Sr Manager, Corporate Communications

Works collaboratively with business/group and stakeholders to assess communications needs, recommend communications plans & solutions, secure necessary approvals, and create/deliver communication solutions that effectively support and address communications needs. Sources content and feedback, assesses information and translates thoughts into effective communications solutions. Delivers high quality communications solutions that target audiences can easily access, understand and action that are alignment with company standards.

• Provides strategic input into business/group decisions as a trusted advisor.
• Makes recommendations to senior leaders on strategy and new initiatives, based on an in-depth understanding of the business/group.
• Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives.
• Identifies emerging issues and trends to inform decision-making.
• Recommends and implements solutions based on analysis of issues and implications for the business.
• Makes recommendations and solves problems to ensure communication solutions are implemented.
• May network with industry contacts to gain competitive insights and best practices.
• Leads the communications strategy planning process bringing strategic, professional communications counsel, planning and direction to leaders.
• Conducts independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues.
• Acts as the prime subject matter expert for internal/external stakeholders.
• Develops strategies and tools to measure, analyze and report on the effectiveness of communications initiatives.
• Monitors and tracks performance, and addresses any issues.
• Makes recommendations for improvements based on insights.
• Leads the execution of communication solutions; assesses and adapts as needed to ensure quality of execution.
• Assesses communications requests to determine relevancy, appropriateness, pacing and sequencing, and alignment to business priorities.
• Gathers content from multiple sources and develops communications for various vehicles including leadership messages, intranets, town halls, newsletters, video, presentations and new social media.
• Identifies and liaises with the stakeholders about opportunities for communications to other groups (e.g. customers, media, etc.) to increase communication effectiveness and alignment.
• Leads business/group change management activities from a communications perspective.
• Provides advice and strategic communications support (planning and execution) for special projects.
• Leads planning, development and execution of events and conferences.
• Acts as lead communications role in coded/confidential projects.
• Develops the strategy for and leads ongoing initiatives to continuously improve communications processes & tools.
• Reviews progress to plans and escalates complaints, issues and concerns.
• Manages expenses and external suppliers (as required).
• Acts as the day to day contact for vendors; supports the implementation, maintenance, and sustainment of vendor solutions.
• Recommends, develops and executes communication plans and solutions based on an understanding of the business strategy and stakeholder needs, and in alignment with an overarching communication strategy.
• Provides communications advice and guidance to assigned business/group, on communication principles/programs/approaches, on effective ways to communicate (e.g. message development, vehicle selection, etc.), and on implementation of solutions.
• Proactively collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to provide business context in the design, development and implementation of communication solutions.
• Leads or participates in defining communication plans designed to positively influence or change behaviour; develops tailored messaging; identifies appropriate distribution channels.
• Reviews material to ensure it complies with relevant quality standards, including translation requirements.
• Coordinates, distributes and publishes communication solutions.
• Measures and sustains communications solutions impacting the target employee audience. Gathers feedback and continually evaluates the effectiveness of communication content and the vehicles/platforms/tools/technology (e.g. Intranet, Portal, conference calls, e‑mail, shared drives and SharePoint sites, social networking platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and blogs, etc.).
• Recommends improvements, changes, additions or deletions of communication content and the vehicles/platforms/tools/technology as necessary, and coordinates with partners to ensure content is up-to-date and relevant.
• Remains alert to new trends, tools and methods of communication, and makes recommendations on their application.
• Stays up to date on company and industry trends by forming and fostering relationships with employees across the company, so as to identify newsworthy items for communication and dissemination.
• Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders and ensures alignment between stakeholders.
• Actively looks for opportunities for continuous improvement of communications processes and procedures, and participates/leads communications continuous improvement initiatives.
• Operates at a group/enterprise-wide level and serves as a specialist resource to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Applies expertise and thinks creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to problems that can be complex and non‑routine.
• Implements changes in response to shifting trends.
• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Typically 7+ years of relevant experience and post‑secondary degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Writing & editing skills - Expert.
• Uses a straight‑talk and story‑telling approach for communications.
• Ability to take technical and complex information and distill it to key messages that make sense for the audience.
• Seasoned professional with a combination of education, experience and industry knowledge.
• Verbal & written communication skills - In‑depth / Expert.
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills - In‑depth / Expert.
• Influence skills - In‑depth / Expert.
• Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross‑group collaboration - In‑depth / Expert.
• Able to manage ambiguity.
• Data‑driven decision making - In‑depth / Expert.

Salary

$86,000.00 - $160,000.00. 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.

Benefits

BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans.