Director, Economic Equity Advisory Group

In November 2020, BMO launched BMO EMpower, a five-year initiative designed to drive inclusive economic growth through expanded lending, investment, and support for underserved communities. In October 2022, BMO expanded this commitment through a $40 billion Community Benefits Plan. As part of this commitment, the Economic Equity Advisory Group (EEAG) was established to accelerate commercial banking and lending opportunities for underserved businesses and communities across the Middle Market and Mid-Corporate segments.

The Director will play a critical role in advancing EEAG's mission by developing business opportunities, building strategic relationships, and delivering BMO's full suite of commercial banking solutions to companies with revenues ranging from $10MM to $1B+. The Director is responsible for originating, developing, and expanding commercial banking relationships with underserved businesses while serving as a strategic connector across BMO's Commercial Bank, Wealth, Capital Markets, and Product partners.

We are seeking a seasoned commercial banking professional with strong C&I lending expertise, exposure to commercial real estate, and the ability to think creatively about capital structures and client solutions. The successful candidate will possess a proven track record of business development and relationship management, with experience engaging multicultural business communities and the ability to conduct business fluently in both English and Spanish.

The Director will be based in Miami and responsible for developing and managing relationships across the state of Florida, with a particular focus on underserved and multicultural business communities. Given the significant Latino business opportunity across Florida and the need to effectively engage business owners, clients, prospects, and community stakeholders throughout the state, fluency in Spanish (spoken and written) is required.

Experience working with bilingual and bicultural clients is strongly preferred.

Provides subject matter expertise in the design, development, management, and implementation of assigned projects from business case development through execution. Works across BMO to deliver specific project/program business results in alignment with overall group goals.

** Responsibilities*
* -    Develops long-term (3-5 years) strategic recommendations to optimally position BMO and pursue market opportunities.

-    Positions BMO as a leader within the target market (including internal and external product offerings).

-    Identifies business development opportunities and develops tactical national program recommendations in consultation with business development managers to ensure local appropriateness.

-    Develops strategies that allow the market segment to achieve the status of highly credible and trusted strategic partners and build expertise for BMO to be viewed as a valuable source of information, advice, and guidance, both internally and externally.

-    Develops, maintains, and executes a business plan to achieve client retention objectives.

-    Continuously monitors program performance and the external environment for effectiveness and ensures programs are updated to reflect current requirements.

-    Develops and manages relationships with divisional and market contacts and networks and leverages internal and external data to identify, analyze, and size opportunities while monitoring competitive activities.

-    Acts as a trusted advisor to assigned business/group.

-    Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives.

-    Provides strategic input into business decisions as a trusted advisor.

-    Makes recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and new initiatives based on an in-depth understanding of the business/group.

-    Acts as a subject matter expert on relevant regulations and policies.

-    Manages multiple programs/projects simultaneously and resolves conflicting priorities.

-    Assists in the development of strategic plans.

-    Helps determine business priorities and best sequence for execution of business/group strategy.

-    Conducts independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues.

-    Ensures alignment between stakeholders.

-    Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to meet business objectives.

-    Keeps stakeholders informed of messages, recommendations, decisions, processes, and progress.

-    Breaks down strategic problems and analyzes data and information to provide insights and recommendations.

-    Monitors and tracks performance and addresses any issues.

-    Designs and produces regular and ad hoc reports and dashboards.

-    Identifies emerging issues and trends to inform decision-making.

-    Builds change management plans of varying scope and type; leads or participates in readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation, and sustainment of initiatives.

-    Leads or participates in defining communication plans, developing tailored messaging, and…