Communications Lead, Commercial Bank

BMO Harris Bank; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Disability and life insurance

Retirement savings plans

Job summary

BMO Harris Bank in Chicago seeks a Lead of Corporate Communications to drive external positioning and executive communications for the U.S. Commercial Bank.

You will oversee internal and external programs, align stakeholders, and counsel senior leadership to build brand and reputation. Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in communications, agency and large-organization experience, and a talent for distilling complex topics into clear messages across channels.

Qualifications

• Typically 10+ years of experience in Communications or PR.
• Agency experience and large-organization background is a plus.
• Writing and editing skills — Expert.
• Ability to distill technical information into clear messages for diverse audiences.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• MBA or related degree is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Execute communications to support external consideration for BMO and engage employees internally.
• Oversee executive communications for U.S. Commercial Bank leadership.
• Collaborate across communications, media relations, marketing and partners to achieve positioning goals.
• Provide strategic external communication counsel to senior leadership to build brand and reputation.
• Identify stories and opportunities to profile business advancements in line with strategy.
• Use analytics and benchmarking to measure success and impact.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders to maximize results.
• Monitor feedback and social channels to respond to issues proactively.
• Provide competitive intelligence to inform strategy.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory policies and brand guidelines.

Skills

Writing & editing

Verbal communication

Analytical thinking

Influence

Collaboration

Distill complex information

Education

Post-secondary degree in Communications/PR/Marketing

Job description

Application Deadline: 10/16/2026

Address: 320 S Canal Street

Job Family Group: Corporate Affairs

BMO's high-growth U.S. Banking group is seeking a communications lead for its Commercial Banking businesses, demonstrating that BMO helps clients, communities and colleagues make real financial progress and supporting our growth goals.

The Lead, Corporate Communications is responsible for working with leaders to execute on plans for external positioning and executive communications for BMO's leading Commercial Bank. This integrated communications role will lead internal and external programs for the Commercial Banking team. Must demonstrate execution excellence in support both reputation and culture. Agency experience or agency management experience.

This senior team member will work collaboratively with stakeholders to assess communications needs, recommend communications plans & solutions, secure necessary approvals, and create/deliver communication solutions that effectively support and address communications needs. Delivers high quality communications solutions that target audiences can easily access, understand and action that are alignment with company standards and values.

• Execute communications that support consideration for BMO externally, and engage and align employees internally. Apply an integrated communications lens across stakeholder audiences.
• Oversee executive communications for U.S. Commercial Bank leadership.
• Collaborate across communications, media relations, marketing and business partners to achieve positioning goals.
• Provide strategic external communication counsel and support to senior leadership to build the broader brand and reputation of BMO among business owners and leaders.
• Proactively identify stories and opportunities to profile advancements in the business in alignment with our value proposition and client segment strategy.
• Use analytics and competitive benchmarking to measure success and demonstrate impact.
• Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities and maximize results.
• Monitor and track feedback and social channels to proactively respond to any issues.
• Provide competitive intelligence and insight to inform strategy.
• Work in compliance with regulatory policies, digital and brand guidelines, and updates standards and processes as required to mitigate risk and improve effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Typically 10+ years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience at an agency and in a large organization a plus.
• Writing & editing skills - Expert.
• Uses a straight-talk and story-telling approach for communications.
• Ability to take technical and complex information and distill it to key messages that make sense for the audience.
• 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.
• MBA or post-secondary degree in communications/PR or marketing a plus.

Salary

$100,000.00 - $220,000.00

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.