Senior Manager, Business Risk

BMO; Toronto; On-site; CAD 86,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

BMO Financial Group is seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager to support the 1st Line of Defense risk programs across operational risk, AML, compliance, and regulatory areas. You will partner with business leaders to implement, monitor and evolve risk programs while ensuring adherence to governance standards.

The role requires strong program management, analytical thinking and excellent communication skills to influence across multiple lines of defense and with regulators.

Qualifications

• Typically 7+ years of relevant experience in a program management or risk role.
• Strong program management skills with ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication across senior stakeholders.
• Analytical thinker capable of data-driven decision making.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across groups.
• Comfort handling ambiguity and complex regulatory environments.

Responsibilities

• Support 1LOD programs, risk management and regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Partner with senior leaders to develop strategy and roadmaps for risk programs.
• Lead governance activities and coordinate with 2LOD and 3LOD functions.
• Monitor program performance and drive measurable improvements.
• Communicate findings and action plans to stakeholders and regulators.

Skills

Program management

Verbal communication

Written communication

Analytical thinking

Influence

Collaboration

Ambiguity tolerance

Data-driven decisions

Education

Post-secondary degree

Job description

Application Deadline:

11/22/2026

Address:

100 King Street West

Job Family Group:

Business Management

Supports the business/group leader in the effective implementation, maintenance and administration of first line of defense (1st LOD) programs (e.g., operational risk, AML, compliance, regulatory, etc.), including overseeing business operations within the jurisdiction to ensure adherence and efficiency. Contributes to a strong risk management culture through collaboration with other first line employees, and second & third line functions to ensure Compliance, AML or operational risks are identified, mitigated, monitored and reported on an ongoing basis.

• Fosters a culture aligned to BMO purpose, values and strategy and role models BMO values and behaviours in all that they do.
• Ensures alignment between values and behaviour that fosters diversity and inclusion.
• Regularly connects work to BMO’s purpose, sets inspirational goals, defines clear expected outcomes, and ensures clear accountability for follow through.
• Makes recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and new initiatives, based on an in-depth understanding of the business/group.
• Acts as a strategic partner in which the program elements becomes an integrated component of the overall business/group strategies and helps drive business impact.
• Prepares and briefs senior leaders on regulatory matters across multiple businesses/groups.
• Supports multiple, similar business units with moderate complexity & business transaction risk.
• Represents the business/group on Governance/Risk Working Groups/Forums and provides regular updates.
• Monitors and advises on management of risk requirements within the defined risk appetite.
• Manages/supports large/complex risk programs/frameworks /projects/initiatives to ensure risks are appropriately mitigated and regulations adhered to.
• Monitors industry and legislative developments and continuously updates programs to ensure they are competitive and effective.
• Identifying, analysing and addressing gaps and issues. Understands the identified risk exposures and supports the development of action plans required to mitigate identified risks.
• Acts as a subject matter expert in the evaluation, development and implementation of an internal control system.
• May network with industry contacts to gain competitive insights and best practices.
• Recommends business priorities, advises on resource requirements and develops roadmap for strategic execution.
• Manages resources and leads the execution of strategic initiatives to deliver on business and financial goals.
• Conducts independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues.
• Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders.
• Ensures alignment between stakeholders.
• Acts as the prime subject matter expert for internal/external stakeholders with regards to corporate standards, policies and frameworks.
• Breaks down strategic problems, and analyses data and information to provide insights and recommendations.
• Monitors and tracks performance, and addresses any issues.
• Leads change management programs of varying scope and type, including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation and sustainment of initiatives.
• Leads the execution of operational programs; assesses and adapts as needed to ensure quality of execution.
• Monitoring to ensure that 1st line jobs are following defined processes and procedures.
• Develops, documents and maintains business/group procedures updating and obtaining approvals as regulations or the operating environment changes and communicates changes to the business/group & relevant stakeholder groups.
• Designs measurable sustainment strategies including assessing and recommending mitigations for industry/ segment-specific risks and prioritizing opportunities presented by internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitates training to ensure business unit employees fully understand requirements.
• Provides quality control for investigations, self-reports, examinations and independent reviews conducted by internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, providing verbal and written responses to requests for positions, action plans, information and/or documentation
• Builds awareness, knowledge, and skills and, as necessary, provides communication, practical tools and ongoing support including making presentations, to promote a culture of risk identification and management.
• Supports the design, development, coordination of implementation, automation and continuous improvement of 1LOD LOB risk management programs, including supporting the establishment and maintenance of LOB specific policies standards, business processes and controls across all applicable financial and non-financial risks.
• Works with assigned business/group leaders to interpret, apply and operationalize relevant regulatory frameworks across the LOB/jurisdiction and designs, develops, coordinates and continually improves the LOBs risk management programs and supporting activities to ensure the business operates within the approved risk appetite and optimizes risk return while meeting BMO’s regulatory compliance obligations and consistent with the Bank’s Risk Management Framework
• Conducts or supports self-assessments to demonstrate control effectiveness and adherence, coordinating 1LOD risk remediation efforts, responding to regulatory requirements, implementing policies, and managing risk measurement and reporting.
• Develops and maintains an understanding of the business/group strategies and objectives, products and services, internal and external stakeholders and business processes as well as the underlying infrastructure to identify and manage implications and risk exposures for the business/group.
• Identifies, investigates, analyzes, documents & mitigates program risks, taking into account jurisdictional issues, and raises any issues or concerns to senior leaders and other stakeholders.
• Contributes to a strong risk culture through collaboration with 1LOD, and engagement with Second Line of Defence (2LOD), Corporate Audit (3LOD), to ensure risks related to products, services, and processes are identified, assessed, measured and managed within the approved risk appetite, and reported on an ongoing basis.
• Analyzes the impact and effectiveness of the program through periodic reviews.
• Recommends adjustments to the overall program, policy or processes within the business/group in accordance with the Risk Appetite Statement, Governance and Corporate Policy.
• Supports the business/group through internal/external audits or regulatory examinations and assists in development of action plans to resolve any identified issues.
• Provides support to the development and delivery of training and awareness programs within the business/group to increase awareness of and compliance to risk management requirements.
• Takes measured risks while protecting the bank by applying our Risk Management Framework in the execution of your role, in line with our Risk Culture and within our approved Risk Appetite, making sound and risk informed decisions that align to business strategy, protect assets, and adhere to applicable policy documents (Frameworks, Policies, Standards, Procedures and Supporting documents), laws and regulations.
• 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

• Typically 7+ years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Program Management skills - Expert.
• 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

$85,500.00 - $185,000.00

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, 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.