Director, Commercial & Wealth Communications

Bank of Montreal•Chicago, IL

About The Position

BMO’s high-growth U.S. Banking group is seeking a leader for its communications portfolio supporting our Commercial and Wealth businesses, demonstrating that BMO helps clients, communities and colleagues make real financial progress and supporting our growth goals. The Director, Commercial & Wealth Communications is responsible for developing an external positioning platform for BMO’s leading Commercial Bank with crossover to consideration for our Wealth business. They will lead a team of experienced professionals and vendors to execute internal and external elements of their plan, in addition to internal communications for key elements of our U.S. Banking communications program. Must demonstrate ability to create and lead strategic communications that support both reputation and culture. Experience leading diverse teams formally and informally in a large organization a plus, as well as agency experience or agency management experience. Leader 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. Develop a positioning platform and supporting program for BMO’s U.S. Commercial Bank, reaching business owners and leaders. Lead a team of experienced professionals and partners to deliver results that support consideration for BMO. Apply an integrated communications lens across stakeholder audiences, including maintaining internal communications approaches that support alignment and engagement. Oversee executive communications professionals partnering with executive leaders in our business. 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 understand business objectives, identify opportunities and maximize results. 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

15+ years of relevant experience
Integrated communications experience required.
Ability to take technical and complex information and distill it to key messages that make sense.
Demonstrated experience influencing and coaching senior leaders.
Technical leader viewed as a thought leader for innovation.
Able to manage ambiguity with agility as the external environment changes.
Expert-level skill required: Writing & editing skills - Expert.
Expert-level skill required: Verbal & written communication skills - Expert.
Expert-level skill required: Analytical and problem solving skills - Expert.
Expert-level skill required: Influence skills - Expert.
Expert-level skill required: Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration - Expert.
Expert-level skill required: Data driven decision making - Expert.

Nice To Haves

Marketing experience in a B2B environment a plus.
MBA or post-secondary degree in Communications/Public Relations, Marketing or a related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop a positioning platform and supporting program for BMO’s U.S. Commercial Bank, reaching business owners and leaders.
Lead a team of experienced professionals and partners to deliver results that support consideration for BMO.
Apply an integrated communications lens across stakeholder audiences, including maintaining internal communications approaches that support alignment and engagement.
Oversee executive communications professionals partnering with executive leaders in our business.
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 understand business objectives, identify opportunities and maximize results.
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.