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This position has closed. BMO removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 25, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Specialist III-IC Investment Research

BMO · Chicago, IL · $96,200–$179,400 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 10, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 22, 2026

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

You would source new managers primarily through networking and industry events. How do you build a pipeline of managers worth meeting?

What they are checking: Sourcing discipline in a relationship-driven market.

Tell me about a manager you recommended against when others on the team were enthusiastic.

What they are checking: Independence of judgment in a consensus process.

How do you keep your own analysis honest when a manager has had a very good year?

What they are checking: Guarding against recency, the standard trap in this work.

What would you do

An existing manager's returns are fine but their strategy has drifted from what you approved. What do you do?

What they are checking: Style drift detection and the willingness to act on it, the central monitoring risk.

You would participate in client meetings and help build out the hedge fund platform internally. How do you explain a complex strategy to a client who is not an institutional investor?

What they are checking: Translation, named as part of the internal support duties.

This is posted as Specialist III but the role mandate describes a Research Director, at Canal Street with an October second deadline and no salary band. What would you want clarified about the level?

What they are checking: That they noticed the title mismatch and will ask about seniority and pay.

About the work

This role selects and monitors third-party hedge fund managers. Walk me through your initial evaluation of a fund you have never seen before.

What they are checking: Due diligence method on managers, the core skill.

What separates a genuinely differentiated hedge fund strategy from one that is just leveraged beta?

What they are checking: Real analytical judgment rather than performance chasing.

You would assess investment strategy, team, risk management and performance. Which of those tells you the most, and which is most often misread?

What they are checking: Where they put weight, which reveals experience.

How do you assess a manager's operational and risk infrastructure rather than just their returns?

What they are checking: Operational due diligence, often where the real failures are.

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The full job description

As published by BMO.

Application Deadline: 10/02/2026 Address: 320 S Canal Street Job Family Group: Customer Solutions ROLE MANDATE The Research Director is involved in the investment selection, due diligence and ongoing monitoring primarily of 3rd party hedge fund managers. The position primarily entails experience with hedge funds, including familiarity with managers across various strategies, an ability to build strong relationships with internal and external partners, broad understanding of financial markets, critical thinking as it relates to markets and investment solutions and may have direct client contact. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES • Manager Research • Sourcing: Identify new hedge fund managers and investment strategies primarily through networking and industry events. • Initial Evaluation: Perform qualitative and quantitative analysis on prospective funds, including assessing investment strategy, team, risk management, and performance analytics. • Ongoing Monitoring: Actively monitor existing hedge fund managers to ensure investment strategies remain consistent and risks are within expectations. • Internal Support • Assist with client portfolios and participate in client meetings, as needed • Work with internal partners to build hedge fund platform, maximize usage and provide written and verbal communications. KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS • Must have high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations. Position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy. • Must be able to interact and communicate with individuals at all levels of the organization. • Continual attention to detail, establishing priorities and meeting deadlines. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands. • Bachelor’s degree in a related field; seven or more years of relevant experience, with a strong preference for a graduate degree and/or CFA. • Collaboration & team skills • Analytical and problem-solving skills Salary : $96,200.00 - $179,400.00 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.