Senior Operational Risk Testing Officer

BMO Harris Bank; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Accident and life insurance

Retirement savings plans

Job summary

BMO Harris Bank's related role focuses on developing, managing, and executing formal testing to assess control environments and regulatory adherence. The Centralized Testing Team conducts risk-based testing plans and reports results, coordinating remediation with owners across business units.

The position emphasizes independent testing, risk assessment, and governance alignment within the bank's frameworks, with a strong emphasis on collaboration with regulators and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Typically minimum of 6 years of relevant experience and a degree; Masters preferred.
• In-depth knowledge and experience in Operational Risk Management in a Financial Institution.
• Industry Certification preferred.
• Ability to run data analytics in Excel and extrapolate meaningful analysis.
• Strong independent testing skills.
• Strong relationship building skills to work with key stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop testing strategies and methodologies to assess the effectiveness of the Bank's control environment.
• Execute independent testing across the organization from both a Transversal and Business Unit perspective.
• Determine testing samples by performing in-depth risk-based analysis of the Domains.
• Identify issues and develop recommendations to address any gaps during the test execution.
• Ensure implementation of consistent control frameworks across the enterprise.
• Assess complex monitoring activities related to control frameworks and regulatory requirements.
• Act as a SME around the Bank's Control Frameworks.
• Build professional relationships with stakeholders and regulators.
• Works independently and handles non-routine situations.

Skills

Operational Risk Management

Data analytics in Excel

Independent testing

Relationship building

Testing methodologies

Communication skills

Project management

Strategic thinking

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Application Deadline: 11/06/2026

Address: 320 S Canal Street

Job Family Group: Audit, Risk & Compliance

The Centralized Testing Team is a 2nd Line of Defense role responsible for the development, management, and execution of formal testing, monitoring, quality assurance, and review of the 1st and 2nd Line activities to assess the effectiveness of the control environment and program adherence to the bank's governance frameworks. This position will develop testing plans, test scripts, execute testing at both the transversal bank level and within specific business units, report on test results, recommend actions on any gaps identified and work with the Bank Groups to ensure remediation of those gaps.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop testing strategies and methodologies to assess the effectiveness of the Bank's control environment.
• Execute independent testing across the organization from both a Transversal and Business Unit perspective.
• Determine testing samples by performing in-depth risk-based analysis of the Domains.
• Identify issues and develop recommendations to address any gaps during the test execution. Work with issue owners to develop Management Action Plans and work with the identified owners to remediate such gaps through closure.
• Ensure implementation of consistent control frameworks across the enterprise.
• Assess complex monitoring activities associated with the control frameworks. Ensure activities are performed accurately, thoroughly, and in accordance with dynamic regulatory, operational risk requirements, and/or industry best practices, and activities meet timeframe standards.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert around the Bank's Control Frameworks
• Build effective professional relationships with business group, internal/external stakeholders and trust with regulators.
• Works independently and regularly handles non-routine situations.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provides advice and guidance to assigned business/group on implementation of solutions aligned to regulatory risk appetite based on an understanding of business operations and stakeholder needs.
• Identifies and advises on emerging issues and trends to inform decision-making.
• Analyses and reports on compliance data, and related data to gain insights on regulatory risk.
• Conducts and/or effectively challenges risk assessments for business/group and assists to identify more effective compliance controls.
• Performs and/or effectively challenges monitoring and testing activities to ensure regulatory compliance controls are operating and aligned to regulatory requirements.
• Supports root cause analysis in response to material control failures in business/group.
• Identifies, assesses, effectively challenges and oversees the satisfactory resolution of issues, including ensuring adequate management remediation plans and validation. Elevates high profile issues/risk cases to Compliance and business/group management for prompt resolution.
• Analyzes and reports compliance information to Compliance and business/group management.
• Develops and maintains a high level of expertise in all regulations, directives and guidance which apply to the group(s) supported.
• Provides input to business/group on emerging risks, regulatory developments and interpretation of regulations.
• Accesses, monitors and reports on sensitive Bank, customer, transactional and employee information to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Communicates the roles and importance of each of the three lines of defense, and proactively identifies regulatory risk.
• Provides specialized consulting, analytical and technical support.
• Exercises judgment to identify, diagnose, and solve problems within given rules.
• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications:

• Typically minimum of 6 years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Masters preferred.
• In-depth knowledge and experience in Operational Risk Management in a Financial Institution.
• Industry Certification preferred
• Ability to run data analytics in Excel and extrapolate meaningful analysis.
• Strong independent testing skills.
• Strong relationship building skills to work with key stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• In-depth knowledge of the organization's control frameworks.
• Knowledge of testing methodologies.
• Ability to work independently under tight time constraints with minimal need for oversight and peer review to ensure adherence to the control framework.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple high priority projects.
• Must be able to quickly grasp complex strategies.
• Mastery of the Microsoft Suite of products including, Power Point, Word, and Excel
• Strong communication, critical thinking, relationship management and project management skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills - In-depth
• Collaboration and team skills - In-depth
• Analytical and problem-solving skills - In-depth
• Influence skills - In-depth
• Data driven decision making - In-depth.

Salary: $75,000.00 - $160,000.00

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.

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.