Governance & Controls Specialist

Bank of Montreal • Chicago, IL

13d

About The Position

The Governance & Controls Specialist contributes to the delivery of regulatory programs across applicable Tier 1 Risk Types and supports the design and ongoing improvement of governance requirements, internal controls, and risk management programs. The role supports evidence-based controls across financial and non-financial risks and helps the business comply with regulatory obligations in alignment with BMO’s Risk Management Framework and approved Risk Appetite. It works with multiple similar business units and their regulators, helping implement risk management frameworks while minimizing negative business impacts and developing risk mitigation strategies.

The Specialist supports strategic initiatives, builds relationships with internal and external stakeholders, analyzes information and performance, and helps plan and execute change management activities. Responsibilities include documenting and maintaining procedures, monitoring adherence to defined processes, tracking exceptions and approvals, supporting risk assessments and remediation, and promoting risk awareness through communications, tools, presentations, and training.

The role works with business leaders to operationalize regulatory frameworks and continually improve line-of-business risk programs, policies, processes, and controls. It supports self-assessments, audits, regulatory examinations, risk reporting, action plans, and reviews of program effectiveness. The position exercises judgment and works independently on complex tasks, while applying the Risk Management Framework and operating within approved risk appetite and applicable policies and regulations.

Requirements

• Typically 4–6 years of relevant experience.
• Post-secondary degree in a related field of study, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Good program management skills.
• Technical proficiency gained through education and/or business experience.
• In-depth verbal and written communication skills.
• In-depth collaboration and team skills.
• In-depth analytical and problem-solving skills.
• In-depth influence skills.
• In-depth data-driven decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the delivery of regulatory programs across applicable Tier 1 Risk Types.
• Support the design, development, automation, coordination, and continuous improvement of governance requirements and evidence-based controls across financial and non-financial risks.
• Support effective compliance with regulatory obligations in alignment with the Bank’s Risk Management Framework and approved Risk Appetite.
• Assist in implementing risk management programs and frameworks while identifying and minimizing negative impacts to the business.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies and contribute subject-matter expertise to the evaluation, development, and implementation of internal controls.
• Support strategic initiatives and align internal and external stakeholders.
• Analyze strategic problems, data, and performance information to provide insights and recommendations; monitor performance and address issues.
• Build and participate in change management plans and activities, including readiness assessments, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation, and sustainment.
• Monitor whether first-line jobs follow defined processes and procedures.
• Develop, document, maintain, and communicate business and group procedures, updating them and obtaining approvals as regulations or operating conditions change.
• Support measurable sustainment strategies, including assessing and recommending mitigations for industry- or segment-specific risks and prioritizing opportunities.
• Track exception and exemption requests and associated approvals.
• Promote risk identification and management through communications, practical tools, presentations, and ongoing support.
• Support the establishment and maintenance of line-of-business policies, standards, processes, and controls across applicable financial and non-financial risks.
• Work with business and group leaders to interpret, apply, and operationalize regulatory frameworks, and continually improve line-of-business risk programs and related activities.
• Conduct or support self-assessments, coordinate first-line risk remediation, respond to regulatory requirements, implement policies, and manage risk measurement and reporting.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of business strategies, products, services, stakeholders, processes, and infrastructure to identify risk exposures and implications.
• Identify, investigate, analyze, document, and mitigate program risks, accounting for jurisdictional issues; raise concerns to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the First Line of Defence and engage with the Second Line of Defence and Corporate Audit to ensure risks are identified, assessed, measured, managed, and reported within approved risk appetite.
• Review program impact and effectiveness periodically and recommend adjustments to programs, policies, or processes.
• Support internal and external audits and regulatory examinations, and assist with action plans to resolve identified issues.
• Support the development and delivery of risk management training and awareness programs.
• Apply the Risk Management Framework and make sound, risk-informed decisions consistent with business strategy, approved risk appetite, policies, laws, and regulations.
• Exercise judgment to identify, diagnose, and solve problems, and work independently on complex tasks.
• Take on broader work or accountabilities as assigned.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Accident insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement savings plans
• May include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, and other perks and rewards

What This Job Offers

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