Manager, Strategic Communications

Address:

Works collaboratively with Head, Corporate Communications for Wealth Management and the Wealth Management strategic communications team to support business/group and stakeholders to assess communications needs, recommend communications plans & solutions, secure necessary approvals, and create/deliver communication solutions that effectively support and address communications needs. This role will also support executive communications on an as-needed basis within Wealth Management.

Successful candidate sources content and feedback, assesses information and translates thoughts into effective communications solutions. Delivers high quality communications solutions that target audiences can easily access, understand and action that are alignment with company standards.

• Acts as a trusted advisor to Wealth Management partners and leaders
• Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives
• Recommends and implements solutions based on analysis of issues and implications for the business.
• Assists in the development of strategic plans.
• Identifies emerging issues and trends to inform decision-making.
• Makes recommendations and solves problems to ensure communication solutions are implemented.
• Leads the communications strategy planning process bringing strategic, professional communications counsel, planning and direction to leaders.
• Develops strategies and tools to measure, analyze and report on the effectiveness of communications initiatives.
• Monitors and tracks performance, and addresses any issues.
• Makes recommendations for improvements based on insights.
• Leads the execution of communication solutions; assesses and adapts as needed to ensure quality of execution.
• Leads business/group change management activities from a communications perspective.
• Assesses communications requests to determine relevancy, appropriateness, pacing and sequencing, and alignment to business priorities.
• Gathers content from multiple sources and develops communications for various vehicles including leadership messages, intranets, town halls, newsletters, video, presentations and new social media.
• Identifies and liaises with the stakeholders about opportunities for communications to other groups (e.g. customers, media, etc.) to increase communication effectiveness and alignment.
• Assists and/or leads planning, development and execution of events and conferences.
• Acts as lead communications role in coded/confidential projects.
• Reviews progress to plans and escalates complaints, issues and concerns.
• Recommends, develops and executes communication plans and solutions based on an understanding of the business strategy and stakeholder needs, and in alignment with an overarching communication strategy.
• Provides communications advice and guidance to assigned business/group, on communication principles/programs/approaches, on effective ways to communicate (e.g. message development, vehicle selection, etc.), and on implementation of solutions.
• Proactively collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to provide business context in the design, development and implementation of communication solutions.
• Leads or participates in defining communication plans designed to positively influence or change behaviour; develops tailored messaging; identifies appropriate distribution channels.
• Reviews material to ensure it complies with relevant quality standards, including translation requirements.
• Coordinates, distributes and publishes communication solutions.
• Measures and sustains communications solutions impacting the target employee audience. Gathers feedback and continually evaluates the effectiveness of communication content and the vehicles/platforms/tools/technology (e.g. Intranet, Portal, conference calls, e-mail, shared drives and SharePoint sites, social networking platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and blogs, etc.).
• Recommends improvements, changes, additions or deletions of communication content and the vehicles/platforms/tools/technology as necessary, and coordinates with partners to ensure content is up-to-date and relevant.
• Remains alert to new trends, tools and methods of communication, and makes recommendations on their application.
• Stays up to date on company and industry trends by forming and fostering relationships with employees across the company, so as to identify newsworthy items for communication and dissemination.
• Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders and ensures alignment between stakeholders.
• Actively looks for opportunities for continuous improvement of communications processes and procedures, and participates/leads communications continuous improvement initiatives.
• Focus is primarily on business/group within BMO; may have broader, enterprise-wide focus.
• Provides specialized consulting, analytical and technical support.
• Exercises judgment to identify, diagnose, and solve problems within given rules.
• Works independently and regularly handles non-routine situations.
• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.
• Take measured risks while protecting the bank by applying our Risk Management Framework in the execution of your role, in line with our Risk Culture and within our approved Risk Appetite, making sound and risk informed decisions that align to business strategy, protect assets, and adhere to applicable policy documents (Frameworks, Policies, Standards, Procedures and Supporting documents), laws and regulations.

  Qualifications:

• Typically between 5 - 7 years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Writing & editing skills - In-depth.
• Uses a straight-talk and story-telling approach for communications.
• Ability to take technical and complex information and distill it to key messages that make sense for the audience.
• Deep knowledge and technical proficiency gained through extensive education and business experience.
• Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth.
• Collaboration & team skills - In-depth.
• Analytical and problem solving skills - In-depth.
• Influence skills - In-depth.
• Data driven decision making - In-depth.

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.