Managing Director, Risk Governance

BMO; Toronto; On-site; CAD 165,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Accident and life insurance

Retirement savings plans

Job summary

BMO Financial Group seeks a senior leader to head the Risk Framework function within RG&S Risk. The role ensures the Risk Management Framework is applied consistently across the enterprise and U.S. entities, aligning RMF with strategy, risk appetite, and regulatory expectations.

You will provide strategic guidance, lead a diverse team, and drive cross-functional risk initiatives. Key responsibilities include translating regulatory expectations into RMF design, maintaining governance

Qualifications

• Progressive experience in enterprise risk management, governance, risk framework, regulatory or related initiatives.
• Deep knowledge of risk management frameworks and governance practices.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian and U.S. regulatory expectations for large financial institutions.
• Experience designing and evolving enterprise-wide risk management frameworks and cross-functional initiatives.
• Ability to influence senior executives and governance committees across multiple lines of business.

Responsibilities

• Translate evolving regulatory expectations and enterprise strategy into RMF design and application.
• Align RMF to enterprise and CUSO strategy and risk appetite.
• Identify opportunities to enhance RMF coverage across enterprise and U.S. structures.
• Provide advisory and interpretation on RMF and core methodologies (Three Lines of Defence, Effective Challenge).
• Maintain Risk Governance architecture and RMF Material Entity framework.
• Drive consistent RMF application across lines of defence, enterprise, jurisdictions, and Material Entities.
• Lead and mentor a diverse risk team and promote a culture of risk awareness and accountability.

Skills

Risk management

Enterprise risk management

Three Lines of Defence

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Education

University degree in business/finance/economics/law/risk management

Job description

This role leads the Risk Framework function within the Risk Governance & Strategic Risk team (RG&SR). The function is responsible for enabling the Risk Management Framework (RMF) to operate as a single, integrated, and forward-looking effectiveness across the enterprise and U.S. Material Entities and Combined U.S. Operations (CUSO). The role defines and leads the function to ensure the RMF is applied consistently, operates effectively, and evolves in line with strategic and regulatory expectations, providing a clear, enterprise- and CUSO-wide view of risk management effectiveness. Supports the Head, US Enterprise Risk in the execution of decision rights identified on the U.S. Risk Decision Rights Matrix to ensure the effective management of the U.S. in alignment with the U.S. Governance Model.

• Translates evolving regulatory expectations and enterprise strategy into RMF design and application.
• Aligns RMF to enterprise and CUSO strategy, risk appetite, and growth priorities.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance and integrate RMF coverage across enterprise and U.S. structures.
• Provides authoritative advisory and interpretation on RMF and core methodologies, including Three Lines of Defence, Effective Challenge, and Material Entity.
• Maintains Risk Governance architecture, including core constructs and application requirements.
• Administers the RMF Material Entity framework, including population refresh, opt-in management, and entity-level governance alignment.
• Drives consistent application of RMF across the three lines of defence, the enterprise, jurisdictions, and Material Entities.
• Aligns priorities across RG & SR team functions and drives coordinated execution of U.S.-relevant activities through embedded and dual reporting relationships.
• Delivers a consolidated, enterprise-wide view of RMF effectiveness across enterprise and U.S. coverage.
• Identifies systemic themes and cross-cutting issues to inform RMF enhancements.
• Within the mandate of this role, promotes and supports the Bank’s risk culture including ensuring employees understand their accountabilities for risk-taking activities, promoting an environment of open communication and effective challenge, and establishing the “tone from the top” through leading by example.
• Role models driving simplicity and productivity enhancements for optimization across groups driving continuous improvement on key measures.
• Activates our winning culture, aligned with Purpose. Ignites engagement by aligning our culture to our strategy and fueling exceptional execution.
• Fosters an inclusive environment for all employees by eliminating barriers to inclusion.
• Develops leaders, plans for succession, and fosters a high-performance culture.
• Drives top talent acquisition and retention, developing organizational capabilities to drive competitive advantage.
• Leads and mentors a team with diverse risk and business experience, skills, and orientation.
• Leads, promotes, and reinforces the Bank’s Ambition; personally, role models One Bank leadership; drives sustainable improvements in customer loyalty and business growth; adheres and supports enterprise customer experience and brand standards.
• Identifies and escalates U.S. matters that present a material impact for Risk in the areas of: Business Performance, Risk, Legal, Regulatory and Compliance, Talent Management and Technology & Operations.
• Contributes to the sustainment of the U.S. Governance Model within Risk, including information flow and escalation through the appropriate U.S. governance channels.
• Participates as a member of U.S. management committees, as instructed.
• Leads and participates in LOB or Corporate Function leadership forums, developing and using key metrics and details from across Risk.

Qualifications

• University degree in business, finance, economics, law, risk management, or a related discipline; advanced degree and/or relevant professional designation considered an asset.
• 8+ years of progressive experience leading enterprise risk management, risk governance, risk framework, regulatory, compliance, control, or related functions and strategic initiatives within a large, complex, regulated organization.
• Deep knowledge of risk management frameworks and governance practices, including Risk Management Frameworks, Three Lines of Defence, Effective Challenge, Risk Appetite, and related methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian and U.S. regulatory expectations, governance requirements, and supervisory practices applicable to large financial institutions.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and evolving enterprise-wide risk management frameworks, methodologies, standards, governance practices, or related strategic initiatives requiring enterprise-wide governance, regulatory oversight, and cross-functional alignment.
• Proven ability to provide strategic advice and influence senior executives, governance committees, regulators, and stakeholders across multiple business lines, jurisdictions, and functional areas.
• Strong understanding of the interrelationships between strategy, risk appetite, governance, risk management, organizational effectiveness, and business performance.
• Demonstrated ability to identify systemic issues, drive enterprise-wide alignment, and lead complex cross-functional initiatives with significant organizational, regulatory, or strategic impact.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex regulatory, governance, and risk management concepts into practical business outcomes.
• Proven track record of leading, developing, and retaining high-performing teams while fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement in a complex matrix environment.

Please note the base salary range for this role is $165 to $200K CDN

Salary

Pay Type

Salaried

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

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.

Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.