Relationship Manager, Commercial banking (Special Accounts)

BMO • Chicago, IL

5d • $75,000 - $160,000

About The Position

The Relationship Manager, Commercial Banking (Special Accounts) delivers an exceptional customer experience for a defined portfolio of high-risk borrowing accounts. The role applies expertise to reduce the Bank’s loss exposure, manage risk, advise stakeholders on complex credit transactions and mitigation strategies, and make credit decisions or recommendations consistent with sound credit-granting principles and Bank policies and procedures. The Relationship Manager works with stakeholders to deepen relationships and grow portfolio profitability.

The role monitors portfolio financial and risk performance, analyzes customer and account information, recommends ways to improve quality, liquidity, and the Bank’s security position, and documents credit decisions with clear rationale. It identifies transaction terms, conditions, collateral requirements, and alternative solutions, while staying informed about economic and market developments and lending issues such as loan structure, collateral, foreclosure, bankruptcy, and applicable regulations.

The position also provides advice and coaching to sales and service employees, supports strategic and operational initiatives, coordinates workflow and exception requests, and builds relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including legal and insolvency professionals. It gathers and formats data for reports and dashboards, monitors performance, and provides specialized consulting, analytical, and technical support. The role works independently, regularly handles non-routine situations, and applies BMO’s Risk Management Framework and approved Risk Appetite in making sound, risk-informed decisions.

Requirements

• Typically 5–7 years of relevant experience and a post-secondary degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Credit qualifications and associated credit knowledge and skills in accordance with established qualification standards.
• In-depth knowledge of banking products and services.
• In-depth knowledge of industry trends and regulations.
• In-depth knowledge of credit portfolio management policies and procedures and financing guidelines.
• Proven leadership skills and highly developed coaching skills.
• Deep knowledge and technical proficiency gained through extensive education and 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

• Manage a defined portfolio of high-risk borrowing accounts, delivering an exceptional customer experience while reducing the Bank’s loss exposure and managing risks.
• Advise internal and external stakeholders on complex, high-risk credit transactions and mitigation strategies.
• Make credit decisions and recommendations in accordance with sound credit-granting principles and Bank policies and procedures.
• Recommend alternatives to credit proposals, including restructuring applications or using available special loan plans.
• Monitor portfolio financial and risk performance; analyze customer and account information and recommend ways to improve quality, liquidity, and the Bank’s security position.
• Document credit transaction decisions and their rationale in a way that can be understood and explained to customers.
• Identify and advise on transaction terms, conditions, collateral requirements, and alternative solutions.
• Keep abreast of economic and market developments, lending issues, and regulations relevant to the portfolio.
• Provide credit risk coaching and advice to sales and service employees to increase awareness of risk, policy, and transaction structuring.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including legal and insolvency professionals and commercial business consultants and advisors.
• Influence and negotiate to achieve business objectives, including developing action plans with debtors and guarantors.
• Recommend and implement solutions based on analysis of issues and their business implications.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of lending-related policies and procedures.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the assigned business or group and provide specialized consulting, analytical, and technical support.
• Assist in developing strategic plans, identify emerging issues and trends, and help determine business priorities and sequencing.
• Conduct independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues and provide data-driven insights and recommendations.
• Identify business needs and design or develop tools and training programs; deliver training when needed.
• Integrate information from multiple sources to improve processes, analysis, and reporting; use systems such as exception and tracking reports to manage information.
• Build change management plans and lead or participate in readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation, and sustainment.
• Lead or participate in communication planning, developing tailored messaging and identifying appropriate distribution channels.
• Provide technical expertise to team members and support the manager by coordinating workflow and exception requests and escalating concerns.
• Support strategic initiatives with internal and external stakeholders and provide input into operational program planning and implementation.
• Gather and format data for regular and ad-hoc reports and dashboards, monitor and track performance, and address issues.
• Execute work to deliver timely, accurate, and efficient service, and take measured, risk-informed actions in line 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree