Head, Digital Finance

Bank of Montreal•Chicago, IL

2d•$200,000

About The Position

The Head Digital Finance will set and execute BMO’s digital finance strategy, driving innovation and market leadership in digital assets, stablecoins, and tokenized deposits. Reporting directly to the SVP and Head, North American Treasury & Payment Solutions, the Head Digital Finance will have direct accountability for enterprise-wide digital finance strategy and execution. More specifically, setting BMO’s strategy on digital finance, steering resources and investments across the bank, and supporting the Operating Groups and individual Lines of Business (LOBs) in developing new regulated, revenue-generation solutions that enhance BMO’s market competitiveness. The Head Digital Finance will drive coordinated execution of the digital finance strategy and plan across the Lines of Businesses (LOBs), and with Technology & Operations and supporting corporate functions. Working in partnership with senior leadership, Digital Finance SMEs in each Group, and the Office of Strategic Management (OSM), the role has the opportunity to shape BMO’s market reputation and deliver on BMO’s digital finance ambition as it relates to the use of Stablecoins, Tokenized deposits, Digital Assets custody, Digital Assets market-making and hedging, and other digital finance solutions across the enterprise. The role will oversee an enterprise-wide digital finance strategy aligned with BMO’s overall strategic ambition. The role will be accountable to build and lead a high-performing agile team to establish BMO as a recognized leader in digital finance among its North American peers, lead the development of partnerships with emerging technology vendors and potential industry consortiums. The Head Digital Finance oversees, coordinates, and supports the execution of LOB Digital Finance initiatives and Proof of Concepts (PoCs) ensuring alignment to enterprise strategy. This includes the identification, assessment, and delivery of client and economic value, enterprise governance and controls, and coordination of execution to ensure alignment across the operating groups and supporting corporate functions. The Head Digital Finance acts as BMO’s digital finance accountable executive, the voice to the market and with regulators. The role represents all BMO Digital Finance initiatives with visibility at the most senior levels of the Bank and represents BMO externally at conferences and industry forums. The role oversees the development of enterprise Digital Finance online/virtual collateral, including LOB-specific front-line and client learning and marketing materials working together with the LOBs product and learning teams, People & Culture, Marketing, Communications & Social Impact. The role ensures the effective enterprise management of financial and non-financial risks, including reputational, cyber, data and AI, with respect to the use of Stablecoin, Tokenized deposits, Digital Asset Custody, Digital Assets market-making and hedging, and other digital finance solutions across the enterprise. The Head Digital Finance manages the enterprise Digital Finance Technology Investment Plan (TIP). Working with the OSM, T&O and the LOB leadership teams, the role is accountable for the 5-year strategic plan and associated investments / partnerships, development of any IAAP recommendations and facilitates EC / Board approval process.

Requirements

Minimum 10+ years of experience in finance, fintech, or digital asset management, with at least 5 years at the leadership level.
Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams through complex product launches in a highly regulated environment
Expertise in digital/tokenized assets (e.g., stablecoins, tokenized deposits, digital asset custody, smart contracts) or emerging business concepts and business models
Strong strategic and regulatory leadership: experience guiding cross-functional teams through digital asset product development and regulatory compliance.
Demonstrated partnering skills: track record of building and managing vendor, consortium, and industry collaborations.
Deep understanding of financial infrastructure, system architecture, and risk controls relevant to digital assets and crypto.
Excellent business case development: ability to assess ROI, author investment

Responsibilities

Seeks out and manages partnerships (e.g., emerging technologies, vendors, industry consortiums) to advance BMO’s strategy & goals
Represents BMO holistically in engaging with potential partners; coordinates changes/evolution to partnerships with each business
Governs Digital Finance activities – tracks all active and proposed initiatives (e.g., key milestones & issues) for broad set of audiences
Tracks and communicates any updates from Research and LRC teams on regulatory developments and industry highlights Lead, Digital Assets, Legal Risk & Compliance (LRC)
Follows industry and key competitive developments; advises on focus areas for BMO.
Publishes thought papers alongside Head
Supports PoC business cases, including IAAPs and TIP requests
Expert advisor on evolving regulations to mitigate potential risks and issues; reviews BMO activities to ensure adherence with guidelines
Steer BMO’s overall strategy and investments in Digital Finance, and support Operating Groups in developing new regulated, revenue-generating solutions – E.g., Digital/tokenized assets, cross-border payments, foreign exchange settlement, digital assets custody, market-making & hedging, smart contracts
Understand emerging Digital Finance technology and its potential implications and opportunities in serving BMO clients
Research, investigate, select, and develop Digital Finance initiatives – steering vendor selection, strategic partnerships, industry consortium participation – in a coordinated, enterprise approach
Stay informed on changes to the regulatory landscape and on competitive developments related to Digital Finance
Serve as market-facing team to communicate and educate the potential benefits and drawbacks of emerging products and services
Serve as BMO-wide representative on Digital Finance topics to the Board, EC, investor community, and regulators