Operations' Finance Controllership Leader

Bank of Montreal • Cedar Rapids, IA

4d

About The Position

Provides day-to-day delivery of critical operations finance controllership processes, including loan administration and servicing, and supports the balancing of ledgers, payments, and transactions. Manages administrative activities and stakeholder requests within service level agreements, while collaborating across the organization to improve processes and deliver intended business, customer, and employee outcomes. Financing operations include specialized processes for leasing and/or commercial lending products. Acts as a subject matter expert on relevant regulations, accounting principles, and policies, partnering with Finance, Accounting, Treasury, Operations, and other stakeholders.

The role operates at a group or enterprise-wide level as a specialist resource to senior leaders and stakeholders. It manages resources and strategic initiatives, advises senior leaders on business strategy and new initiatives, and serves as a prime subject matter expert for internal and external stakeholders. It defines analytics and reporting requirements, produces regular and ad hoc reports, leads change management and operational programs, and oversees tools, training, vendor relationships, and continuous improvement initiatives. It also leads and develops teams, manages performance, and supports employees’ career development.

The position ensures accurate and timely processing of requests and transactions in accordance with documented policies, procedures, and service level agreements. It reviews and reconciles information and documentation, resolves discrepancies, processes loan information, maintains records, analyzes data, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders. The role applies BMO’s Risk Management Framework, makes sound risk-informed decisions, and complies with applicable policies, laws, and regulations.

Requirements

• Typically 7 or more years of relevant experience and a post-secondary degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Expert knowledge and experience using relevant systems and technology.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of the business unit’s key products and services, processes, and controls.
• Expert knowledge of the business’s risk and regulatory requirements.
• In-depth prioritization skills.
• Expert PC skills, including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Accounting or finance experience.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Seasoned professional with a combination of education, experience, and industry knowledge.
• In-depth or expert verbal and written communication skills.
• In-depth or expert analytical and problem-solving skills.
• In-depth or expert influence skills.
• In-depth or expert collaboration and team skills, with a focus on cross-group collaboration.
• Ability to manage ambiguity.
• In-depth or expert data-driven decision-making skills.

Nice To Haves

• Management and leadership experience is an asset.
• Experience with Datascan, PMS, and/or InfoLease is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Deliver critical operations finance controllership processes, including loan administration and servicing, and support the balancing of ledgers, payments, and transactions.
• Manage administrative processes and fulfillment of stakeholder inquiries and requests within applicable service level agreements.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to improve process efficiency, workflow, working relationships, and business outcomes.
• Act as a subject matter expert on regulations, accounting principles, policies, and relevant financing operations.
• Partner with Finance, Accounting, Treasury, Operations, and other stakeholders.
• Set goals and expected outcomes, establish accountability, build collaborative teams, and support talent attraction, retention, coaching, development, and performance management.
• Make recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and initiatives based on business understanding, and manage resources and strategic initiative execution.
• Define business requirements for analytics and reporting, and produce regular and ad hoc reports and documents.
• Lead change management programs, including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation, and sustainment.
• Develop communication strategies to influence or change behavior.
• Lead operational programs, assess execution quality and effectiveness, adapt programs, and recommend enhancements based on trends.
• Oversee design, development, and implementation of tools and training needed to deliver business results.
• Participate in or lead continuous improvement initiatives involving processes and systems.
• Oversee vendor relationships and provide execution guidelines to ensure agreements are met.
• Process service requests, transactions, and activities accurately and on time within SLAs and established policies and procedures.
• Provide accurate and knowledgeable responses to stakeholder questions and requests.
• Check and reconcile information and documentation; identify and resolve discrepancies according to standard procedures.
• Perform administrative tasks such as distributing, collecting, and filing documentation and information.
• Enter, review, and verify loan information and documentation for processing or further handling, and maintain records appropriately.
• Analyze data and information to provide insights and recommendations.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and collaborate on business objectives and process or system changes.
• Address complex, non-routine, unique, or ambiguous situations; implement changes in response to shifting trends.
• Apply the Risk Management Framework and make sound, risk-informed decisions that protect the bank and comply with applicable requirements.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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