Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives, Capital Markets Operations

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This role will be part of the Trade Servicing & Product Control Domain supporting BMO’s Capital Markets business.  This role will provide strategic input and support to senior leaders for making business decisions and implementing strategic initiatives impacting multiple areas within the Trade Servicing and Product Control domain.  It will support the communications, prioritization, and planning of all high priority initiatives, working closely with senior leaders within Trade Servicing & Product Control and across other domains to ensure alignment with the overall objectives of the group.   Provide recommendations and leadership for corporate programs and initiatives impacting Trade Servicing and Product Control.  Topics are wide ranging, including but not limited to recruiting programs, initiatives to support workforce strategy, systems resilience, interaction with Financial Crimes Unit (FCU) etc.    The incumbent, as an Operations subject matter expert, will also take on accountability for the investigation and resolution of operational challenges, with a focus on ensuring efficiency and effectiveness of process.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

Be the primary Business Lead for selected strategic initiatives impacting the Trade Servicing & Product Control domain, working closely with project managers and other project participants to plan, manage and implement change.      

• Act as the primary point of contact into Trade Servicing and Product Control domain for strategic initiatives, interacting with other domains in Capital Markets Technology & Operations (T&O), as well as corporate areas.
• Assess the operational requirements, identify impacted teams, and lead the discussions to gain agreement on scope, planning and approaches, e.g., use of Agile methodologies, test strategies, etc.   
• Develop business cases and makes recommendations based on an understanding of the business strategy and stakeholder needs.
• Support the communications for strategic initiatives to ensure alignment and focus by all impacted teams.
• Represent Trade Servicing & Product Control domain at project governance forums such as Operating Committees. 

Support the management of the communications, planning, and prioritization of strategic initiatives within Trade Servicing and Product Control domain.  

• Partner with senior management in the domain to document business cases for strategic initiatives, develop budgets, obtain technology input, etc.
• Work with key stakeholders to define business requirements for analytics & reporting to ensure data insights inform business decision making.
• Coordinate across Capital Markets T&O and corporate stakeholders to align objectives and scope to maximize effectiveness.
• Recommend improvements in the planning and prioritization processes for all of Capital Markets T&O.
• Identify and implement internal and external “best practices”, leveraging technology to enable efficiencies and continuous improvements in process delivery.

Provide leadership and act as a contact for projects led by Front Office, other domains and/or corporate areas, for example: Mandatory changes, revenue generating Business Initiatives, process re-engineering, system resilience assessments, simulation exercises initiated by FCU.

• Assess the impact of these activities on the Trade Servicing & Product Control domain to ensure relevant teams are involved when appropriate
• Represent Trade Servicing & Product Control domain on project governance forums such as Operating Committees and Working Committees

• As an Operations critical subject matter expert, contribute to the efficiency of operational functions, using key metrics (KPIs, OKRs), to identify opportunities for improvements and projecting organizational needs.
• Apply subject matter expertise and think creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to multiple, interdependent, complex problems.

Education/Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree at a minimum, post graduate degree in business/investments is an asset.
• 7+ years of experience with investment operations supporting both securities and derivatives.
• Extensive knowledge of investment products, securities, OTC, and Listed Derivatives for all asset classes.
• Experience with system development and project management. Outstanding problem solving/analytical skills.
• Exceptional communication skills, written and verbal. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to interact with all levels of management and staff of operational and technology functions. Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration.
• Strong computer skills, including experience with PowerPoint, MS Power Automate, Power BI. Expert Data driven decision making ability.
• Ability to work well under pressure while managing conflicting priorities. Ability to manage ambiguity.

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/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.