Senior Counsel, Wealth Management in Toronto

Provides and manages the delivery of legal and regulatory advice on products, initiatives, strategies, policies and developments for and on behalf of BMO Financial Group's Wealth Management Group. Provides legal advice based on knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures, and knowledge of the financial services industry and its environment, in particular securities. Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives. Works to achieve organizational goals while minimizing legal risk. Works to deliver legal advice (60%), provide legal oversight (20%) and issues management (20%).

Fosters a culture aligned to BMO purpose, values and strategy and role models BMO values and behaviours in all that they do. Ensures alignment between values and behaviour that fosters diversity and inclusion. Regularly connects work to BMO’s purpose, sets inspirational goals, defines clear expected outcomes, and ensures clear accountability for follow through. Builds interdependent teams that collaborate across functional and operating groups to create the highest value for all stakeholders. Attracts, retains, and enables the career development of top talent. Improves team performance, recognizes and rewards performance, coaches employees, supports their development, and manages poor performance.

Uses multiple perspectives, imagines alternatives, and addresses potential outcomes for various courses of action to devise strategy, make recommendations and minimize legal issues. Proactively identifies legal issues and potential problems and communicates appropriately to stakeholders. Oversees and delivers legal advice from internal/external counsel, ensures compliance with internal policies & procedures, and provides advice/rulings as necessary for complex functions/activities. Designs and oversees legal advice strategies & approaches for the unit activity. Devises legal strategy, makes recommendations to minimize legal issues by applying multiple perspectives and alternatives, and addressing potential outcomes for various courses of action.

Acts as the prime contact for internal/external stakeholder relationships, which may include regulators. Exercises judgement on complex, confidential and sensitive matters. Oversees or drives the resolution of complex or sensitive financial and/or non-financial issues. Delivers legal advice, instructs external counsel and ensures compliance with internal policies & procedures for a single or small number of function(s). Acts as a subject matter expert on relevant laws, regulations and policies. Resolves daily issues and/or escalates with appropriate analysis and/or recommendations. Identifies risks and implements appropriate actions to mitigate them. Implements areas of improvement to ensure consistency with market place. Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders.

Geographic scope: up to global. Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a senior specialist resource across BMO. Influences how teams/groups work together. Applies expertise and thinks creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to multiple, interdependent, complex problems. Communicates abstract concepts in simple terms. Fosters strong internal and external networks and works with and across multiple teams to achieve business objectives. Anticipates trends and responds by implementing appropriate changes. Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications:

• Typically 10+ years of legal practice or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Degree in law (LLB or JD) and license to practice law in relevant jurisdiction.
• Private practice or in-house experience delivering legal advice to business/group, or experience at regulatory body relating to the regulation of business/group activities, preferably in wealth management and/or securities law.
• Advanced knowledge in legal field, typically with a functional or business line specialization.
• Knowledge of business and regulatory environment in which BMO Wealth Management operates.
• Technical/expert resource for business group(s) and other legal professionals.
• Advanced knowledge of legal & regulatory requirements and the operations of single and multiple complex business group(s), including asset management and securities dealers.
• Negotiation skills - in depth.
• Seasoned expert with extensive industry knowledge.
• Technical leader viewed as a thought leader for innovation.
• Verbal & written communication skills - Expert.
• Analytical and problem solving skills - Expert.
• Influence skills - Expert.
• Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration - Expert.
• Able to manage ambiguity.
• Data driven decision making - Expert.

BMO is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. We learn from our differences and draw strength from people and their diverse perspectives. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process.