Director, Lending & Portfolio Management - Project Management

Address:

Join a pioneering team shaping the future of Canadian Retail Credit Strategies.
We’re building next-generation, end-to-end credit solutions that span the entire lifecycle—from acquisition and account management to collections—anchored in a holistic Lending Decision Strategy and aligned with Canadian Personal & Business Banking (P&BB) priorities.

Our approach combines cutting-edge decisioning software, advanced decision trees, and innovative credit models to deliver smarter, faster, and more customer-centric outcomes. This is your opportunity to influence credit cycles using modern modeling techniques and best-in-class decisioning applications, all within a high-performance, customer-focused environment.

If you’re passionate about leveraging data, technology, and strategy to transform lending decisions and drive meaningful impact across Canadian P&BB, this is the team for you.

The Director, Lending & Portfolio Management - Project Management leads the planning, execution, and delivery of lending and portfolio management initiatives across the customer credit lifecycle — including acquisition, underwriting, account management, fraud management, and collections for Consumer and Business Banking. This leader is accountable for orchestrating complex, multi‑stakeholder programs that modernize credit processes, strengthen risk management, enhance operational efficiency, and improve customer outcomes.

They work closely with partners across Lending, Risk, Product, Fraud, Collections, Operations, Finance, Technology, and Compliance to ensure initiatives are well‑designed, governed effectively, and delivered with excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Program Leadership

• Lead strategic programs that transform credit lifecycle processes, capabilities, and platforms across Consumer and Business Banking.

• Oversee project planning, scope definition, work‑back schedules, governance, and senior‑level communication across all phases of delivery.

• Partner with cross‑functional leaders to align program objectives with lending, risk, and business priorities.

Credit Lifecycle Transformation

• Drive modernization programs related to underwriting, customer management, credit strategies, digital enablement, fraud prevention, and collections optimization.

• Translate business and risk objectives into clear project requirements, ensuring initiatives strengthen portfolio quality, customer experience, and operational performance.

• Manage interdependencies across products, channels, and partner teams, ensuring solutions deliver an integrated credit lifecycle experience.

Execution Excellence & Delivery Oversight

• Oversee execution of multiple complex workstreams involving analytics, operations, technology, risk, and external partners.

• Identify and mitigate project risks, escalate issues proactively, and ensure robust change‑management and rollout strategies.

• Track key milestones, deliverables, and performance indicators to maintain transparency and momentum.

Governance, Risk, Controls & Reporting

• Maintain strong governance practices, including steering committee updates, executive reporting, and documentation.

• Ensure all initiatives adhere to regulatory expectations, enterprise risk appetite, and change‑management protocols.

• Provide executives with clear, action‑oriented insights on program progress, outcomes, challenges, and recommended decisions.

Stakeholder Leadership & Enterprise Collaboration

• Serve as a central point of coordination for teams across Lending, Risk, Technology, Fraud, Collections, Operations, and Product.

• Translate complex information into concise, decision‑ready content for senior leaders and executive committees.

• Build strong partnerships and influence across the enterprise to accelerate delivery and ensure alignment.

Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead and develop a high‑performing project management team with expertise in credit, risk, operations, and transformation.

• Foster a culture of accountability, structured problem‑solving, operational discipline, and collaborative delivery.

• Strengthen project management practices, tools, frameworks, and team capabilities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in lending, credit risk, program management, or enterprise transformation within financial services.

• Proven success leading large, multi‑disciplinary programs across the customer credit lifecycle (acquisition, underwriting, account management, fraud, collections).

• Exceptional project management expertise, including program design, governance, planning, execution oversight, and change management.

• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and deliver executive‑ready communication, insights, and recommendations.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, able to break down complex issues and prioritize effectively in a fast‑moving environment.

• Project management certification (e.g., PMP) or formal training is an asset but not required; experience delivering complex enterprise programs is essential.

#FutureOfRetailLending

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.