Senior Manager, Risk Governance

BMO U.S.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement savings plans

Accident and life insurance

Job summary

The Senior Manager, Risk Governance at BMO Financial Group leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of risk governance Frameworks to ensure oversight, transparency, and regulatory compliance across the enterprise.

Based in the United States, you will influence senior stakeholders across lines of defense, drive governance initiatives, and partner with ERPM to strengthen the risk management framework and regulatory alignment.

Qualifications

• Typically 7-10 years of experience in risk management, governance, compliance, or related disciplines.
• Significant experience developing or overseeing governance frameworks, policies, or enterprise oversight programs.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk management, regulatory expectations, and internal control principles within a large financial institution.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Leads design, development, implementation, and enhancement of risk governance frameworks and supporting guidance.
• Establishes governance practices aligned with the Risk Management Framework and regulatory expectations.
• Provides governance expertise and challenge to stakeholders on governance frameworks and requirements.
• Leads assessments of governance effectiveness and opportunities to strengthen practices and control environments.
• Oversees governance reporting, metrics, dashboards, and management information for executive decision-making.
• Identifies trends and translates them into actionable governance improvements.
• Leads complex governance initiatives, including framework enhancements and change management.
• Supports regulatory examinations, audits, and remediation activities as a governance SME.

Skills

Governance frameworks

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder influence

Strategic thinking

Analytical

Communication

Leadership

Job description

This role is part of the Risk Governance Office (RGO) within Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), which is part of Enterprise Risk & Portfolio Management (ERPM), BMO's second line of defense. The Risk Governance Office is responsible for developing, maintaining, and overseeing the frameworks, standards, methodologies, and practices that support effective risk governance, clear accountability, and consistent execution of the Risk Management Framework (RMF) across the enterprise and Combined U.S. Operations (CUSO).

The Senior Manager, Risk Governance leads the design, implementation, oversight, and continuous enhancement of risk governance frameworks, standards, and practices that support effective oversight, transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance. The role provides thought leadership, governance expertise, independent challenge, and strategic advisory support to help ensure governance requirements remain effective and are implemented consistently across the organization.

Key Accountabilities

• Leads the design, development, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of risk governance frameworks, standards, methodologies, and supporting guidance.
• Establishes and maintains governance practices that support effective execution of the Risk Management Framework and alignment with regulatory expectations, industry practices, and business strategy.
• Provides strategic advice, governance expertise, and effective challenge to stakeholders on the application and implementation of governance frameworks, policies, standards, and requirements.
• Leads assessments of governance effectiveness and identifies opportunities to strengthen governance practices, oversight activities, operating models, and control environments.
• Oversees the development of governance reporting, metrics, dashboards, and management information, providing insights and recommendations to support executive decision-making.
• Identifies emerging governance, regulatory, and industry trends and translates them into actionable recommendations to enhance governance frameworks and practices.
• Leads complex governance, regulatory, and strategic initiatives, including framework enhancements, implementation activities, stakeholder engagement, communications, and change management.
• Supports regulatory examinations, audits, reviews, and remediation activities, acting as a key governance subject matter expert.
• Develops governance tools, methodologies, and supporting resources that promote consistency, transparency, and effective governance execution.
• Influences senior stakeholders across business groups, corporate functions, and jurisdictions to drive alignment and effective governance outcomes.
• Builds strong partnerships across the three lines of defense and provides leadership on governance-related matters impacting the enterprise.
• Analyzes complex information and exercises sound judgment to identify issues, risks, and opportunities, developing practical and sustainable solutions.

Qualifications

• Typically 7-10 years of experience in risk management, governance, compliance, audit, internal controls, regulatory management, or related disciplines.
• Significant experience developing, implementing, or overseeing governance frameworks, policies, standards, controls, or enterprise oversight programs.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk management, regulatory expectations, and internal control principles within a large financial institution.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, problem-solving, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to operate independently and exercise judgment on complex governance, regulatory, and business matters.

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 https://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.