Product Designer at BMO

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: BMO

Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-06-23

Experience Level: 4-6 years (Intermediate)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Lead the design and implementation of high-quality, customer-centered digital experiences for BMO.com public sites, focusing on user needs and business objectives.
Drive the application of strong design thinking principles and exceptional craft in all design outputs, from initial concept to final execution.
Leverage expertise in Figma, accessibility standards, and building scalable design modules and product pages to create intuitive and engaging user interfaces.
Articulate design rationale clearly, utilizing data and insights to inform design decisions within an AI-driven, experimentation-focused environment.
Foster strong cross-functional partnerships with product management, development, content, research, and other stakeholders to ensure cohesive and impactful product development.
Commit to continuous improvement, measurable impact, and the application of BMO's Risk Management Framework in all design and execution activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes digital product design for public-facing web properties within a large financial institution, requiring a blend of creative design skills, technical understanding, and business acumen. The mention of "AI-driven, experimentation-focused environment" suggests a need for adaptability and a data-informed approach to design iterations and A/B testing.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Design and create compelling digital experiences that prioritize user needs and business requirements, ensuring seamless logical user flows and intuitive interaction models.
Conduct user research and usability testing to gather insights and validate design decisions, translating findings into actionable design solutions.
Develop comprehensive wireframes, task flows, customer journeys, and information architecture to effectively communicate design intent and facilitate cross-disciplinary team alignment.
Create high-fidelity visual designs and interactive prototypes in Figma to convey initial ideas, test concepts, and guide development.
Collaborate closely with engineering, product management, user research, and content teams to ensure successful implementation of designs.
Select and implement appropriate design techniques and testing methodologies to ensure optimal usability and user satisfaction.
Translate business and group requirements into sketches, wireframes, and visual designs, ensuring alignment with broader enterprise-wide objectives.
Apply BMO's Risk Management Framework, making sound, risk-informed decisions to protect the bank's assets and adhere to policy documents, laws, and regulations.
Independently manage a range of complex design tasks, including those that are unique or require novel solutions, while exercising sound judgment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities include a full design lifecycle, from research and ideation to prototyping and collaboration with development. The inclusion of risk management highlights the critical nature of design decisions within a regulated financial industry.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Post-secondary degree in a related field (e.g., Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Media, Computer Science) or an equivalent combination of education and relevant business experience.
Typically requires a foundational level of proficiency in User Interface Design, Design Patterns, Imaging Tools, Web Analytics, Media Content, and Graphic Designs. Experience:
Typically between 4 - 6 years of relevant experience in product design, UX/UI design, or a similar role, with a strong portfolio demonstrating successful project outcomes.
Technical proficiency gained through education and/or business experience in digital design and related technologies. Required Skills:
Figma: Advanced proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.
User Interface (UI) Design: Expertise in creating visually appealing and functional user interfaces.
User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles and methodologies.
Design Thinking: Proven ability to apply design thinking frameworks to solve complex problems.
Accessibility: Strong knowledge of WCAG guidelines and best practices for designing accessible digital experiences.
User Research & Usability Testing: Experience in conducting research, analyzing findings, and incorporating user feedback into design.
Wireframing & Prototyping: Skill in creating effective wireframes, flows, and interactive prototypes.
Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to manage expectations and communicate effectively with various stakeholders.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to leverage data and analytics to inform design choices.
Collaboration & Team Skills: Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

Contentful: Experience with a Content Management System (CMS) like Contentful for managing web content.
Qualtrics: Familiarity with survey and experience management tools like Qualtrics for user feedback collection.
Adobe Analytics: Experience using web analytics tools like Adobe Analytics to track user behavior and measure design impact.
Confluence/Jira: Proficiency in using project management and documentation tools like Confluence and Jira for workflow management and collaboration.
Microsoft Copilot: Familiarity or experience with AI assistant tools like Microsoft Copilot in a design context.
Responsive Design: Expertise in designing for various screen sizes and devices.
Information Architecture: Skill in structuring and organizing digital content for optimal user navigation.
Storytelling: Ability to articulate design concepts and rationale effectively through compelling narratives.
Human Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and designing for human needs and behaviors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are deeply rooted in core product design competencies, with a strong emphasis on Figma and accessibility. Preferred skills highlight a modern, data-informed, and collaborative design environment, including specific tools like Contentful, Qualtrics, and AI assistants. The experience level of 4-6 years aligns with an intermediate to senior designer role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 comprehensive case studies detailing your design process from problem identification to solution implementation and impact.
Figma Proficiency: Demonstrate advanced Figma skills through examples of complex interactive prototypes, design systems, and component libraries.
User-Centered Design: Highlight projects where user research and testing significantly informed design decisions and led to measurable improvements in user experience.
Scalable Modules & Product Pages: Include examples of designing reusable design modules and efficient product page layouts that can be scaled across a website.
Accessibility Focus: Present projects where accessibility was a key consideration, detailing how you met accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Illustrate how you collaborated with product managers, developers, and researchers, showcasing communication and problem-solving within a team context.
Data & Metrics: Quantify the impact of your designs using relevant metrics (e.g., conversion rates, engagement, task completion time, user satisfaction scores).

Process Documentation:

Problem Definition: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge addressed in each case study.
Design Process: Detail your methodology, including research techniques, ideation methods, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design stages.
Iterations & Rationale: Explain key design decisions, iterations, and the rationale behind them, referencing user feedback and data.
Final Solution & Impact: Present the final design solution and provide clear evidence of its impact and success, supported by data and qualitative feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are tailored to demonstrate practical application of design skills in a professional context, emphasizing process, user-centricity, collaboration, and measurable results, which are crucial for a role involving public-facing financial websites.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $61,600.00 - $113,900.00 CAD per year.

Benefits:

Health Insurance: Comprehensive health coverage for employees and potentially dependents.
Tuition Reimbursement: Support for continued professional development and education.
Accident Insurance: Coverage in case of accidental injury.
Life Insurance: Financial protection for beneficiaries.
Retirement Savings Plans: Options for long-term financial planning and retirement security.
Performance-Based Incentives: Potential for variable pay based on individual and company performance.
Discretionary Bonuses: Possibility of additional bonuses based on various factors.
Other Perks and Rewards: A variety of additional benefits and recognition programs.

Working Hours:

Standard full-time work hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided in CAD and appears to be a standard range for an intermediate Product Designer in a major Canadian city like Toronto. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical for a large financial institution, and includes components that support both employee well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking)

Company Size: Large Enterprise (BMO is a major North American bank, employing tens of thousands globally). This size implies structured processes, opportunities for specialization, and potential for significant impact across a broad user base.

Founded: BMO was founded in 1817, making it one of Canada's oldest and most established financial institutions. This long history suggests a culture that values stability, trust, and long-term relationships, while also adapting to modern digital demands.

Team Structure:

Operations Team: This role is within the "Customer Solutions" job family group, suggesting it's part of a broader team focused on enhancing customer interactions and digital platforms.
Cross-functional Partnership: The Product Designer will work closely with Engineering, Product Management, User Research, Content, and potentially Marketing and Analytics teams.
Reporting: Likely reports into a Design Lead, UX Manager, or Head of Product Design within the Customer Solutions group. The structure will be hierarchical but with a strong emphasis on collaborative workstreams.

Methodology:

User-Centered Design: A core methodology, prioritizing user needs and experiences in all design decisions.
Data-Informed & AI-Driven: Designs will be informed by data analytics (e.g., Adobe Analytics, Qualtrics) and potentially augmented by AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot) for efficiency and insight generation.
Experimentation: The environment encourages A/B testing and iterative design to optimize performance and user engagement.
Agile/Iterative Processes: Likely operates within Agile or similar iterative development frameworks, requiring adaptability and continuous feedback loops.
Risk Management: A fundamental aspect, ensuring all design and implementation decisions adhere to BMO's robust risk management framework.

Company Website: https://www.bmo.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: BMO's position as a major financial institution implies a culture that balances innovation with security and regulatory compliance. The "Customer Solutions" focus means this role is critical to direct customer engagement and digital channel development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Intermediate Product Designer. This level implies significant autonomy in design execution, the ability to lead design for specific features or smaller products, and a strong contribution to the overall design strategy for BMO.com public sites. The role requires 4-6 years of experience, placing it beyond entry-level and into a position of contributing expertise.

Reporting Structure: The Product Designer will report to a Design Lead or Manager within the Customer Solutions group. They will work collaboratively with peers in Product Management, Engineering, and Research, requiring strong communication and influencing skills.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the customer's perception and interaction with BMO through its public digital channels. Successful designs can lead to increased customer acquisition, higher engagement, improved customer satisfaction, and ultimately, contribute to BMO's business objectives and revenue growth by making banking services more accessible and user-friendly. The focus on experimentation and data measurement allows for tangible ROI demonstration.

Growth Opportunities:

Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like accessibility, design systems, AI-assisted design, or specific product domains within BMO.
Leadership: Potential to advance to Senior Product Designer, Lead Designer, or UX Manager roles, taking on more strategic responsibilities and managing teams.
Skill Development: Access to BMO's learning resources, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities to work on diverse and complex projects, enhancing skills in areas like advanced prototyping, UX strategy, and stakeholder influence.
Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into Product Management or other strategic roles within BMO by leveraging a deep understanding of customer needs and product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a large organization, with opportunities for both specialization and broader leadership. The emphasis on data and impact measurement is crucial for career progression in operations-focused design roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The job posting explicitly states "On-site" and lists a Toronto address, indicating a requirement for physical presence at the BMO office.

Office Location(s): 33 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON, Canada. This is a central downtown Toronto location, likely offering good public transit access and proximity to amenities.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams, suggesting an office environment that supports teamwork through shared spaces, meeting rooms, and open communication channels.
Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design tools (Figma, Adobe Suite) and collaboration platforms (Confluence, Jira), as well as BMO's internal systems and potentially AI tools like Microsoft Copilot.
Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with peers, managers, and stakeholders, fostering a dynamic and communicative work atmosphere. The physical office presence facilitates spontaneous discussions and team-building.

Work Schedule:

The standard work schedule is expected to be full-time, likely aligning with typical business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday) to facilitate collaboration. However, the nature of design projects may sometimes require flexibility to meet deadlines or participate in critical user testing sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key differentiator, suggesting BMO values in-person collaboration, spontaneous ideation, and direct team engagement for its design professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Application Submission: Submit your resume and portfolio through the BMO careers portal.
Initial Screening: Recruiters will review applications and portfolios for a match in skills, experience, and qualifications.
Hiring Manager/Recruiter Interview: A preliminary conversation to discuss your background, interest in the role, and basic qualifications.
Design Challenge/Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present your portfolio, walking through 1-2 key case studies. This may be accompanied by a design exercise or challenge to assess your problem-solving skills, design process, and ability to articulate your rationale.
Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product Management, Engineering, and User Research to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.
Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or hiring manager to assess cultural fit and overall suitability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate Wisely: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your skills in UI/UX, design thinking, Figma, accessibility, and collaboration.
Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the measurable impact of your work.
Highlight Process: Emphasize how you arrived at your solutions, showing your research, ideation, iteration, and testing phases.
Showcase Figma Mastery: Demonstrate your proficiency with Figma by showcasing interactive prototypes, design system components, and efficient workflows.
Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the success and ROI of your design solutions.
Address Accessibility: Clearly explain how you considered and implemented accessibility in your designs.
Be Prepared to Discuss: Anticipate questions about your design choices, your collaboration style, and how you handle feedback or conflict.

Challenge Preparation:

Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you understand the problem statement, target audience, and key constraints.
Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across research, ideation, design, and presentation.
Articulate Your Strategy: Clearly explain your approach and the reasoning behind your design decisions. Focus on the process, not just the final output.
Consider BMO's Domain: Think about the specific challenges and considerations for designing for a large financial institution (e.g., security, trust, regulatory compliance, diverse user base).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to evaluate both design craft and collaborative capabilities, with a strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and the ability to articulate design strategy and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Figma: The core tool for wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and likely design system management. Expect advanced usage.
Contentful: A headless CMS, likely used for managing content on BMO.com public sites. Familiarity will be beneficial for understanding content integration.
Qualtrics: A platform for experience management, likely used for user surveys, feedback collection, and potentially NPS tracking.
Adobe Analytics: A robust web analytics tool for tracking user behavior, measuring campaign performance, and deriving insights from website data.
Confluence/Jira: Standard tools for project management, issue tracking, documentation, and team collaboration within an Agile software development environment.
Microsoft Copilot: An AI-powered assistant integrated into Microsoft 365, potentially used for drafting content, generating ideas, summarizing information, or assisting with coding tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

Adobe Analytics: Essential for understanding user behavior on BMO.com and measuring the impact of design changes.
Qualtrics: For direct user feedback and experience measurement.
Internal BMO Dashboards: Likely custom dashboards built on BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for reporting on key performance indicators.

CRM & Automation:

While not explicitly mentioned as a primary tool for this design role, an understanding of how design integrates with CRM systems (like Salesforce, though BMO likely uses internal or specialized banking CRMs) and marketing automation platforms is beneficial for a holistic view of the customer journey.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack reflects a modern, data-driven, and collaborative design environment, with a particular emphasis on Figma, analytics, and AI-assisted tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Boldly Grow the Good: This is BMO's overarching purpose, implying a commitment to positive impact, ethical practices, and sustainable growth in business and life. For a designer, this translates to creating solutions that genuinely benefit customers and the business.
Customer-Centricity: A foundational value, ensuring that customer needs, satisfaction, and feedback are at the forefront of all design decisions.
Data-Driven Approach: Decisions are informed by data and insights, not just intuition. This applies to understanding user behavior, measuring impact, and optimizing designs.
Efficiency & Continuous Improvement: A drive to optimize processes and outcomes, embracing experimentation and iterative development to achieve better results.
Quality & Craftsmanship: A commitment to high standards in design execution, ensuring polished, professional, and effective digital experiences.
Risk Awareness: A strong understanding of and adherence to BMO's Risk Management Framework, ensuring that designs are secure, compliant, and protect the bank and its customers.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Integration: The team thrives on close collaboration between design, product, engineering, research, and content. Open communication and shared ownership are key.
Constructive Feedback: An environment where feedback is welcomed and used constructively to refine designs and processes.
Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, learnings from experiments, and insights across teams to foster collective growth.
Agile & Iterative: A flexible approach to work that embraces change, quick iterations, and adaptability to evolving project requirements and market conditions.

📝 Enhancement Note: BMO's culture emphasizes purpose-driven work, customer focus, and a strong ethical framework, particularly important in financial services. The blend of innovation with risk management is a defining characteristic.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Balancing Innovation with Security/Regulation: Designing user-friendly experiences within the strict regulatory and security constraints of a major financial institution.
Complex Stakeholder Landscape: Navigating the needs and priorities of various internal stakeholders across different departments.
AI Integration: Effectively leveraging AI tools like Microsoft Copilot to enhance design processes without compromising quality or user trust.
Data Interpretation: Translating complex analytics and user feedback into actionable design improvements.
Scalability Across Platforms: Ensuring design consistency and effectiveness across BMO.com's various public-facing sections and user journeys.
On-site Requirement: Adapting to a full-time on-site work environment after potential periods of remote work.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Deep Dive into Financial Services UX: Gain specialized knowledge in designing for banking and financial products, understanding user needs and trust factors unique to this industry.
Advanced Design System Development: Contribute to or lead the evolution of BMO's design system for public sites, enhancing its scalability and usability.
AI in Design Workshops: Participate in training or workshops focused on leveraging AI tools for design ideation, content generation, and workflow optimization.
Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend relevant UX/Product Design conferences or pursue certifications in areas like accessibility or specific design tools.
Mentorship: Access to experienced design leaders and product managers within BMO for guidance and career development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in a large, regulated industry, offering significant learning opportunities in complex problem-solving and strategic design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"Describe a time you had to balance user needs with strict business or technical constraints. How did you approach it?" (Focus on your process, compromise, and rationale.)
"Walk us through a project where you used data and user research to significantly influence your design decisions. What metrics did you track, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight your data-driven approach and impact.)
"How do you approach designing for accessibility? Can you share an example of how you've incorporated accessibility best practices into your work?" (Demonstrate your understanding of WCAG and practical application.)
"Imagine you're tasked with redesigning a key product page on BMO.com. What would be your first steps, and how would you ensure it aligns with BMO's brand and risk appetite?" (Showcase your strategic thinking and understanding of the BMO context.) Company & Culture Questions:
"What do you know about BMO's 'Boldly Grow the Good' purpose, and how do you see your role as a Product Designer contributing to it?" (Connect your work to the company's mission.)
"How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies, especially in the context of AI-driven design?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning.)
"Describe your ideal collaboration with product managers and engineers. How do you ensure smooth handoffs and effective communication?" (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills.)
"How do you handle constructive criticism or differing opinions on your designs from stakeholders?" (Assess your adaptability and conflict resolution.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
Select Impactful Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your skills relevant to this role (Figma, accessibility, user-centered design, collaboration, data impact).
Structure Your Narrative: For each project:
1. The Problem: Clearly define the user or business challenge.
2. Your Role: Specify your responsibilities.
3. Your Process: Detail your research, ideation, design, and iteration steps.
4. Key Decisions & Rationale: Explain critical choices and why you made them.
5. The Solution: Showcase your final designs, prototypes, and key features.
6. The Impact: Quantify results with data and user feedback.
Showcase Figma: Be prepared to share your screen and navigate through Figma files, demonstrating your proficiency and any design systems you've built.
Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your presentation to ensure it's clear, engaging, and fits within the allotted time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skill, but also strategic thinking, collaboration, and an understanding of the financial services context, especially regarding risk and customer trust.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

Submit Your Application: Navigate to the BMO careers portal and submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio.
Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects that highlight your Figma proficiency, user-centered design process, accessibility work, and experience with designing for web platforms. Tailor your case study selection to align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, emphasizing measurable impact.
Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 4-6 years of relevant experience. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., Figma, Accessibility, Design Thinking, User Experience, Stakeholder Management, Data-Driven Decision Making) and quantify your achievements with specific metrics whenever possible.
Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected case studies. Be ready to articulate your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your experience with tools like Figma, Adobe Analytics, and your understanding of AI in design.
Research BMO: Familiarize yourself with BMO's purpose ("Boldly Grow the Good"), its services, recent news, and its public-facing website (BMO.com). Understand the unique challenges and opportunities of designing for a large financial institution, including its commitment to risk management and customer trust.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Product Designer