Communications Lead, Commercial Bank

Bank of Montreal•Chicago, IL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

BMO’s high-growth U.S. Banking group is seeking a communications lead for its Commercial Banking businesses, demonstrating that BMO helps clients, communities and colleagues make real financial progress and supporting our growth goals. The Lead, Corporate Communications is responsible for working with leaders to execute on plans for external positioning and executive communications for BMO’s leading Commercial Bank. This integrated communications role will lead internal and external programs for the Commercial Banking team. Must demonstrate execution excellence in support both reputation and culture. Agency experience or agency management experience. This senior team member will work collaboratively with stakeholders to assess communications needs, recommend communications plans & solutions, secure necessary approvals, and create/deliver communication solutions that effectively support and address communications needs. Delivers high quality communications solutions that target audiences can easily access, understand and action that are alignment with company standards and values. Execute communications that support consideration for BMO externally, and engage and align employees internally. Apply an integrated communications lens across stakeholder audiences. Oversee executive communications for U.S. Commercial Bank leadership. Collaborate across communications, media relations, marketing and business partners to achieve positioning goals. Provide strategic external communication counsel and support to senior leadership to build the broader brand and reputation of BMO among business owners and leaders. Proactively identify stories and opportunities to profile advancements in the business in alignment with our value proposition and client segment strategy. Use analytics and competitive benchmarking to measure success and demonstrate impact. Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities and maximize results. Monitor and track feedback and social channels to proactively respond to any issues. Provide competitive intelligence and insight to inform strategy. Work in compliance with regulatory policies, digital and brand guidelines, and updates standards and processes as required to mitigate risk and improve effectiveness.

Requirements

Typically 10+ years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Expert writing & editing skills.
Uses a straight-talk and story-telling approach for communications.
Ability to take technical and complex information and distill it to key messages that make sense for the audience.
Seasoned professional with a combination of education, experience and industry knowledge.
In-depth / Expert 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.
Able to manage ambiguity.
In-depth / Expert data driven decision making.

Nice To Haves

Agency experience or agency management experience.
Experience at an agency and in a large organization a plus.
MBA or post-secondary degree in communications/PR or marketing a plus.

Responsibilities

Execute on plans for external positioning and executive communications for BMO’s leading Commercial Bank.
Lead internal and external programs for the Commercial Banking team.
Oversee executive communications for U.S. Commercial Bank leadership.
Collaborate across communications, media relations, marketing and business partners to achieve positioning goals.
Provide strategic external communication counsel and support to senior leadership to build the broader brand and reputation of BMO among business owners and leaders.
Proactively identify stories and opportunities to profile advancements in the business in alignment with our value proposition and client segment strategy.
Use analytics and competitive benchmarking to measure success and demonstrate impact.
Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities and maximize results.
Monitor and track feedback and social channels to proactively respond to any issues.
Provide competitive intelligence and insight to inform strategy.
Work in compliance with regulatory policies, digital and brand guidelines, and updates standards and processes as required to mitigate risk and improve effectiveness.