Business & Operations Development Specialist (New Grad)

BMO Harris Bank; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement savings plans

Job summary

BMO Harris Bank is seeking graduates for its 16-month Business & Operations Development Program in Chicago. You will rotate through three 5-month assignments to build broad experience, learn from senior leaders, and gain hands-on exposure to multiple business lines.

You will work on research, forecasting, pricing, and strategic projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive customer and employee experience improvements.

Qualifications

• Typically 1–2 years of relevant experience with a post-secondary degree or equivalent.
• Experience in retail/business banking environment is helpful.
• Desirable: software/systems architecture knowledge and coding in SQL, Python, Power BI.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and analytical skills.
• Ability to analyze data, identify issues, and support risk and policy development.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains relationships with internal/external stakeholders.
• Supports execution of strategic initiatives with cross-functional teams.
• Designs reports and dashboards to track key metrics.
• Performs market research and competitive analysis to inform decisions.
• Assists in the planning and execution of operational programs.

Skills

SQL

Python

Power BI

Education

Post-secondary degree

Tools

SQL

Python

Power BI

Job description

Application Deadline: 10/08/2026

Address: 320 S Canal Street

Job Family Group: Customer Solutions

BMO's 16-month Business & Operations Development Program is geared towards recruiting, hiring, and developing future leaders of our business by providing hands-on experience, a focused competency training curriculum, and exposure to executive leadership. We are looking for college graduates, early in career talent.

As a Business & Operations Development Program Specialist, you will take part in three 5-month rotations designed to expose each participant to a variety of roles and functions. During each rotation, you will receive access to new skills, training, resources, and senior leadership. This is your opportunity to learn from the best in the industry and launch your career with a competitive edge. Through each one of your rotations, you will gain foundational knowledge across our line of business allowing you to understand where your skills and future interests best fit your career aspirations. You will also gain exposure and valuable hands‑on experience needed to become a future business leader.

Supports the research, development, implementation, and execution of business initiatives that drive organizational objectives and enhance the customer and employee experience. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to analyze business challenges, identify opportunities, develop recommendations, and contribute to strategic projects across U.S. Banking and the COO organization. Carries out market research, forecasting, pricing, and competitive analysis, monitors product and system performance, and assesses problems to develop and implement solutions. Analyzes product risks in compliance with legal, regulatory, and risk compliance, and reporting. Collaborates with internal partners across the enterprise to take products to market.

• Develops solutions and makes recommendations based on an understanding of the business strategy and stakeholder needs.


• Supports the execution of strategic initiatives in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.


• Conducts independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues.


• Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders.


• Ensures alignment between stakeholders.


• Designs and produces regular and ad‑hoc reports, and dashboards.


• Breaks down strategic problems, and analyzes data and information to provide insights and recommendations.


• Monitors and tracks performance, and addresses any issues.


• Supports change management of varying scope and type; tasks typically focused on execution and sustainment activities.


• Provides input into the planning and implementation of operational programs.


• Executes work to deliver timely, accurate, and efficient service.


• Supports development of key metrics and identification of trends.


• Gathers customer and sales feedback and analyzes issues.


• Participates in and evaluates market research and competitive analysis associated with assigned products.


• Participates in and evaluates customer / consumer insights and channels information.


• Competes internal and regulatory reporting.


• Acts as the day to day contact for vendors; supports the implementation, maintenance, and sustainment of vendor solutions.


• Resolves internal, first level customer escalations.


• Leads/participates in the design, implementation, and management of core business / group processes.


• Gathers basic market research and competitive intelligence, including pricing, from publicly available information.


• Runs analyses and reports that support risk management and policy development.


• Defines and implements business cases and strategic roadmaps for banking products and services, including project and budget approvals.


• Designs, implements, manages, and enhances a single product or suite of products throughout the product lifecycle.


• Develops, implements, and monitors key metrics and action plans to optimize financial performance


• Continuously improves processes to identify issues and deliver optimal customer experience.


• Works with partners to develop salesforce training and materials and manages change.


• May support the sales team in development of client deals and related presentations.


• Develops and maintains relationships with external partners and vendors.


• Creates the marketing strategy, including offers and campaigns, and works with Marketing and other partners to execute.


• Develops, implements, and manages product documentation, templates, and requirements to ensure they accurately reflect product and systems functionality.


• Influences and/or determines credit product risk parameters and metrics.


• Focus is primarily on business/group within BMO; may have broader, enterprise-wide focus.


• Exercises judgment to identify, diagnose, and solve problems within given rules.


• Works independently on a range of complex tasks, which may include unique situations.


• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.


• Take 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

.

Qualifications:

• Typically between 1 - 2 years of relevant experience and a post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Working knowledge of retail and business banking environmental awareness / understanding.


• Methodology and process - good


• Analytics and reporting - good


• Desirable: Software and systems architecture knowledge - coding languages SQL, Python, Power BI


• Technical proficiency gained through education and/or business experience.


• Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth.


• Collaboration & team skills - In-depth.


• Analytical and problem solving skills - In-depth.


• Influence skills - In-depth.


• Data driven decision making - In-depth.

Salary:

$55,000.00 - $120,000.00

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 http://jobs.bmo.com/us/en

BMO is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. We also consider applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.

BMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.