Director, Data Foundations, Automation & Infrastructure

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About the Opportunity:

This is an exciting leadership opportunity within Commercial Banking to shape the future of how data powers business decisions across Canada and the U.S.

As Director, Data Foundations, Automation & Information Infrastructure, you will lead a highly technical team responsible for delivering trusted, curated, and scalable data assets that support reporting, analytics, AI, and strategic decision-making across Commercial Banking. You will oversee data engineering, data operations, information infrastructure, and business-managed applications while influencing the broader Commercial Banking data strategy.

The role combines banking knowledge, technical leadership, people management, and strategic thinking. As the organization continues its journey toward cloud modernization, AI-enabled automation, Client 360 capabilities, and near real-time data delivery, this leader will play a critical role in shaping the future state of Commercial Banking's data ecosystem.

This opportunity is ideal for a banking-savvy technology leader who enjoys building high-performing teams, solving complex data challenges, driving modernization initiatives, and translating business needs into scalable technical solutions.

The Director, Data Foundations leads the team responsible for building, managing and continuously improving the curated data that powers Commercial Banking. This includes client, financial, client activity and master data, along with the other key business data sets that reporting, analytics and AI teams across the organization rely on to make decisions.

The Director owns the end-to-end data lifecycle, from requirements, data modeling and architecture, through ETL and pipeline development, to the reliable production of trusted data within established service levels. The role partners with business, analytics, AI, Technology and Data Governance partners to ensure data is accurate, well documented and easy to use, and leads the ongoing modernization of data platforms and practices.

The ideal candidate combines deep data management expertise with strong people leadership and a high standard for quality.

Trusted, well-managed data is the foundation for sound decisions, effective and trusted reporting, and the responsible use of AI. This role directly contributes to:

·        Consistent, reliable data that supports executive reporting and business decision-making

·        Curated data assets that allow reporting, analytics and AI teams to focus on insights

·        A scalable, modern data ecosystem that keeps pace with evolving business needs

·        Strong data quality and control practices aligned to BMO’s data governance standards

·        Define and deliver the Data Foundations strategy and roadmap, aligned to business, CDAO and enterprise data priorities

·        Design and maintain the data architecture and models for curated data assets, including master and reference data, with long-term usability and scalability in mind

·        Establish and uphold standards for data modeling, naming, metadata, integration and data sharing

·        Lead the design, development and operation of ETL processes and data pipelines

·        Ensure recurring data production is accurate, timely and reconciled to authoritative sources, within published service levels

·        Monitor data flows, resolve issues promptly and drive root-cause remediation

·        Embed data quality checks, validation and controls throughout the data lifecycle

·        Ensure data is handled securely and protected from loss or unauthorized access, in line with legal and company standards

·        Continuously evaluate and adopt technologies, tools and practices that improve the scalability, efficiency and resilience of the data ecosystem

·        Partner with Technology on platform strategy, infrastructure and the path to production

·        Prepare and structure data to support advanced analytics and AI use cases

·        Manage the intake and prioritization of data requests transparently, with clear service levels

·        Promote data literacy and self-service through documentation, data dictionaries and a community of practice

·        Serve as a trusted partner to business, analytics, AI and Technology teams on data definitions, changes and their downstream impacts

·        Partner with Data Governance to meet data quality, metadata, lineage and data risk requirements

·        Oversee a portfolio of business-managed applications that support key business processes, from intake and design through delivery, enhancement and ongoing support

·        Ensure these applications are well controlled and supported, and aligned to BMO technology, data and risk standards

·        Build, develop and lead a high-performing team of data professionals, working effectively with vendor partners

·        Set clear goals and accountability, coach for growth, and foster a culture of ownership, quality and continuous improvement

·        Attract, retain and develop top talent, recognizing strong performance and addressing gaps

·        Role model BMO values and foster an inclusive culture connected to our purpose

·        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.

·        Treats data as a product: curated, documented, reconciled and reusable

·        Holds a high standard for accuracy and builds processes that make quality repeatable

·        Balances stability with progress, modernizing while keeping production dependable

·        Understands Commercial Banking and how data flows across clients, products and channels

·        Communicates clearly and builds trust through transparency

·        Influences without authority and aligns diverse stakeholders around shared definitions

·        Thrives in ambiguity and brings creative solutions to complex, interdependent problems

·        9+ years of experience in data management, data engineering or a related field, including leadership of data teams

·        Deep expertise in ETL and data pipeline development, data modeling and data quality management

·        Strong proficiency in SQL and modern data programming languages such as Python

·        Experience with cloud and modern data platforms

·        Working knowledge of master data, metadata, semantic layer and data governance practices, including data privacy and integrity

·        Experience operating in a highly regulated environment; Commercial Banking or financial services experience is an asset

·        Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

·        Post-secondary degree in a related field of study, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

·        Lead the Data Foundation that underpins reporting, analytics and AI across Commercial Banking

·        Shape how data is built, managed and used at scale

Join a culture that values ownership, collaboration, trust and measurable outcomes

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.