Manager, Customer Segments & Affinity Partnerships

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As part of BMOs North American Retail Payments the Partnerships team manages several existing partnerships and has the mandate to develop and grow new partnerships that are aligned with our strategic vision to provide value add benefits to our BMO credit cardholders

The Manager Customer Segments & Affinity Partnerships is responsible for leading the end-to-end strategy performance and lifecycle for all Customer segments: Military Students and MLS programs and Affinity Partnerships. This role drives portfolio depth segment-level acquisition and engagement strategies and supports modernization or wind-down of legacy relationships. The manager will develop and execute customer segments and Affinity-specific growth strategies deepen customer penetration support value-added benefit positioning and ensure alignment with BMOs broader card strategy and Ambition 2030 partnership with Marketing Product Finance cross-enterprise teams and Segment Partners the role ensures strong segment performance data-driven decision making and enhancements that improve customer experience portfolio value and long-term growth.

Accountabilities:

Lead and execute customer segment strategies (Student Military MLS) to drive credit card acquisition engagement and portfolio depth.

• Develop annual Customer segment growth plans and channel strategies aligned to BMOs credit card objectives.
• Work closely with the everyday banking segments team to find synergies to grow Segments and drive overall card penetration Optimize segment value propositions embedded benefits and lifecycle strategy to deepen penetration and drive sustainable growth.
• Support the tracking of expected benefits due to projects delivered by the team.

Manage and modernize Affinity partnerships to improve customer experience value and alignment to BMOs credit card and loyalty strategy.

• Continue to optimize Affinity partnerships by enabling their channels to drive card acquisition.
• Refresh Affinity partner models benefits and economics where relevant to support long-term sustainability.
• Ensure alignment to credit card and loyalty strategy including benefit positioning and customer experience enhancements.
• Monitor competitive dynamics and recommend segment/Affinity improvements that elevate value perception.
• Effectively manage all contractual requirements for Affinity.

Drive cross-functional delivery and governance for segment-specific initiatives and Affinity partnerships.

• Liaise with other lines of business including other areas of the payments team and other teams within Personal & Business Banking (Acquisition Small Business Customer Engagement Operations Analytics Marketing Distribution).
• Manage risk related to the portfolio and ensure compliance with all laws rules and BMO policies.
• Maintain performance transparency through regular reporting and documentation.

Management of day-to-day relationships with existing Affinity Partnerships and Customer Segments team.

• Effectively manage the day-to-day operations of partnerships and Affinity products.
• Act as the primary relationship lead for Cards Segments: Students Military and MLS.
• Ensure that contractual and partner commitments are met.
• Deliver an annual plan for priorities and goals for each Affinity Partner annually.
• Work collaboratively with other areas of the payments business as the P&L owner for Affinity products.

Support modernization migration and lifecycle transitions across customer segments.

• Oversee customer migrations graduate bridge programming school card transitions and other modernization streams.
• Protect customer experience through proactive readiness planning communications and alignment with internal and external teams
• evaluate legacy program performance and recommend opportunities to refine consolidate or sunset where needed

Qualifications:

Knowledge

• Minimum undergraduate university degree an MBA or other post-graduate degree or equivalent industry related experience preferred
• 3 years credit card product management experience
• 2 years partner relationship management experience
• Management consulting or Strategy experience preferred
• Strong track record delivering results in ambiguous and challenging situations
• P&L management experience preferred
• Data fluency is an asset

Skills

• Excellent business acumen and strategic planning
• Negotiation business / partnership development value creation
• Strong financial quantitative analytic and business casing skills
• Proven ability to establish conducive working relationships with partners and managers across different business units and groups
• Proven ability to influence without authority and drive change
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) with ability to frame and effectively communicate complex problems
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple facets of a complex business and effectively prioritize the most important business levers and initiatives
• Strong time management and project management skills
• Team-oriented collaborative and flexible
• Strong attention to detail

The above represents BMO Financial Groups 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 Groups expected target for the first year in this position.

BMO Financial Groups 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: Us

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. Well 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 well help you gain valuable experience and broaden your skillset.

To find out more visit us at is committed to an inclusive equitable and accessible workplace. By learning from each others 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.

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.