Associate Director, Investment Platform, Private Wealth

Address:

Lead and participate in various small, medium and large sized investment platform initiatives across BMO Private Wealth’s (BMO PW) investment management business, primarily in support of BMO Private Investment Counsel Inc. (BPIC). The Associate Director, Investment Platform undertakes the creation of new programs or processes (i.e., supporting investment product and service delivery) and changes to, and management of, existing programs of varying size and complexity, by effectively managing and coordinating deliverables with various internal and external stakeholders.

This role will focus on (without being exclusively dedicated to) the product operationalization for BPIC’s Alternatives investment solutions.

Scope/Responsibilities:

• Support BPIC’s Alternatives product shelf: work on project initiatives to introduce and maintain third party Alternatives investment products. The work includes reviewing Offering Memorandums and other offering documents, understanding a product’s features and how those translate to setting-up a product to be available on BPIC’s solution shelf, and managing and coordinating deliverables with various internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead and coordinate programs to improve the Investment Management platform; spanning from investment product development and management to oversight and management of operations processes, technology changes and policies & procedures.
• Provide BMO PW headquarters support for investment management programs/initiatives with a focus on Alternatives investment solutions.
• Support business initiatives, which may include business cases development and project risk assessments.
• Initiatives management – the Associate Director, Investment Platform:
• Directs complex projects often involving multiple internal constituents and partners
• Typically exercises direct accountability for projects with up to 25 team members
• Works with internal and external stakeholders to support the addition and maintenance of Alternatives investment solutions.
• Is accountable for defining, planning, orchestrating and delivering assigned projects, including all business, operational and technology deliverables.
• Directly manages all aspects of the project lifecycle and work with business, corporate and technology partners to oversee all project phases and to ensure that related project processes are completed as required (including, as applicable, change management, process management, transition to business/operations, system development, quality management, etc.).
• Within the context of the assigned project, is responsible for building and sustaining the day-to-day relationships and communications (including project briefings) with stakeholders at various levels of the organization, including executive level, as well as other internal and external resources. Sustains and manages the relationship with the Accountable Executive and/or delegate throughout the duration of the project by providing sound advice, counsel and support.
• Chairs or participates in regular program and project team meetings (e.g., Operating Committees) to review progress with and obtain advice from key constituents. Represents the interests of the investment business in various project and inter-departmental forums.
• Ensures the mechanisms of change management (plans, processes, tools) are in place and effectively executed
• Ensures project issues and risks are identified, quantified, managed and tracked. Uses past experience to proactively "anticipate" risk and develop appropriate mitigation strategies and plans. Ensures risks, assumptions and constraints are appropriately communicated and escalated when necessary
• Rigorously manages scope to ensure commitments are achieved within agreed-on time, cost, and quality parameters
• Manages and/or validates financial forecasts and provides on-going reconciliation of resources and other related project expenditures
• Defines and tracks project milestones while developing, maintaining, and reporting on an overall integrated delivery plan
• Develops project and related project management artifacts, including project charter, integrated plan, resource plan, contingency plan, while complying with applicable enterprise standards (e.g. Risk, Audit, Compliance); publishes periodic project status reports.
• Point person for interaction, communication and feedback with investment counselling front-office teams about BPIC’s investment management programs.
• Creates, maintains and coordinates updates to BPIC marketing and pitch-related systems and materials by working independently and with various stakeholders.
• Leads and participates in technology changes through the development of change requests, user acceptance testing and change management.
• Develops and implements investment management training/education programs as needed.
• Is accountable for the completion of other regular and ad-hoc responsibilities as defined by the manager.

Qualifications:

• Possesses a university degree and/or 6 to 8 years of relevant work experience in Economics, Finance or Commerce
• Possesses 3+ years of experience in project management in the financial services industry, ideally in a role related to and exposed to the capital markets, including managing projects of significant complexity
• Industry-specific knowledge and experience is an asset; knowledge of financial markets, investment management, and economic and financial concepts
• Knowledge of alternative investment products, such as pooled funds, limited partnerships, LLCs, offshore feeders
• Knowledge or understanding of the operational aspects of investment funds
• Completion or progress towards completion of a CFA, CAIA or CIM designation is an asset
• Knowledge of business and operational processes and systems used by BPIC’s business (e.g., FIS’s Global Plus, Charles River’s CRIMS, Morningstar Advisor Workstation / Direct, FundServ) is an asset.

Skills:

• Good relationship management and consulting skills, which results in an ability to earn the trust of sponsors and key stakeholders, mobilize and motivate teams, set direction and approach, resolve conflict, deliver tough messages with grace, able to execute with limited information and ambiguity
• Strong change leadership and management skills
• Ability to navigate a matrixed organization effectively
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, effective at the executive level
• Sound business and technical acumen
• Strong presentation, facilitation, written and verbal communication skills that bring clarity and precision at various decision-making meetings
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Strong knowledge of MS Office (particularly in Excel)

The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type.

Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position.

BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards

About Us

At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world.

As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset.

To find out more visit us at https://jobs.bmo.com/ca/en.

BMO is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. By learning from each other’s differences, we gain strength through our people and our perspectives. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please contact your recruiter.

Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.