Head, Media Relations

Address:
100 King Street West

Job Family Group:
Finance & Accounting

As a champion of BMO’s Purpose and reputation, the Head, Media Relations role leads the bank’s global media relations team, which serves as BMO’s Media Relations Centre of Excellence (COE). The Head, Media Relations is responsible for overseeing strategic media relations planning, relationship management, campaign execution, and issues and crisis management to promote and protect BMO’s global reputation and elevate our storytelling.

Serving as a key member of the leadership team of the bank’s Enterprise Public Affairs & Communications group, and working in partnership with the CEO, Business and Function Group Heads, and Chief Communications & Social Impact Officer, the Head of Media Relations leads the development of the bank’s media relations strategy, guided by BMO’s enterprise editorial plan, and achieves measurable, winning, performance.

The Head, Media Relations leads a team of media relations professionals supporting the communications objectives of BMO’s enterprise initiatives, businesses and corporate areas. Members of the Media Relations COE are deployed in a matrixed reporting model aligned to partner Heads of Communications and enterprise initiative owners. The Head, Media Relations gathers industry intelligence by building an excellent internal network and external stakeholder relationships organized in a structured coverage model to inform communications strategy, bank initiatives, and enable the successful execution of our strategy.

The Head, Media Relations acts as a key media contact for emerging issues and leads the day-to-day management of the bank’s enterprise crisis communications planning and execution.

**Role characteristics**
- Develops and delivers the bank’s media relations strategy, guides the campaigns that achieve it, oversees the Media Relations COE, the bank speaker’s bureau, spokesperson oversight and training, and manages issues and crisis response
- Supports an organizational structure and culture that achieves high employee engagement and winning performance
- Serves as a key member of the Enterprise Public Affairs and Communications leadership team
- Works as an advisor to executives across the bank to support the delivery of external communication of strategy and change management initiatives
- Works in partnership with Operating Group and Corporate Function Heads of Communication to deliver earned media outcomes
- Manages BMO’s media relationships
- Oversees relationship and work of consultant agencies, as applicable
- Develops and oversees governance of public statements and BMO spokespersons
- Identifies key and emerging issues and develops bank positioning and messaging
- Maintains collaborative relationships within the Communications & Social Impact team, and broader Strategy & Operations team to deliver on group priorities; ensuring actions are aligned and coordinated (e.g., crisis management)
- Ensures sound governance of external communications with approval processes, involving the input and engagement of the Legal, Regulatory & Compliance group, Investor Relations, in addition to other partners
- Maintains controls on COE use and access to confidential information

**Qualifications**:

- Preferred graduate degree or related experience in political science or journalism
- 15+ years experience in corporate communications with experience in media relations and social media/digital communications
- Experience leading large teams with proven experience in systematic team governance and performance management
- Experience developing executive messages, talking points, presentations and briefing documents
- Experience in financial services industry is an asset
- Expert strategic thinking skills and judgement
- Expert communication skills (verbal/written/presentation); capable of distilling complex confirmation in a simple manner to clearly communicate key messages
- In-depth project management skills
- Expert problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated experience providing strategic counsel to senior executives
- Bilingual (English/French) an asset

**We’re here to help**

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.