Director, AI Assurance & Audit

About the role

Lead the enterprise AI assurance and audit program by setting the multi-year AI audit strategy, defining the audit universe, and establishing enterprise-wide AI assurance frameworks, methodologies, and coverage for Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Generative AI, Large Language Models, and AI-enabled processes.

Provide independent assurance and effective challenge to senior management by evaluating the maturity, scalability, and effectiveness of AI governance, Responsible AI frameworks, and risk management practices, while overseeing enterprise-level risks such as bias, explainability, transparency, privacy, hallucinations, model misuse, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the AI Assurance Center of Competency, drive capability building and methodology standards, and act as the primary interface with regulators and external stakeholders.
• Direct complex, cross-enterprise audits, aggregate thematic insights, assess regulatory readiness, and deliver authoritative, forward-looking assurance opinions to executive leadership, the Audit Committee, and the Board to strengthen governance, influence strategy, and mitigate systemic operational, ethical, and reputational risks arising from AI adoption.
• Conduct audit engagements to critically assess management and internal control processes, approving the nature, extent and timing of the audit, its execution and the formulation of insightful audit reports.
• Reports on audits to provide clear, concise and memorable insights on issues and potential issues to assist management in fulfilling mandates.
• Provides independent assurance on the quality and effectiveness of internal control, risk management, and governance systems and processes to support senior management and the Board in protecting BMO and its reputation.
• Fosters a culture aligned to BMO purpose, values and strategy and role models BMO values and behaviours in all that they do.
• Ensures alignment between values and behavior that fosters diversity and inclusion.
• Regularly connects work to BMO’s purpose, sets inspirational goals, defines clear expected outcomes, and ensures clear accountability for follow through.
• Buils interdependent teams that collaborate across functional and operating groups to create the highest value for all stakeholders.
• Maintains the independence of the audit practice and its personnel.
• Develops insightful discussion points contributing to audit reports that provides fair and balanced assessment of governance, risk and control processes based on audit work performed.

Qualifications

• Typically 9+ years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional designations such as CIA, CISA, CPA, or CRISC.
• Preferred certifications: ISACA AAIA, ISACA Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals, GARP AIRG, AIGP.
• Deep understanding of Generative AI, LLMs, AI Agents, RAG, Responsible AI principles, AI governance frameworks, and AI assurance practices.
• Experience presenting assurance findings to Executive Management, Audit Committees, Boards, and regulators.
• Seasoned expert with extensive industry knowledge.
• Technical leader viewed as a thought leader for innovation.
• Verbal & written communication skills - Expert.
• Analytical and problem solving skills - Expert.
• Influence skills - Expert.
• Collaboration & team skills; with a focus on cross-group collaboration - Expert.
• Data driven decision making - Expert.