Please note this role is subject to Hybrid Work Model, 2-3 days/week work in office) non-negotiable. Must be a Senior Leader (people manager) with solid experience in AI/Gen AI Products and Portfolios.
Position Overview:
The Director / Product Owner at BMO Bank is a strategic and influential role responsible for shaping, delivering, and managing innovative AI-driven products and solutions within highly regulated financial environments. This role requires exceptional leadership in aligning business objectives with cutting-edge AI technologies, ensuring robust product-market fit, customer-centric innovation, and compliance with regulatory standards.
Directs, researches, builds, and implements scalable artificial intelligence systems capable of learning and making predictions to business requirements. Enhances data pipelines and lakes to ensure data is clean, accurate, and optimized for machine learning models. Monitors, evaluates, and optimizes learning processes to continuously improve high-performance models. Works with other data and analytics professionals to optimize, refine, automate and scale analysis into repeatable analytics solutions and decision support tools.
Oversees the designs and development of machine learning (ML) and deep learning systems/products
Runs hands-on machine learning tests and experiments. Trains and retrain systems to prevent drift and optimize results.
Solves complex problems with multi-layered data sets, extends existing ML frameworks and optimizes existing machine learning libraries.
Develops Machine Learning apps, implements algorithms, and builds tools to apply ML frameworks.
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.
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.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Product Vision & Roadmap:
Oversee a product portfolio, define and articulate the vision, strategy, and roadmap for AI/GenAI products.
Involved in tactical plans for market analysis, customer pain points, and Design Thinking methodologies to validate product-market fit.
Prioritize product backlog ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives and regulatory requirements.
Product Lifecycle Leadership:
Lead by example in driving the complete AI product lifecycle from concept and MVP development to full-scale product launch, optimization, and eventual retirement.
Ensure products are developed with clear personas, validated business cases, and measurable outcomes.
Oversee product activation strategies, collaborating closely with go-to-market, pricing, and positioning teams.
Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-functional Leadership:
Serve as the voice of business and customer, translating business requirements into actionable plans and clear acceptance criteria.
Foster high-performing, collaborative cross-functional teams including data scientists, engineers, designers, compliance, and risk management professionals.
Address blockers proactively, ensuring smooth adoption through strategic communication, training, and documentation.
Market Insight & Continuous Improvement:
Own the strategy to Monitor product performance, gathering stakeholder feedback and iteratively enhancing product offerings.
Keep abreast of AI trends, competitive intelligence, and regulatory landscape to maintain product relevance and market leadership.
Qualifications & Experience:
Education:
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related discipline, PhD level education.
Professional Experience:
Minimum 10+ years in product management, product portfolio leadership within a Innovation-driven environment
5+ years specifically managing AI, ML, or GenAI product teams.
Demonstrated success in regulated industries (Financial Services, Healthcare, etc.) with thorough understanding of compliance, ethics, and risk management.
Proven hands-on expertise in applying Design Thinking methodologies, achieving strong Product-Market Fit, and managing complex stakeholder environments.
Skills & Competencies:
Exceptional understanding of AI/ML concepts, use cases, and responsible AI practices (including AI Evaluation and AI Governance).
Advanced skills in product lifecycle management within agile and hybrid methodologies.
Proficient in market analysis, strategic thinking, and synthesizing research into actionable strategies.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, data-driven decision-making capabilities.
Excellent verbal and written communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to navigate ambiguity and lead confidently in complex, cross-functional environments.
What We Offer:
Opportunity to lead pioneering AI initiatives in a forward-thinking, innovative banking environment.
Commitment to professional growth, continuous learning, and career development.
Collaborative culture focused on diversity, inclusion, and innovation.
Salary:
$164,400.00 - $285,600.00
Pay Type:
Salaried
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/us/en
BMO is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereo@types, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. We also consider applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.
BMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to BMOCareers.Support@bmo.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
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.
