated tools, including artificial intelligence, to support certain stages of the recruitment and selection process.