Director, Data Foundations, Automation & Infrastructure

Bank of Montreal • Chicago, IL

8d

About The Position

The Director, Data Foundations, Automation & Infrastructure leads a highly technical team responsible for delivering trusted, curated, and scalable data assets that support reporting, analytics, AI, and strategic decision-making across Commercial Banking in Canada and the U.S. The role oversees data engineering, data operations, information infrastructure, and business-managed applications, while influencing the broader Commercial Banking data strategy.

The Director owns the end-to-end data lifecycle, from requirements, data modeling, and architecture through ETL and pipeline development to the reliable production of trusted data within established service levels. Data assets include client, financial, client activity, master, and other key business data. The role partners with business, analytics, AI, Technology, and Data Governance teams to ensure data is accurate, well documented, secure, and easy to use, and leads modernization of data platforms and practices.

The position is central to the organization's cloud modernization, AI-enabled automation, Client 360 capabilities, and near-real-time data delivery. It calls for deep data management expertise, Commercial Banking understanding, technical and people leadership, strategic thinking, and a high standard for quality.

Requirements

• 9+ years of experience in data management, data engineering, or a related field, including leadership of data teams.
• Deep expertise in ETL and data pipeline development, data modeling, and data quality management.
• Strong proficiency in SQL and modern data programming languages such as Python.
• Experience with cloud and modern data platforms.
• Working knowledge of master data, metadata, semantic layers, and data governance practices, including data privacy and integrity.
• Experience operating in a highly regulated environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Post-secondary degree in a related field of study, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Commercial Banking or financial services experience.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the Data Foundations strategy and roadmap, aligned with business, CDAO, and enterprise data priorities.
• Design and maintain architecture and models for curated data assets, including master and reference data, with long-term usability and scalability in mind.
• Establish and uphold standards for data modeling, naming, metadata, integration, and data sharing.
• Lead the design, development, and operation of ETL processes and data pipelines.
• Ensure recurring data production is accurate, timely, reconciled to authoritative sources, and delivered within published service levels.
• Monitor data flows, resolve issues promptly, and drive root-cause remediation.
• Embed data quality checks, validation, and controls throughout the data lifecycle.
• Ensure data is handled securely and protected from loss or unauthorized access in line with legal and company standards.
• Evaluate and adopt technologies, tools, and practices that improve the scalability, efficiency, and resilience of the data ecosystem.
• Partner with Technology on platform strategy, infrastructure, and the path to production.
• Prepare and structure data to support advanced analytics and AI use cases.
• Manage intake and prioritization of data requests transparently, with clear service levels.
• Promote data literacy and self-service through documentation, data dictionaries, and a community of practice.
• Partner with business, analytics, AI, and Technology teams on data definitions, changes, and downstream impacts.
• Partner with Data Governance to meet data quality, metadata, lineage, and data risk requirements.
• Oversee business-managed applications supporting key business processes, from intake and design through delivery, enhancement, and ongoing support.
• Ensure business-managed applications are well controlled and supported, and aligned with BMO technology, data, and risk standards.
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing team of data professionals, working effectively with vendor partners.
• Set clear goals and accountability, coach for growth, foster ownership, quality, and continuous improvement, and attract, retain, and develop talent.
• Role-model BMO values and foster an inclusive culture connected to the organization's purpose.
• Apply the Risk Management Framework and Risk Culture, make sound and risk-informed decisions within approved Risk Appetite, protect assets, and comply with applicable policies, laws, and regulations.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Accident and life insurance
• Retirement savings plans
• Performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, and other perks and rewards may be included in the total compensation package.
• Training and coaching, manager support, and network-building opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director