Director, Collections Strategy & Performance

Job Description

Application Deadline: <br><br>02/26/2026<br><br> Address: <br><br>33 Dundas Street West<br><br> Job Family Group:<br><br>Audit, Risk & Compliance<br><br> <b>Join a pioneering team shaping the future of Canadian Retail Credit Strategies.</b><br><br> We're building next-generation, end-to-end credit solutions that span the entire lifecycle-from acquisition and account management to collections-anchored in a holistic <b>Lending Decision Strategy</b> and aligned with <b>Canadian Personal & Business Banking (P&BB)</b> priorities.<br>Our approach combines cutting-edge decisioning software, advanced decision trees, and innovative credit models to deliver smarter, faster, and more customer-centric outcomes. This is your opportunity to influence credit cycles using modern modeling techniques and best-in-class decisioning applications, all within a high-performance, customer-focused environment.<br>If you're passionate about leveraging data, technology, and strategy to transform lending decisions and drive meaningful impact across Canadian P&BB, this is the team for you. <br><br> The <b>Director, Collections Strategy & Performance</b> owns the future direction, development, and execution of BMO's Collections strategies across the Unsecured Lending, Real Estate Secured Lending (RESL), and Business Banking portfolios. This leader is accountable for building a next generation collections ecosystem one that leverages advanced analytics, modern decisioning tools, and best in class scores/models to proactively manage delinquency, reduce losses, optimize recoveries, and elevate the customer experience.<br><br> As a designated model user, the Director provides strategic direction on the models, scores, and analytical signals that drive differentiated risk segmentation and treatment design. They partner closely with collections operations and modeling to ensure that models are effectively used, continuously improved, and aligned to portfolio needs while also ideating new tools and signals to drive performance uplift.<br><br> The Director plays a key leadership role in shaping enterprise collections strategy, fostering innovation, strengthening operational execution, and steering the organization toward modern, data driven, customer centric recovery practices.<br><br> <b>Key Responsibilities </b><br><br> <b>Strategy Leadership & Future-State Design</b><ul><li><b>Own the end to end collections strategy roadmap</b>, setting the future direction for treatment design, prioritization, and capability development across all retail credit portfolios.</li><li><b>Drive modernization of Collections</b> by championing advanced analytics, automation, new segmentation tools, and digital engagement strategies.</li><li><b>Define forward-looking requirements</b> for decision engines, workflow platforms, and analytical tools to enhance risk segmentation and operational effectiveness.</li></ul> <b>Model Use, Analytics & Risk Differentiation</b><ul><li>Serve as a primary model user, directing how models, scores, and risk signals are applied across pre delinquency, early stage, late stage, and recoveries strategies ensuring the are aligned with account management tactics for an integrated customer lifecycle approach.</li><li>Collaborate with model development teams to ensure effective model design, calibration, and operational use, providing strategic input into new or enhanced collections models.</li><li>Identify and champion new analytical tools, behavioural scores, challenger models, and alternative data sources that improve predictiveness and performance.</li><li>Ensure all strategies are designed with strong measurement frameworks, including predictive score monitoring, segmentation effectiveness, and treatment lift analysis.</li></ul> <b>Pre Delinquency, Treatment & Controls Design</b><ul><li>Continuous improvement of pre delinquency interventions that balance customer experience with strong repayment outcomes.</li><li>Design treatment paths and controls informed by behavioural segmentation, customer attributes, risk level, and operational capacity.</li><li>Develop differentiated strategies digital, agent led, settlement, hardship, and collections offers to maximize recovery and reduce roll rates.</li></ul> <b>Performance Management & Optimization</b><ul><li>Continuously monitor strategy performance, diagnosing under or over performance and implementing real time corrective actions.</li><li>Lead A/B and <u>multivariate testing approach</u> to refine strategies, operational processes, and customer interaction approaches.</li><li>Assess and forecast capacity, staffing, and technological needs based on portfolio trends and macroeconomic conditions, ensuring alignment with Collections Operations.</li></ul> <b>Recoveries Strategy & Loss Mitigation</b><ul><li>Own the strategic framework for recoveries, including in house recoveries, third party agencies, debt sales, and legal channels.</li><li>Optimize inventory levels, recovery allocation, and agency performance to maximize net recoveries.</li></ul> <b>Governance, Risk Alignment & Reporting</b><ul><li>Ensure all strategies align with risk appetite, regulatory requirements, and 2LOD oversight.</li><li>Present strategy insights, emerging trends, and performance results to senior leadership, forums, and risk committees.</li><li>Lead remediation and root cause based strategy adjustments to address operational gaps or control issues.</li></ul> <b>Leadership, Culture & Talent Development</b><ul><li>Build and lead a high performing collections strategy team with deep analytical, risk, and business expertise.</li><li>Foster a culture of inclusion, innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.</li><li>Develop successors, mentor emerging leaders, and strengthen functional capabilities across the team.</li></ul> <b>Qualifications</b><ul><li><b>10+ years of progressive experience</b> in Credit Risk, Collections Strategy, Portfolio Management, or related retail lending domains.</li><li>Strong understanding of <b>collections lifecycle management</b> across pre delinquency, early stage, late stage, and recoveries, ideally within a large financial institution.</li><li>Proven ability to serve as a <b>designated model user</b>, translating model outputs into actionable strategies and providing input to model development and monitoring.</li><li>Demonstrated strength in <b>strategy design, modernization, and digital transformation</b>, including automation, workflow tools, and decision engine optimization.</li><li>Exceptional <b>leadership and people management capabilities</b>, with a track record of building high performing analytical and strategic teams.</li><li>Strong knowledge of <b>risk appetite frameworks, regulatory expectations</b>, and 2nd line oversight requirements.</li><li>Excellent communication and executive level presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and risk committees.</li><li>Ability to thrive in fast paced, data driven environments and lead through change with a <b>customer centric, innovation focused mindset</b>.</li></ul> <br><br> <b> Salary </b><b>:</b><br><br>$110,500.00 - $192,500.00<br> <b>Pay Type: </b><br><br>Salaried<br> The above represents BMO Financial Group's pay range and type.<br><br> 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.<br><br> 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: <br><br> <b>About Us</b><br><br> 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.<br><br> 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.<br><br> To find out more visit us at .<br><br> BMO is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. By learning from each other's differences, we gain strength through our people and our perspectives. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please contact your recruiter.<br><br> 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.<br><br>