Equity Compensation Policy Advisor

BMO; Toronto; On-site; CAD 75,900 - 141,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Accident and life insurance

Retirement savings plans

Job summary

The Bank of Montreal (BMO) Financial Group seeks an experienced equity policy leader to own and evolve the bank’s equity and deferred compensation framework. You will partner with HR, Legal, Finance and senior management to design, govern and implement policy changes with precision and compliance across cross-functional teams.

Ideal candidates bring 3–5 years in equity compensation policy, strong analytical skills and a track record in governance, reporting and stakeholder management.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of progressive experience in equity compensation policy or administration.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian and U.S. rules for equity-based compensation.
• Excellent analytical and financial modeling skills for monitoring and reporting on equity pay plans.

Responsibilities

• Govern equity policy governance and development, including monitoring regulatory changes.
• Review policies via benchmarking and coordinate with HR, Legal, and other stakeholders.
• Research plan requirements and propose changes reflected in plan documents.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans to revise and enact changes to the plan.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure plans meet design, administration, legal, and governance requirements.
• Support approval and implementation of new policy with Equity Operations.
• Participate in total rewards projects and initiatives.

Skills

Equity compensation policy

Project management

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related discipline

Tools

Regulatory reporting systems

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled professional to manage the Bank’s equity and deferred compensation policies. This role has ownership of the equity policy framework, with a focus on plan policy development and implementation, governance and compliance, reporting and general oversight. This role is ideal for a hands‑on, technical equity compensation professional who excels in managing complex cross‑functional deliverables, influencing and partnering with key internal stakeholders, and driving precision and quality in all aspects of equity plan policy and governance.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Equity Policy Governance & Development

• Monitor regulatory changes and governance developments impacting equity compensation (e.g., employment and tax law, plan design and governance trends).
• Review current policies via benchmarking vs. peer practices and innovations and assess and identify equity policy elements that require changes, via partnerships with HR management, Legal, and other key stakeholders.
• Research and determine plan requirements and develop proposed changes reflected in plan documents.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans to revise and enact proposed changes to the plan.
• Work with key stakeholders to ensure the revised plans satisfy all design, administration, legal, and governance requirements and consider all downstream impacts on equity plan administration and plan participants.
• Support the approval and implementation of the new policy in partnership with key stakeholders, including Equity Operations.
• Participate and contribute to total rewards projects and initiatives.

Reporting and analytics

• Develop and maintain reporting, analytics, and governance materials related to equity compensation programs and reports for the Human Resources Committee and senior management, including Share Ownership reporting, forecasts and projected equity payouts, among others.
• Develop studies and analysis to support change in policy or implementation of new plans and designs.
• Develop ad hoc reporting on plan statistics to support plan governance.

Governance & Oversight

• Act as the resident expert on the Bank’s equity policies and serve as the primary point of contact for all equity policy queries.
• Review and understand the bank’s equity programs to ensure internal consistency and alignment to governance guidelines and talent strategy.
• Maintaining governance frameworks, controls, procedures and documentation supporting the administration and oversight of equity compensation programs to ensure compliance and manage and mitigate risk.
• Provide analytical support and subject matter expertise in the design and administration of equity policy to support internal partners in human resources and the bank more broadly as needed.
• Maintain plans in alignment with regulatory requirements and filings, track and monitor plan compliance, such as burn rate and inventory levels.

Required Qualifications and Skills

Experience

3-5 years of progressive experience in equity compensation policy or administration, ideally within a publicly traded company; demonstrated experience in managing the administration and/or design of equity compensation programs, including plan reviews and implementation of changes, project management, and interpretation of legal and governance requirements.

Knowledge

Strong understanding of Canadian and U.S. rules and trends for equity-based compensation, including legal requirements, plan design and governance trends, Strong analytical and financial modeling skills related to monitoring and reporting on equity pay plans and valuation. Working knowledge of European and U.K. equity compensation practices and rules considered an asset.

Overall

High attention to detail, accuracy, and quality; highly organized with strong project management discipline and ability to manage numerous concurrent deliverables; exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex equity programs into clear ideas that are easy to understand for a wide range of audiences; strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including comfort working with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholder with diverse responsibilities and skills; discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive information.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Finance, Law, or related discipline. CCP and related designations/certifications considered an asset.

Working Relationships

• Reports to: Senior Manager, Executive Compensation
• This role will partner closely with HR, Legal, Finance, Executive Compensation and other partners and vendors to ensure compliant, accurate and high-quality deliverables, aligned with business objectives and shareholder interests.

Salary

$75,900.00 - $141,900.00

The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type.

Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position.

BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards

Pay Type

Salaried

The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay type for this position.

About Us

At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world.

As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset.

To find out more visit us at https://jobs.bmo.com/ca/en

BMO is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. By learning from each other’s differences, we gain strength through our people and our perspectives. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please contact your recruiter.