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Director, Commercial & Wealth Communications

BMO · Chicago, IL · $130,000–$270,000 a year · Full time

Posted Oct 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a team of communicators you led. How did you get the best from them?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead experienced professionals and vendors, not just execute work themselves.

Tell me about a time you managed communications through a difficult organizational change.

What they are checking: Whether they understand how internal communications protect culture and trust during change.

What would you do

How would you build an external positioning platform for BMO's Commercial Bank that also supports consideration for Wealth?

What they are checking: Whether they can create one strategic story that connects two businesses with different audiences.

Two business leaders want conflicting messages in the same campaign. How do you resolve it?

What they are checking: Whether they can find a shared message tied to strategy and handle senior disagreement diplomatically.

A negative story about a wealth client complaint is gaining attention. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they act quickly with Legal and the business while protecting client confidentiality.

How do you make sure communications get through approvals in a regulated bank without missing the moment?

What they are checking: Whether they plan ahead with Legal and Compliance so approvals do not become a bottleneck.

About the work

How do you measure whether communications are improving reputation?

What they are checking: Whether they use meaningful measures like share of voice, sentiment and business indicators rather than volume alone.

What makes executive thought leadership credible for a commercial banking audience?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that business owners respond to practical insight, not marketing language.

How do you decide which agencies and vendors to use and how to hold them accountable?

What they are checking: Whether they have real agency management experience with clear scopes and performance expectations.

How would you connect internal and external messages for U.S. Banking so employees hear news before the public?

What they are checking: Whether they understand sequencing and why employees lose trust when they learn news from outside.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by BMO.

Application Deadline: 10/16/2026 Address: 320 S Canal Street Job Family Group: Corporate Affairs BMO’s high-growth U.S. Banking group is seeking a leader for its communications portfolio supporting our Commercial and Wealth businesses, demonstrating that BMO helps clients, communities and colleagues make real financial progress and supporting our growth goals. The Director, Commercial & Wealth Communications is responsible for developing an external positioning platform for BMO’s leading Commercial Bank with crossover to consideration for our Wealth business. They will lead a team of experienced professionals and vendors to execute internal and external elements of their plan, in addition to internal communications for key elements of our U.S. Banking communications program. Must demonstrate ability to create and lead strategic communications that support both reputation and culture. Experience leading diverse teams formally and informally in a large organization a plus, as well as agency experience or agency management experience. Leader will work collaboratively with stakeholders to assess communications needs, recommend communications plans & solutions, secure necessary approvals, and create/deliver communication solutions that effectively support and address communications needs. Delivers high quality communications solutions that target audiences can easily access, understand and action that are alignment with company standards and values. • Develop a positioning platform and supporting program for BMO’s U.S. Commercial Bank, reaching business owners and leaders. • Lead a team of experienced professionals and partners to deliver results that support consideration for BMO. • Apply an integrated communications lens across stakeholder audiences, including maintaining internal communications approaches that support alignment and engagement. • Oversee executive communications professionals partnering with executive leaders in our business. • Collaborate across communications, media relations, marketing and business partners to achieve positioning goals. • Provide strategic external communication counsel and support to senior leadership to build the broader brand and reputation of BMO among business owners and leaders. • Proactively identify stories and opportunities to profile advancements in the business in alignment with our value proposition and client segment strategy. • Use analytics and competitive benchmarking to measure success and demonstrate impact. • Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders to understand business objectives, identify opportunities and maximize results. • Provide competitive intelligence and insight to inform strategy. • Work in compliance with regulatory policies, digital and brand guidelines, and updates standards and processes as required to mitigate risk and improve effectiveness. Qualifications: • 15+ years of relevant experience • Integrated communications experience required. • Marketing experience in a B2B environment a plus. • Ability to take technical and complex information and distill it to key messages that make sense. • Demonstrated experience influencing and coaching senior leaders. • Technical leader viewed as a thought leader for innovation. • Able to manage ambiguity with agility as the external environment changes. • Expert-level skill required: • Writing & editing skills - Expert. • Verbal & written communication skills - Expert. • Analytical and problem solving skills - Expert. • Influence skills - Expert. • Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration - Expert. • Data driven decision making - Expert. • MBA or post-secondary degree in Communications/Public Relations, Marketing or a related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience is a plus. Salary : $130,000.00 - $270,000.00 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 http://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 stereotypes, 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.

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