Senior counsel, ai & emerging technologies

BMO Financial Group; Toronto; On-site; CAD 111,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in Toronto is seeking an experienced Senior Counsel focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. In this role, you will provide legal guidance on AI procurement and integration, supporting BMO's AI transformation initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a Juris Doctor or equivalent, with at least 5 years of experience in technology law. You’ll be crucial in shaping AI governance practices and ensuring compliance within one of North America's most innovative banks.

Benefits

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement savings plan

Performance-based incentives

Discretionary bonuses

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a technology lawyer, leading emerging technology initiatives.
• Proficiency with AI tools and platforms.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the integration of AI into BMO products.
• Contribute to governance frameworks for responsible AI.
• Negotiate complex agreements related to AI technologies.

Skills

Legal expertise in AI

Analytical and problem-solving

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decision making

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Tools

AI tools like Microsoft Copilot

Job description

Application Deadline:

12/15/2025

Address:

100 King Street West

Job Family Group:

Legal

BMO Financial Group (BMO) is seeking an experienced and innovative technology lawyer to support the bank’s adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. As Senior Counsel, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, you will act as the subject matter expert on legal and regulatory issues related to AI, including its procurement, development, management and integration into products and services at BMO. You will also play a pivotal role in supporting BMO’s firmwide AI transformation and governance efforts.

The ideal candidate will have a sophisticated understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape relating to AI and emerging technology risks. Acting as a trusted advisor to BMO’s lines of business lawyers, you will provide forward-looking support and strategic advice. This role offers a unique opportunity to help shape the future of AI governance and digital transformation at one of North America’s largest and most technologically innovative financial institutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Support lawyers across BMO’s lines of businesses with the integration of AI into their products and services.
• Contribute to BMO’s governance frameworks and policies for responsible AI use and principles.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, and deployment of AI tools for legal use cases (e.g., contract review).
• Stay up to date and informed on AI-related laws and regulations, frameworks, government initiatives, and industry best practices, as well as emerging trends in machine learning, natural language processing, LLMs and generative AI.
• Structure, draft and negotiate complex commercial agreements and relationships with vendors, partners and other third parties related to artificial intelligence technologies.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and other educational initiatives relating to the adoption of AI and emerging technologies.
• Communicate effectively with BMO’s leadership and key stakeholders about BMO’s AI and emerging technology initiatives.
• Makes recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and new initiatives, based on an in-depth understanding of the business/group.
• May participate in the design of legal advice strategies & approaches for the unit activity and making recommendations to minimize legal issues.
• Acts as the prime subject matter expert for internal/external stakeholders.
• Exercises judgement on complex, confidential and sensitive matters.
• Identifies and resolves moderately complex issues.
• Determines root causes and negotiates resolutions.
• Delivers legal advice, instructs external counsel and ensures compliance with internal policies & procedures for a single or small number of function(s).
• Acts as a subject matter expert on relevant laws, regulations and policies.
• Resolves daily issues and/or escalates with appropriate analysis and/or recommendations.
• Identifies risks and implements appropriate actions to mitigate them.
• Implements areas of improvement to ensure consistency with marketplace.
• Builds effective relationships with internal/ external stakeholders.
• Geographic scope: up to global.
• Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a specialist resource to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Applies expertise and thinks creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to problems that can be complex and non-routine.
• Implements changes in response to shifting trends.
• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and licence to practice law in Ontario.
• 5+ years of experience leading emerging technology initiatives or as a technology lawyer in a law firm or in-house role.
• Proficiency with AI tools and platforms (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, Harvey)
• Familiarity with AI model lifecycles, data governance, and responsible AI practices, especially as they apply to legal use cases / financial services industry is an asset but not required.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of business and regulatory environment in which BMO Financial Group operates.
• Seasoned professional with a combination of education, experience and industry knowledge.
• Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth / Expert.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills - In-depth / Expert.
• Influence skills - In-depth / Expert.
• Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration - In-depth / Expert.
• Able to manage ambiguity.
• Data driven decision making - In-depth / Expert.

Salary

$111,800.00 - $208,000.00

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.