Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer, US Equipment Finance

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a member of the senior leadership team responsible for the operational, financial, technology, governance, and control framework supporting BMO Equipment Finance. The COO provides strategic and operational leadership across accounting, tax, pricing, business application development, technology infrastructure, internal controls, and business transformation initiatives.

This executive will ensure the integrity of the company's financial and operational processes, oversee regulatory and tax compliance, direct critical technology modernization efforts, and drive continuous process improvement across the organization. The COO serves as a key partner to the President and senior bank leaders in advancing business growth, operational excellence, risk management, and customer service.

• Lead day-to-day operational functions supporting the equipment finance business.
• Establish operational priorities aligned with strategic business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, scalability, service quality, and profitability.
• Evaluate existing workflows and implement process enhancements that improve performance and controls.

• Direct the Accounting Group and ensure compliance with U.S. and international GAAP requirements.
• Maintain a strong internal control environment and recommend enhancements where deficiencies are identified.
• Partner with Internal Audit and Finance leadership to support annual audits and remediation activities.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting and accounting operations.
• Ensure pricing disciplines support profitability, return objectives, and risk-adjusted performance targets.

• Lead the Tax Group and ensure compliance with all applicable IRS, state, and local tax regulations.
• Oversee property tax reporting and filings across multiple jurisdictions.
• Manage relationships with external tax advisors to ensure ongoing compliance and risk mitigation.
• Monitor tax exposures and implement appropriate controls to protect the bank's interests.

• Oversee the development, maintenance, and enhancement of proprietary business applications.
• Lead teams responsible for application development, systems integration, and business technology support.
• Ensure compatibility between internally developed applications and core accounting systems.
• Provide executive oversight of the replacement and modernization of the equipment finance lease accounting platform.

• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams across accounting, tax, pricing, development, and technology functions.
• Assign resources to strategic projects and operational initiatives.
• Build a culture centered on accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders throughout BMO Financial Group, including Finance, Tax, Technology, Legal, Compliance, and Audit teams.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience within equipment finance, commercial finance, banking, leasing, or related financial services industries.
• Deep expertise in lease and loan accounting, pricing, financial controls, and operational management.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, IRS regulations, state and local tax compliance requirements, and internal control frameworks.
• Demonstrated success leading major system implementations and business transformation initiatives.
• Experience managing accounting, tax, technology, pricing, and operational teams.
• Proven ability to work effectively with executive leadership, regulators, auditors, and external service providers.

• CPA, CMA, CIA, or comparable professional designation.
• MBA or graduate degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business.
• Experience serving on a corporate board or subsidiary governance committee.

• Effectiveness of accounting and internal control environments.
• Successful completion of internal and external audit requirements.
• On-time and accurate tax filings with no material compliance issues.
• Pricing effectiveness and transaction turnaround times.
• Successful modernization of the lease accounting platform.
• Delivery and stability of internally developed applications.
• Operational efficiency…