Manager, Registrations

Address:

Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid)
Business Unit: Legal & Regulatory Compliance 
Reports to: Senior Manager, Registrations and Continuing Education – Wealth Management Compliance

Position Overview

BMO Registrations is responsible for overseeing registration-related matters for individuals and firms operating within BMO's regulated businesses. This includes ensuring compliance with applicable securities regulatory requirements, self-regulatory organization rules, and registration obligations across multiple registration categories and jurisdictions. 

Reporting to the Senior Manager - Registrations and Continuing Education, the Manager –Registrations, will lead a team of registration professionals responsible for firm and individual registration activities, regulatory filings, suitability reviews, regulatory reporting, policy development, and advisory support. The successful candidate will serve as a key subject matter expert and escalation point on complex registration matters impacting Investment Dealers, Investment Fund Managers (IFM), Exempt Market Dealers (EMD), and Portfolio Managers (PM).

This role requires extensive registrations experience and a comprehensive understanding of CIRO Investment Dealer Rules, National Instruments, and provincial securities regulatory requirements governing registrant and firm registration.

What Success Looks Like:

The successful candidate will ensure the effective oversight of registration activities across the organization, maintain a high standard of regulatory compliance, provide expert guidance on complex registration matters, strengthen relationships with regulators and business partners, and lead a high-performing team that delivers accurate, timely, and risk-focused registration support.

Key Accountabilities:

Leadership & People Management

• Foster a culture aligned with BMO's purpose, values, and strategy by consistently demonstrating BMO values and behaviors in daily work and interactions. 
• Lead, develop, coach, and manage a team of registration professionals responsible for registration, licensing, and regulatory filing activities across multiple regulated entities. 
• Establish performance expectations and oversee workflow management to ensure regulatory obligations and service standards are met. 
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and client-focused culture focused on regulatory excellence and continuous improvement. 
• Provide technical guidance and act as the primary escalation point for complex registration and suitability matters. 

• Support succession planning, knowledge sharing, training, and professional development within the team. 
  

Registrations Oversight & Regulatory Compliance 

• Oversee all aspects of individual and firm registration activities, including initial registrations, category changes, transfers, reinstatements, terminations, and jurisdictional filings. 
• Ensure regulatory filings are completed accurately and within prescribed timelines through the National Registration Database (NRD) and other regulatory platforms. 
• Oversee reviews of registration applications involving criminal, civil, financial, regulatory, disciplinary, and other suitability-related disclosures. 
• Provide guidance and recommendations regarding registrant suitability and regulatory risk matters. 
• Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable securities legislation, registration requirements, and regulatory reporting obligations. 
• Maintain oversight of licensing and registration requirements across the firm's registered entities and jurisdictions. 
  

Advisory & Regulatory Expertise 

• Act as a trusted advisor to Compliance, Legal, Human Resources, Branch Management, Business Supervisory Personnel, and senior leadership on registration-related matters. 
• Interpret and provide guidance regarding CIRO Investment Dealer Rules, securities legislation, National Instruments, and regulatory notices. 
• Advise stakeholders on registration structures, permitted activities, outside activities, proficiency requirements, and regulatory developments. 
• Support regulatory examinations, audits, inquiries, and investigations related to registration matters. 
  

Risk Management & Governance 

• Identify, assess, and escalate registration-related regulatory risks to senior management and the Chief Compliance Officer, where appropriate. 
• Develop, maintain, and enhance registration policies, procedures, controls, and governance frameworks. 
• Recommend process improvements to strengthen controls, improve efficiency, and mitigate regulatory risk. 
• Ensure appropriate documentation, recordkeeping, and evidence of regulatory compliance is maintained. 
  

Regulatory Relations 

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with CIRO, provincial and territorial securities regulators, and other regulatory stakeholders. 
• Manage communications and responses to regulators concerning registration matters. 
• Represent the department in regulatory consultations, industry working groups, and regulatory initiatives as required. 
  

Strategic Initiatives & Projects 

• Lead or participate in strategic regulatory, operational, and technology initiatives impacting registration processes. 
• Partner with Technology, Operations, Compliance, Legal, and business stakeholders on system enhancements and regulatory change initiatives. 
• Support implementation of new regulatory requirements, registration frameworks, and compliance programs. 
  

Qualifications: 

Experience 

• Typically minimum 6 years of progressive registrations experience within a securities dealer, asset management firm, or securities regulator. 
• Demonstrated leadership experience, with previous people management experience within a registration or compliance function considered an asset. 
• Demonstrated experience managing complex individual and firm registration matters. 
• Experience interacting directly with securities regulators and self-regulatory organizations. 
• Experience supporting multiple registration categories, including Investment Dealer, Investment Fund Manager, Exempt Market Dealer, and Portfolio Manager registrations. 
  

Knowledge & Technical Expertise 

• Extensive knowledge of: 
• CIRO Investment Dealer Rules 
• National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations 
• National Instrument 33-109 Registration Information 
• Applicable provincial and territorial securities legislation 
• Registration, proficiency, and suitability requirements applicable to registered individuals and firms 
• NRD processes and regulatory filing requirements 
• Strong understanding of: 
• Dealer, asset management, and wealth management business models 
• Registration governance and regulatory risk management 
• Regulatory investigations, disclosure obligations, and suitability assessments 
  

Skills & Competencies 

• Exceptional leadership and people management skills. 
• Strong judgment and decision-making capabilities. 
• Advanced analytical and risk assessment skills. 
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills. 
• Ability to influence and build credibility with regulators, senior management, and business stakeholders. 
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced regulatory environment. 
• Proven ability to resolve complex issues and drive practical, risk-based solutions. 

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.