Director, Sustainable Finance (Food, Consumer and Agribusiness)

Application Deadline:

08/29/2024

Address:

180 Montgomery St.

Job Family Group:

Commercial Sales & Service

About us:

BMO is the 8th largest bank in North America, and the 4th largest commercial lender with aggressive growth ambitions in the U.S. We are driven by a single purpose: to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. Our Purpose informs our strategy, drives our ambition, and reinforces our commitments to progress: for a thriving economy, a sustainable future, and an inclusive society. We continue to be listed among the most sustainable companies in the world – notably, ranked for the 19th straight year on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. BMO was also recognized as the world’s top financial institution for helping make progress in support of a just and sustainable economy by the World Benchmarking Alliance. And, for the sixth consecutive year, we were recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. We are excited to announce that we are growing our Sustainable Finance practice in Food, Consumer and Agribusiness for North America. We draw on our deep expertise to advise our clients on risks and opportunities associated with sustainable finance activities. The Food, Consumer and Agribusiness Portfolio is supported by dedicated relationship managers, credit underwriting and portfolio management team as well as BMO’s Commercial- and Investment Banking product platform.

About the Role:

The Director role will report to Head of Sustainable Finance and Clean Energy and will play a crucial role in driving impact by delivering sustainable banking capabilities. The successful candidate will lead our growth ambitions to be our clients top financing partner in achieving their sustainability roadmaps and supporting a sustainable future. Responsible for establishing broad engagement by delivering advisory and along with working with industry bankers in financing key climate solutions for clients transitioning their business to less resource intensive models.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver Commercial Food, Consumer and Agribusiness sustainability strategy in partnership with Industry Heads in US and Canada and sector bankers.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the client's requirements, take charge of client strategizing and implementation by originating a range of financing options, collaborating with portfolio bankers according to suitability and necessity.
• Provide direct client advisory to a wide range of clients in key segments in the portfolio to influence their sustainability actions with a 3–5-year road map.
• Influence client investment plans and position BMO’s targeted banking toolset and offerings in the key markets we serve.
• Monitor key sustainability developments, proactively share relevant insights, thought leadership, policy regulatory and incentive levers for financing opportunities in a rapidly changing global environment.
• Build further organizational delivery capacity by collaborating with key partners on training, internal and external communication, and marketing, demonstrate our expertise in key industry events.
• Collaborate with other partners in Capital Markets and ESG (Enterprise Environmental, Social, and Governance) for new product development and business development focused initiatives including external partnerships.
• Collaborate and support development and execution of climate and environmental risk management, risk policy and agricultural regulatory responsibilities for the sector in BMO.
• Travel: 25% in US & Canada

Qualifications:

• Typically, 7+ years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 5-10 years of sustainability leadership experience and subject matter expertise in managing and leading sustainability efforts in an Agriculture and/or Food company.

• In-depth understanding of evolving landscape as it relates to financial services, preferred experience in sustainable finance at a financial institution/bank, direct structuring experience with existing sustainable banking solutions, structuring guidelines, and principles.

• Knowledgeable in voluntary, regulatory sustainability disclosure and reporting frameworks.

• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant industry verticals and market’s competitive environment.

• Demonstrated history of successful business development, including ability to network in external markets.

• Strong relationship management and collaboration skills. Ability to influence across a matrix organization up or down while using a collaborative mindset.

• Excell