Senior Manager, AI Assurance & Audit

AI Governance Lead

Lead and execute audits focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Generative AI, Large Language Models, and AI-enabled processes, by assessing the design and effectiveness of AI governance, Responsible AI frameworks, and risk management practices.

Evaluate risks such as bias, fairness, explainability, transparency, privacy, model misuse, hallucinations, and regulatory compliance, and validate controls including human oversight, monitoring, testing, and inventory governance.

Provide independent assurance on AI control environments and oversight processes, identify emerging AI risks and control gaps, and deliver clear, actionable insights to management and the Board to strengthen governance and mitigate operational, ethical, and reputational risks arising from AI adoption.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic input into business decisions as a trusted advisor.
• Meeting regularly with business/group stakeholders to identify, changing strategies, tactics, and initiatives across the business group/corporate area and critically evaluate and direct changes to the nature, extent and timing of the audit and related procedures.
• Managing resources and leading the execution of strategic initiatives to deliver on business and financial goals.
• Helping determine business priorities and best sequence for execution of business/group strategy.
• Developing the business case by identifying needs, analyzing potential options and assessing expected return on investment.
• Acting as the prime subject matter expert for business/group/stakeholders including colleagues across Corporate Audit.
• Ensuring alignment between stakeholders.
• Providing proactive leadership and direction to team members as may be required.
• Providing feedback supporting or completing performance assessments.
• Defining business requirements for analytics & reporting to ensure data insights inform business decision making.
• Providing "big picture" insights based upon knowledge and research enhancing the Division's value proposition with senior leadership and business groups.
• Developing specific and where appropriate broad communications which identify revenue and cost management opportunities for business units/groups which will assist in achieving their business goals including profitability.
• Collaborating across BMO to develop communications strategies and ensure consistency of messaging, in order to positively influence or change behaviour.
• Developing an annual audit plan which is well aligned to client strategies and tactics and encompasses appropriate areas of focus based upon the business and operating risks of the unit.
• Where appropriate, hiring and onboarding new team members.
• Continuing to develop a highly engaged team with specialized expertise.
• Ensuring work of subordinates is well executed in accordance with the Audit's standards and that their judgments are sound, well documented and repeatable.
• Managing regular performance and performance assessment of all staff for which they are responsible. Recognizing the appropriate value of timing of rewards.
• Executing audits in full recognition of the risks of the group that encompass the inherent risks, control risks and internal/external environment and regulatory risks. This may encompass individual audits and broader capstone audits of Enterprise level functions/processes.
• Conducting advisory engagements and other engagements as required.
• Determining impact of changing strategies, tactics, risks and initiatives on audit, advisory and investigative services.
• Identifying and evaluating the impact of new and emerging technology and technology risk on the organization's processes and control environment.
• Utilizing data analytics in advisory engagements to improve quality and efficiencies.
• Developing an awareness of business strategies, policies and standards providing meaningful insights based upon knowledge and research which will continue to improve the Enterprise management and control processes.
• Maintaining the independence of the audit practice and its personnel.
• Developing insightful discussion points contributing to audit reports that provides fair and balanced assessment of governance, risk and control processes based on audit work performed. Deliverables must be objective, clear, concise and timely.
• Identifying control deficiencies and providing a fair and balanced assessment of their magnitude.
• Maintaining working knowledge of the industry, regulatory, broad economic environment, as to the development of new strategies and plans, opportunities and risk, to obtain an understanding of the control environment.
• Ensuring that all audit procedures executed are conducted in accordance to Corporate Audit Methodology as confirmed by its Quality Assurance program and/or regulatory examination results.
• Applying sound judgement in the execution of the assigned work and ensuring open lines of communication.
• Developing and maintaining good working relations with key stakeholders.
• Actively monitoring change management initiatives and identifying potential risks.
• Actively participating and supporting Corporate Audit change initiatives.
• Maintaining and enhancing professional audit qualifications in line with industry standards.
• Operating at a group/enterprise-wide level and serving as a specialist resource to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Applying expertise and thinking creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to problems that can be complex and non-routine.
• Implementing changes in response to shifting trends.
• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications:

• Typically 7+ years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth / Expert.
• Analytical and problem solving skills - In-depth / Expert.
• Influence skills - In-depth / Expert.
• Able to manage ambiguity.
• Data driven decision making - In-depth / Expert.
• Professional designations such as: CIA, CISA, CPA or CRISC
• Additional AI-related certifications are strongly preferred, including:
• • ISACA Advanced in AI Audit (AAIA)
  • ISACA Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals
  • GARP Artificial Intelligence Risk & Governance (AIRG)
  • Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP)
• Seasoned professional with a combination of education and experience. Experience in financial services is strongly preferred with exposure to cross-border regulatory environments (Canada and U.S.).
• Strong understanding of:
• • Generative AI
  • Large Language Models (LLMs)
  • AI Agents
  • Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
  • Responsible AI principles
  • AI governance operating models
  • AI oversight frameworks
  • AI lifecycle management
  • Human oversight controls
  • AI monitoring and assurance practices
• Experience conducting audits, assessments, reviews, or assurance activities related to:
• • Generative AI
  • Responsible AI
  • AI governance
  • AI risk management
  • AI-enabled business processes
• Practical understanding of AI risks including:
• • Bias and fairness
  • Explainability and transparency
  • Hallucinations
  • Privacy and confidentiality
  • Intellectual property risk
  • AI misuse and abuse
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Human accountability and oversight

*Hybrid 3 days in office required (Chicago, Milwaukee, California)

*Job posting reflects the Chicago salary range

$102,000.00 - $190,000.00

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

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