Senior Registration Officer

Operating within BMO’s Legal, Regulatory Compliance & Procurement department, BMO Registrations, manages all matters relating to the registration for Canadian BMO employees whose business activities in securities and/or insurance are subject to regulation under provincial authority and/or as members of Self-Regulatory Organizations.

Reporting to the Manager, Registrations, the Senior Registration Officer plays a key role toward fulfilling the department’s mandate in support of the overall goals and objectives of the Bank. The Senior Registration Officer is responsible for providing advisory services and acting as a point of escalation for registration- related issues and inquiries for BMO Investment Services Inc, which is the Bank’s registered mutual fund dealer.

Accountabilities

• Ensure that relevant departmental/firm policies meet business requirements and mitigates regulatory risk.

• When appropriate, develop & implement changes to the Registration policies & procedures to ensure that the firm’s compliance program keeps pace with applicable regulatory developments.

• Identify opportunities and implement policies and procedures for greater efficiency, cost minimization and improve service levels for business partners.

• Conduct thorough reviews of registration applications, including those involving civil, criminal, and/or financial disclosures and/or prior terminations for cause and presents findings to Registrations management.

• Act as a subject matter expert in providing guidance to Branches, Lines of Business, HR, and colleagues on registration-related matters.

• Ensure operational integrity and privacy measures are maintained and safeguarded with the line of business and compliance department.

• Interact with the provincial & territorial securities regulators and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Authority on all firm & individual registration-related matters pertaining to the firm.

• Assist management as a representative for technology related initiatives, business meetings, and any other special projects as assigned.

• Recommend policy and procedural changes, and standards with respect to regulatory compliance requirements to meet business objectives and or enhance business procedures and mitigate risk.

• Issue Resolution - resolves a diverse range of related issues/situations/problems arising from registration applications and business.

• Escalation Process - The Senior Registration Officer may escalate to the Manager, Registrations or to the CCO as required. The Senior Registration Officer will interact with senior management of the organization and external regulatory officials which will require exceptional communication and negotiation skills to advance the incumbent’s original thoughts and ideas.

• Accept re-assignment of responsibilities when the need arises.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of industry courses is an asset.

• Minimum 3 years of experience in Registrations, either in a dealer or regulatory setting.

• Broad knowledge of rules, instruments, and policies relevant to a registered mutual fund dealer, including but not limited to National Instruments 33-109, 31-103, CIRO MFD Rules, and provincial/territorial securities legislation in the jurisdictions in which BMO II operates.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Written and verbal communication skills in French is an asset.

• Ability to identify, assess, and outline solutions to mitigate risk.

• Ability to work both independently and/or collaboratively in a high stress, fast-paced and changing environment.

• Analytical skills and good judgment are extremely important.

• Must possess excellent negotiation and listening skills.

• Must be independent and confident enough to defend their views in an open forum.

• Able to recognize and handle sensitive and confidential information.

• Capable of handling multiple tasks and meeting stringent deadlines.