Director, Business Advisory & Succession Planning

BMO•Montreal, QC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Vice President & Head of Business Advisory and Succession Planning, the Director, Business Advisory and Succession Planning is part of a team of Subject Matter Experts (the “SME Team”) within BMO Private Wealth. As a member of the SME Team, you’ll join a team of diverse, highly accredited and experienced accountants, lawyers and business valuation subject matter experts. The SME Team provides business advisory and succession planning services to high and ultra-high net worth (“HNW”) business owner clients to support the growth and retention of HNW client assets through specialized planning solutions that help to broaden the dialogue and enhance the client relationship in order to consolidate client assets and increase revenues with BMO Private Banking, BMO Nesbitt Burns or BMO Commercial advisors (the “BMO Advisors”). A critical objective for this role is the enhancement of the BMO Advisors and Clients’ Experience, thus driving increased profitability, improved market share and Net Promotor Scores.

Requirements

University degree with business orientation (business, finance, accounting, law).
A minimum of 10 years of experience providing valuation and succession planning advice to HNW business owners at a senior level.
Extensive knowledge and technical proficiency.
Experience working in a team of professionals with deep subject matter expertise.
Seasoned professional with a combination of education, experience and industry knowledge.
Extensive knowledge and technical proficiency in the areas of business valuation, mergers & acquisitions, and succession planning.
Experienced, highly integrated and confident in dealing with the HNW private client segment.
Fluent in French and English - Strong communication and presentation skills; both written and verbal.
Ability to communicate in a professional and authoritative manner.
Strong interpersonal skills, flexible and empathetic, self-starter, able to work effectively in a variety of situations in a team-oriented environment.
Ability to communicate complex information in a comprehensive and practical manner, including a strong understanding of client needs and expectations.
Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration.
Motivated with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Strong listening, analytical and problem-solving capabilities; strong consultative selling skills.
Strong team player with solid interpersonal and leadership skills.
Ability to think strategically and simultaneously resolve a magnitude of diverse, complex and ambiguous issues/situations in a creative and practical manner.
Strong prioritization, time management and multi-tasking skills.
Strong presentation and relationship management skills.
Flexible and empathetic, able to work effectively in various situations.
Strong work ethic, work well under pressure.
Ability to resolve a magnitude of diverse complex situations creatively.
Customer service focus.
Teamwork, innovation and growth.

Nice To Haves

Relevant professional designation(s) (CPA, CBV, CFA, FEA, Bar Association) considered an asset.
Practiced in the field of corporate finance and business succession / valuation with a consulting firm and/or held a similar role at another financial institution.
Knowledge of tax, estate and trust planning, insurance and philanthropy considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Provide customized business advisory and succession planning strategies and advice to the HNW client segments.
Act as a subject matter expert in the areas of business valuation and succession planning to properly assess and provide tailored insights and solutions to clients.
Provides guidance and strategies on the topics of business valuation, mergers and acquisitions, sale, growth, family transition and succession related events.
Leverage specialized knowledge and expertise to partner collaboratively with other planning professionals and BMO Advisors.
Demonstrates a consultative and collaborative value-added approach in client conversations, acting as a member of a client strategy team to facilitate the desired client experience and to achieve business goals.
Develop content in the areas of business succession and business owner planning for use as training or marketing materials, internal resource material and client facing material.
Act as a subject matter expert spokesperson on business succession planning both internally and externally to position BMO as a leader in wealth planning services; includes presentations and seminars within BMO and to clients.
Develop proactive, integrated, and customized strategies to help clients achieve their business, financial and personal goal.
Apply well-developed consultative sales and wealth planning principles, practices and techniques in client interactions.
Lead the development of educational programs in the areas of business succession and business owner planning.
Provide commentary and awareness on emerging business succession planning trends relevant to business owners, such as mergers & acquisition, business valuation, taxation, estate and trust planning, sound business and family governance and philanthropy.
Promote the services of the wealth planning and specialized planning professionals to BMO Advisors and other user groups.
Provide BMO Advisors and clients with accurate and detailed subject matter expertise in all areas of business owner advisory and succession planning.
Serve as in-house expert in providing business owner succession planning.
Where appropriate, partner with other planning specialists at BMO (e.g., Financial Planning Specialists, Will & Estate Consultants, Tax Specialists, Trust and Insurance Specialists, Mid-Market Mergers & Acquisitions, etc.)
Apply expertise and think creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to problems that can be complex and non-routine.
Develop/maintain internal and external networks and referral sources to ensure ongoing growth of the business.
Partner with all members of BMO Private Wealth and Commercial Banking to provide a broad-based solutions approach for specific client situations.
Consult with clients and their external advisors on complex business succession planning issues, as required.
Operate at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a specialist resource to senior leaders and stakeholders.
Proactively spot, anchor, introduce and follow up on opportunities for complimentary businesses and solutions.
Assist BMO Advisors with business development, opportunity spotting, and revenue generation.
Lead, motivate and develop relationships with internal and external business partners / stakeholders to develop productive working relationships.
Protect the Bank’s assets by adhering to all banking, investment and lending regulations, Bank policies and procedures, legal and ethical requirements and regulations, process requirements, and established risk guidelines.