Director, Strategic Initiatives

Provides subject matter expertise in the design, development, management and implementation of strategic initiatives from business case development through execution. Works across BMO to deliver program and business results aligned with overall group goals. Fosters a culture aligned to BMO purpose, values, and strategy and role models BMO values and behaviours in all that they do. 

In this role, the Director, Strategic Initiatives will work closely with the Head, Canadian Consumer Credit (Retail Risk). This position operates at the intersection of strategy, risk oversight, and business operations, strengthening execution discipline, governance, and operating effectiveness across the Canadian Consumer Credit function. The Director ensures that strategy is translated into structured plans, aligned execution, and measurable outcomes. 

Acting as a central integrator across priorities, the Director ensures strategy is translated into structured plans, aligned execution, and measurable outcomes - bringing clarity, discipline, and consistency to how the function operates.

Key Accountabilities 

Strategic Leadership & Advisory 

• Acts as a trusted advisor to senior leaders for making business decisions and implementing strategic initiatives. 

• Develops an expert understanding of business/group challenges and strategic priorities. 

• Recommends measures to improve organizational effectiveness and execution discipline. 

• Connects work to BMO’s purpose, sets clear outcomes, and ensures accountability for results. 

• May consult to or serve on governance forums, committees, and task forces. 

Strategic Planning, Execution & Governance 

• Manages resources and leads execution of strategic initiatives to deliver on business and financial goals. 

• Translates strategic priorities into structured plans with clear milestones, ownership, and success measures. 

• Establishes and maintains operating cadence (e.g., weekly, monthly, quarterly reviews). 

• Ensures initiatives align with enterprise governance requirements and standards. 

• Leads implementation of complex, cross-functional initiatives across BMO.

• Standardizes governance forums, materials, and decision processes to ensure consistency and scalability of execution.

Cross-Functional Alignment & Stakeholder Management 

• Builds and leads interdependent teams that collaborate across functional groups (e.g., credit risk, strategy, collections, finance, business lines). 

• Aligns stakeholders on priorities, sequencing, and interdependencies. 

• Facilitates decision-making and helps resolve competing priorities. 

• Acts as a relationship manager to ensure alignment with enterprise and group objectives. 

• Fosters strong networks across teams to drive business outcomes. 

Performance Tracking, Analytics & Reporting 

• Defines business requirements for analytics and reporting to support data-driven decision making. 

• Develops and maintains performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting frameworks. 

• Monitors progress, risks, dependencies, and outcomes; ensures clear visibility into results. 

• Breaks down complex problems, analyzes data, and provides actionable insights and recommendations.

• Maintains disciplined tracking of commitments, dependencies, and follow-ups to ensure accountability and timely execution.

• Measures, synthesizes, and communicates key achievements and impact, ensuring clear and consistent visibility of outcomes for leadership and governance forums.

Communication & Executive Enablement 

• Develops clear, concise, executive-ready materials for leadership forums. 

• Synthesizes complex information into structured insights and recommendations. 

• Communicates abstract concepts in simple, practical terms. 

• Supports consistent communication of priorities, progress, and outcomes across stakeholders. 

Transformation, Process Improvement & AI Enablement 

• Assesses and adapts operational programs; develops new capabilities to support ongoing success. 

• Leads process improvement and reengineering to enhance scalability and effectiveness. 

• Supports adoption of advanced capabilities, including data, technology, and AI-driven solutions. 

• Anticipates trends and drives continuous improvement in ways of working. 

Change Management & Delivery 

• Leads change management activities to support implementation and adoption of strategic initiatives. 

• Develops and executes change plans, including stakeholder engagement and readiness activities. 

• Identifies risks and issues, escalates where needed, and drives solutions to ensure successful delivery. 

• Provides coaching on complex strategic and business issues to enable effective outcomes. 

Leadership, Culture & Risk 

• Fosters a culture aligned to BMO purpose, values and strategy; role models expected behaviours. 

• Promotes diversity, inclusion, and strong team collaboration. 

• Attracts, retains, and develops top talent; supports performance and career growth. 

• Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level as a senior specialist resource. 

• Applies the Risk Management Framework, taking measured risks and making sound, risk-informed decisions aligned with policies and regulatory requirements. 

Qualifications 

Experience & Expertise 

• Typically 9+ years of relevant experience and graduate degree in a related field (Business, Finance, Economics, or quantitative discipline) or equivalent experience. 

• Extensive experience in financial services, strategy, risk, consulting, or business transformation. 

• Strong understanding of retail credit risk, portfolio management, and/or model governance is an asset. 

• Recognized as a seasoned expert and thought leader with strong industry knowledge. 

Execution Leadership & Transformation 

• Proven experience delivering complex, cross-functional initiatives with clear ownership of outcomes. 

• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into structured plans, governance routines, and measurable results. 

• Experience with process improvement, reengineering, and large-scale transformation initiatives. 

• Exposure to data, technology, and AI-driven capabilities and their application to business performance. 

Core Skills 

• Verbal & written communication skills – Expert. 

• Analytical and problem solving skills – Expert. 

• Influence and stakeholder management skills – Expert. 

• Collaboration & team skills with a focus on cross-group alignment – Expert. 

• Strong judgment and ability to manage ambiguity and complexity. 

• Data-driven decision making – Expert.