Director, ESOP Advisory & Buy-Side M&A

03/19/2026

Address:

320 S Canal Street

Job Family Group:

Customer Shared Services

The BMO Corporate Advisory team (BCA) provides advisory services and related analytics for a broad range of strategic transactions and corporate finance topics to commercial clients and prospects of the bank. BCA works in close partnership with BMO’s commercial banking team to bring a truly strategic approach to its banking relationships, supporting companies throughout their lifecycle. BCA’s services broadly support (i) corporate growth options, including buy-side M&A as well as organic growth; (ii) ownership transition, including both partial and full liquidity options, and (iii) a wide range of general corporate finance topics. The team has a broad and diverse skillset, and is comprised of former investment banking, management consulting, corporate development, private equity and commercial banking professionals.

Within BCA, the team has extensive experience and expertise surrounding ESOPs, supporting these companies across all stages (New ESOP Formations, Early-Stage ESOPs, Mature ESOPs).

The Director is a key leader on deal teams, meeting with clients and prospects of the bank to understand their unique situations and objectives and collaborating across all BMO Financial Group platforms to deliver creative, comprehensive advice and financial analyses to help meet those objectives. As a corporate finance and transaction structuring expert, the Director will assist in driving revenue opportunities by actively working with Relationship Managers in the commercial bank to ensure the successful positioning of BMO as a valued-added advisor and financing source for strategic transactions. The Director will lead in developing and presenting ideas and materials covering topics such as mergers & acquisitions, valuation, shareholder buyouts, ESOPs, recapitalizations, financial returns on capital as well as capital markets transactions. Responsibilities will also include mentoring and developing junior members of the team, presenting at events and conferences, developing thought leadership pieces, collaborating with team members to develop and drive new initiatives as well as collaborating closely with other constituents across the bank.

Find out more about BCA at https://commercial.bmo.com/en/us/solutions/corporate-advisory/

Job Description:

• Operate as key member of the relationship team to position the bank as a strategic advisor to clients and prospects.

• Lead strategic discussions directly with boards of directors, shareholders and executive management teams of clients and prospects.

• Prepare and deliver customized corporate finance analysis and presentations.

• Provide leadership to relationship teams to deliver high-quality, comprehensive transaction execution to differentiate BMO in the minds of clients and prospects – making BMO an indispensable strategic and lending partner.

• Collaborate with commercial banking teams to generate ideas, identify client solutions, pursue sector marketing efforts, cover clients, and deliver timely solutions.

• Provide transaction structuring expertise on debt, equity and hybrid securities. Work with specialists as needed to support successful syndication and sales.

Job Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree, with a focus on finance, economics, or accounting.

• MBA or equivalent experience in finance, accounting and business law.

• 8-10+ years of experience in investment banking, corporate development or corporate finance.

• Experience working with and advising ESOPs throughout the lifecycle

• Experience negotiating and structuring M&A and other transactions.

• Expert knowledge of capital markets, transaction legal matters & risk management.

• Proven leadership skills, including experience with mentoring and developing junior talent.

• Credit analysis understanding.

Provides loan servicing and monitoring support for corporate and commercial lending portfolios in a professional and timely manner. Delivers agreed lending/financing services as specified in the credit agreement/approval and ensures all required policies, guidelines and standards are met.

• Oversees the level of service provided to customers to ensure business results are achieved.
• Provides strategic input into business decisions as a trusted advisor.
• Makes recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and new initiatives, based on an in-depth understanding of the business/group.
• Identifies emerging issues and trends to inform decision-making.
• Acts as a subject matter expert on relevant regulations and policies.
• Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives.
• May network with industry contacts to gain competitive insights and best practices.
• Manages resources and leads the execution of strategic initiatives to deliver on business and financial goals.
• Supports the execution of strategic initiatives in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Helps determine business priorities and best sequence for execution of business/group strategy.
• Acts as the prime subject matter expert for internal/external stakeholders.
• Ensures alignment between stakeholders.
• Monitors and tracks performance, and addresses any issues.
• Designs and produces regular and ad-hoc reports, and dashboards.
• Leads change management programs of varying scope and type, including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation and sustainment of initiatives.
• Leads the development of the communication strategy focusing on positively influencing or changing behaviour.
• Leads the execution of operational programs; assesses and adapts as needed to ensure quality of execution.
• Reviews the program for effectiveness, considers industry trends and recommends enhancements; makes changes as required.
• Processes more complex transactions and activities.
• Researches and resolves discrepancies and issues or escalates to manager, as required.
• Leads/participates in the design, implementation and management of core business/group processes.
• Identifies business needs, designs/develops tools and training programs; may include delivery of training to audiences.
• Acts as the day to day contact for vendors; supports the implementation, maintenance, and sustainment of vendor solutions.
• Collaborates to execute loan servicing and monitoring requests.
• Prepares customer notifications and billings, and processes services and transactions including (but not limited to) loan advances/payments, wire transfers, billing for principal/interest/fees, monitoring collateral positions, financial exceptions, etc.
• Executes and manages documentation to ensure that records are maintained in a proper manner.
• Analyzes data and information to provide insights and recommendations.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to deliver on business objectives.
• Supports change management of varying scope and type; tasks typically focused on execution and sustainment activities.
• Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders.
• Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a specialist resource to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Applies expertise and thinks creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to problems that can be complex and non-routine.
• Implements changes in response to shifting trends.
• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

  Qualifications:

• Typically 7+ years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of business unit’s products and services, processes and controls – Expert.
• Knowledge of standard desktop applications (i.e. Excel, etc.) and department systems and applications – Expert.
• Understanding of business unit’s risk and regulatory requirements – Expert.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment.
• 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.

Salary:

$102,000.00 - $190,000.00

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 BMOCareers.Support@bmo.com 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.