Director Operational Resilience

07/30/2026

Address:

100 King Street West

Audit, Risk & Compliance

The Director, Operational Resilience, as a team leader and member of the Operational Resilience Program Team within the Financial Crimes Unit, will be responsible for leading a team that maintains and matures BMO’s Operational Resilience Program.  You will work closely with a broad range of stakeholders across first and second lines and will ensure that the business can continue to operate effectively throughout any incident and meet relevant Operational Resilience targets. In addition, you will maintain Operational Resilience Program activities managing reporting capabilities, guidelines and controls assessing compliance with internal Operational Resilience frameworks, policies and standards, to ensure that BMO’s resilience posture is appropriately managed and continuously improved.

Why this role matters: It drives Enterprise Resilience at Scale

• Shape the Program: The Operational Resilience Program is mature—but still evolving—creating real opportunity to influence structure, reporting, and executive decision‑making.

• Enterprise Impact: Few roles look horizontally across all non‑financial risks. This one does

• Regulatory Importance: Operational Resilience is a global regulatory priority, placing this role at the centre of compliance, governance, and strategic risk conversations.

• Executive Exposure: Reporting informs senior leadership, executives, and the Board supporting investment and decisioning.

• Data‑Driven Leadership: Heavy use of Power BI enables storytelling through analytics—not documentation alone.

This role is ideal for non-financial Operational Resilience subject matter experts or experienced Second Line non‑financial risk leaders ready to apply their enterprise risk expertise in a First Line accountability role.

This is a HYBRID role in our downtown Toronto office. The minimum is two days per week in the office; please note that this requirement may change at any time based on company/business reasons.

KEY Responsibilities:

• The Director, Operational Resilience, as a team leader, and member of the Operational Resilience Program Team within the Financial Crimes Unit, will be responsible for leading a team that maintains and matures BMO’s Operational Resilience Program.

• Maintains Operational Resilience Program activities managing reporting capabilities, guidelines and controls assessing compliance with internal Operational Resilience frameworks, policies and standards, to ensure that BMO’s resilience posture is appropriately managed and continuously improved.

• Provides centralized ownership of OpRes CBPS analytics and reporting that are essential to understanding OpRes CBPS vulnerabilities, risk management status, regulatory compliance and overall status opinion regarding CBPS capabilities to continue to deliver respective CBPS through disruption with the Board approved Impact Tolerance (e.g. the Maximum Tolerable Level of Disruption MTLD)). 

• Strong accountability to create reports using Power BI, and senior/professional level Power Point Slides

• Ensures Operating Groups are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities regarding Operational Resilience and are provided with the relevant guidance, data and management information so they can execute against their Operational Resilience requirements.

• Supports development and reports on the status of the governance program or framework components to various internal & external stakeholder audiences.

• Monitors remediation of the control environment when deficiencies are identified.

CORE Experience/skills required:

• 7-10 years experience in people leadership roles

• 7+ years experience in an Operational Risk environment with expertise in Operational Non-Financial Risk and knowledge of Operational Resilience Programs and regulations

• Strong understanding across the following resilience disciplines for Non-Financial Operational risk:  Cyber Security, Fraud, Business continuity, Incident and Crisis management, Disaster Recovery, Technology Resilience and supplier/vendor management.

• 5+ years working across Operational Non-Financial Risk oversight

• Ideally,  experience  in 2nd Line of Defence in Non-Financial Risk role

• High preference for candidates with experience in the Financial Industry with expertise in Operational Non-Financial Risk.

• Expertise with conducting stress and/or scenario (table-top) testing activities to validate assumptions of resilience. 

• Experience with tailoring Operational Risk programs across Canada ,USA , UK , Ireland, Asia.  (BMO’s Operational Resilience Regulatory requirements exist across the globe in multiple countries)

• Certification in any of the following would be an advantage:  CCSA, CISA, CA, CCSP, ISC, BCI, ITIL. 

• Advanced/Expert level with Power BI skills

• Advanced level of experience with MS Power Point skills.

• Strong data analytics skills, including Microsoft Excel.

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with a demonstrated ability to work independently, lead multiple projects, effectively prioritise, and manage a high-volume of tasks, deadlines, requirements, and decisions.

• Demonstrate leadership behaviours that are consistent with Being BMO Values and Ambition 2030.

• Strong presentation and communication skills.

• Ability to deploy strong critical thinking and problem-solving techniques

Additional Information:

Provides oversight, monitoring and reporting on operational risks for a designated portfolio. Develops and monitors the operational management framework that includes the governance framework & practices leveraged across BMO to manage operational risks. Provides policies & standards, methodologies and controls that increase transparency, accuracy and consistency across groups. Works with stakeholders to implement the methodology, metrics and program standards for the assigned portfolio to ensure compliance as well as effective monitoring, timely reporting and identification of action plans.

• 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 trusted advisor to senior leaders for making business decisions and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Develops an expert understanding of business/group challenges.
• Networks with industry contacts to gather competitive insights and best practices.
• Recommends measures to improve organizational effectiveness.
• May consult to or serve on various committees and task forces.
• Interprets new regulations and assesses impacts to the governance framework.
• Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives.
• Identifies emerging issues and trends to inform decision-making.
• Recommends business priorities, advises on resource requirements and develops roadmap for strategic execution.
• Manages resources and leads the execution of strategic initiatives to deliver on business and financial goals.
• Measures the effectiveness of risk governance system and framework; recommends changes as required.
• Conducts independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues.
• Leads the development and maintenance of the governance system and framework.
• Acts as the prime contact for internal/external stakeholder relationships, which may include regulators.
• Represents the model validation program / portfolio for internal/external regulatory audits and/or examinations.
• Ensures alignment between stakeholders.
• Designs and produces regular and ad-hoc reports, and dashboards.
• Develops and manages comprehensive information management systems; designs and/or leads initiatives to improve processes, analysis and reporting.
• Defines business requirements for analytics & reporting to ensure data insights inform business decision making.
• 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.
• Assesses and adapts existing operational programs; develops new capabilities to ensure ongoing success.
• Leads the execution of operational programs; assesses and adapts as needed to ensure quality of execution.
• Manages the review and sign-off process for relevant regulatory reporting.
• Leads and integrates the monitoring, measurement & reporting on the status of the operational risk governance program to internal & external stakeholders.
• Leads the management of governance meetings and maintenance of governing body mandates, oversight and approval guidelines.
• May provide specialized support for other internal and external regulatory requirements.
• Provides input into the planning and implementation of ongoing operational programs in support of the operational risk framework.
• Leads/participates in the design, implementation and management of core business/group processes.
• Administers and maintains operational risk program activities in adherence to all policies, procedures and established processes.
• Identifies potential risk situations/ impacts, and make recommendations or escalates to the manager, as per guidelines.
• Develops and maintains in-depth knowledge of business and related risk management requirements and legislative/ regulatory directives and guidance.
• Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders e.g. business stakeholders and Corporate Support Areas (CSAs) in providing ‘second line of defense’ operational risk management support.
• Analyzes data and information to provide insights and recommendations; includes identification of risk impacts for new processes and workflows related to initiatives.
• Monitors and tracks performance; addresses any issues.
• Coordinates and monitors the review and sign-off of attestations and reporting.
• Maintains tools and templates for operational risk programs (e.g., Risk Control Self Assessment (RCSA), Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) or regulatory compliance), as required.
• Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a senior specialist resource across BMO.
• 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.

  Qualifications:

• Typically 9+ years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Expert knowledge operational risk management practices.
• Expert knowledge of the designated business / product portfolio.
• Expert knowledge of regulatory requirements.
• Expert knowledge of quantitative techniques and economic capital methodologies.
• Expert knowledge & experience with risk policy frameworks; quality control / testing frameworks.
• Seasoned expert with extensive industry knowledge.
• Technical leader viewed as a thought leader for innovation.
• Verbal & written communication skills - Expert.
• Analytical and problem solving skills - Expert.
• Influence skills - Expert.
• Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration - Expert.
• Able to manage ambiguity.
• Data driven decision making - Expert.

$121,600.00 - $211,800.00

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/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.