Application Deadline:
08/14/2025
Address:
320 S Canal Street
Job Family Group:
Business Management
As Director, Issues Oversight and Testing, this risk professional will lead risk & control testing, audit oversight, and issues management (including control gap identification and mitigation). The Director helps to drive a control-oriented culture across the line of business through their collaboration and partnership with colleagues in each of the lines of defense. Supports the business/group leader in the effective implementation, maintenance and administration of first line of defense (1st LOD) programs (e.g. control testing, issues management, audit and regulatory exam management, data quality testing, etc.), including overseeing business operations to ensure adherence and efficiency. Contributes to a strong risk management culture through collaboration with other first line employees, and second & third line functions to ensure risks are identified, mitigated, monitored and reported on an ongoing basis.

• Leads the identification, analysis and future mitigation of risk issues and events.
• Implements a highly efficient, consistent and insightful target state Issues Management program for the operating group
• Develops and implements a highly efficient, consistent and insightful target state Process, Risk, and Control ("PRC") testing program for the operating group.
• Monitors and tracks performance and addresses any issues.
• Acts as a subject matter expert in the evaluation, development and implementation of an internal control system.
• Analyze results, identify control weaknesses/gaps, and suggest actions to mitigate risk and liaise directly with 2LOD on effective challenges.
• Analyze reporting to identify themes, trends, and/or patterns. Encourage first line self-identification of control gaps.
• Prepare and distribute thematic reporting quarterly (at a minimum).
• Develop, maintain, and refresh internal risk management procedures applicable to the group.
• Provides audit and regulatory exam oversight; assesses results and identifies control breakdowns and thematic issues, reviews remediation plans for sustainability
• Develops an expert understanding of business/group challenges.
• Develops longer term program strategies assessing both internal needs & industry trends to deliver best-in-class programs for BMO.
• Fosters a culture aligned to BMO purpose, values and strategy and role models BMO values and behaviours in all that they do.
• Ensures alignment between values and behaviour that fosters diversity and inclusion.
• Regularly connects work to BMO's purpose, sets inspirational goals, defines clear expected outcomes, and ensures clear accountability for follow through.
• Builds interdependent teams that collaborate across functional and operating groups to create the highest value for all stakeholders.
• Attracts, retains, and enables the career development of top talent.
• Improves team performance, recognizes and rewards performance, coaches employees, supports their development, and manages poor performance.
• Acts as a strategic partner to ensure the program elements becomes an integrated component of the overall business/group strategies.
• Supports multiple, varied business units with significant complexity & business transaction risk.
• Acts as a subject matter expert on relevant regulations and policies.
• Prepares and briefs senior leaders on regulatory matters across multiple businesses/groups.
• Monitors and advises on management of risk requirements within the defined risk appetite.
• Manages/supports large/complex risk programs/frameworks /projects/initiatives to ensure risks are appropriately mitigated and regulations adhered to.
• Monitors industry and legislative developments and continuously updates programs to ensure they are competitive and effective.
• Supports the position on regulatory compliance issues by interpreting requirements (existing, new and emerging) and identifying, analysing and addressing resultant gaps and issues, including those raised through the review of change initiatives.
• Understands the identified risk exposures and supports the development of action plans required to mitigate identified risks.
• Represents the business/group on Governance/Risk Working Groups/Forums and provides regular updates.
• May establish/manage a 1st LOD control group to oversee business/group adherence to the applicable risk managements requirements. May include evaluating the effectiveness of the controls, reporting on risk assessments and reviews, ensuring the business/group management addresses any identified risks and control deficiencies and the provision of advice and guidance to management concerning the design, and operation of the business/group controls.
• May consult to or serve on various committees and task forces.
• Acts as the prime contact for internal/external stakeholder relationships, including regulators.
• Breaks down strategic problems, and analyses data and information to provide insights and recommendations.
• Leads change management programs of varying scope and type, including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation and sustainment of initiatives.
• Leads the execution of operational programs; assesses and adapts as needed to ensure quality of execution.
• Monitors to ensure that 1st line jobs are following defined processes and procedures.
• Develops, documents and maintains business/group procedures updating and obtaining approvals as regulations or the operating environment changes and communicates changes to the business/group & relevant stakeholder groups.
• Designs measurable sustainment strategies including assessing and recommending mitigations for industry/ segment-specific risks and prioritizing opportunities presented by internal and external stakeholders.
• Tracks exception/exemption requests and corresponding approvals.
• Facilitates training to ensure business unit employees fully understand requirements.
• Provides quality control for investigations, self-reports, examinations and independent reviews conducted by internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, providing verbal and written responses to requests for positions, action plans, information and/or documentation.
• Builds awareness, knowledge, and skills and, as necessary, provides communication, practical tools and ongoing support including making presentations, to promote a culture of risk identification and management.
• Supports the management of 1st LOD program for the business/group in compliance with appropriate principles, standards & direction from the second line of defense groups. Includes developing and promoting program and ensuring the execution of all program components.
• Works with assigned business/group leaders to implement 1st LOD programs and frameworks, developing and maintaining an in-depth understanding of the applicable regulatory and internal risk management requirements. Interprets and provides advice on the application of the requirements for the business/group.
• Develops and maintains an understanding of the business/group strategies and objectives, products and services, internal and external stakeholders and business processes as well as the underlying infrastructure to identify and manage implications and risk exposures for the business/group.
• Identifies, investigates, analyzes, documents & mitigates program risks, taking into account jurisdictional issues, and raises any issues or concerns to senior leaders and other stakeholders.
• Analyzes the impact and effectiveness of the program through periodic reviews.
• Recommends adjustments to the overall program, policy or processes within the business/group in accordance with the Risk Appetite Statement, Governance and Corporate Policy.
• Supports the business/group through internal/external audits or regulatory examinations and assists in development of action plans to resolve any identified issues.
• Provides support to the development and delivery of training and awareness programs within the business/group to increase awareness of and compliance to risk management requirements.
• Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a senior specialist resource across BMO.
• Directs strategic programs that impact BMO and provides integrated management of subsidiary projects and internal or external stakeholders.
• Provides overall program level change leadership to ensure program vision and objectives are achieved and effectively integrated across BMO.
• Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders.
• Ensures alignment between stakeholders.
• Influences how teams/groups work together.
• Applies expertise and thinks creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to multiple, interdependent, complex problems.
• Communicates abstract concepts in simple terms.
• Fosters strong internal and external networks and works with and across multiple teams to achieve business objectives.
• Anticipates trends and responds by implementing appropriate changes.
• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

• Typically 9+ years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seasoned expert in Control Testing and reporting practices
• Program management skills - Expert.
. click apply for full job details