Senior Director of Strategy Risk Business Operations and Shared Services

What is the Opportunity?

As the Senior Director, Planning, Risk & Governance, and Vendor Management, you will lead a high-performing team of directors, senior managers, and managers to drive strategic, operational, and financial excellence within RBC’s Commercial Payment Technologies (CPT) portfolio. This critical leadership role is accountable for Financial Management, Project Portfolio Planning, Vendor Management, Risk & Compliance, and Strategic Planning, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities and delivering exceptional business outcomes. You will champion employee engagement, change management, and innovation (e.g., AI adoption) while maintaining rigorous governance and operational excellence.

What You'll Do

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the Planning, Risk & Governance functions, overseeing financial management, project portfolio planning, and strategic alignment with RBC’s Commercial Banking and T&O objectives.

• Develop and execute CPT’s 5-year strategic plan, leveraging internal/external research and partnering with business executives to drive disciplined project management.

• Champion enterprise initiatives (e.g., AI/AIDLC) and change management within CPT, ensuring successful adoption and engagement.

• Foster exceptional employee engagement through targeted strategies and communication plans in partnership with Enterprise Communications.

Risk & Governance

• Ensure adherence to Risk & Governance policies, standards, and control points (e.g., audits, access reviews, compliance attestations).

• Lead T&O and RBC-initiated Risk & Governance campaigns, collaborating with Risk, GS, and business partners.

• Oversee Business Continuity Management (BCM), including plan approvals, testing, and strategy.

• Monitor Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and escalate issues, ensuring alignment with first-line defense (Internal/External Audit).

Vendor Management

• Lead the expansion of Vendor Management, optimizing on-shore/off-shore resources and negotiating multi-million-dollar contracts.

• Drive cost savings, efficiencies, and service standards across vendor relationships, ensuring alignment with financial and operational targets.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Define and execute the Financial Plan for application maintenance, development, and Risk & Governance efforts.

• Provide timely, actionable financial reporting (budgets, forecasts, metrics) to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and stakeholders.

• Manage IT Development, Maintenance, and Financial budgets, ensuring alignment with annual and 5-year plans.

• Oversee project accruals, cost accounting, and vendor invoice management to meet overhead and recovery targets.

Operational Excellence & Performance

• Monitor performance metrics, scorecards, and dashboards, driving process improvements and benchmarking.

• Lead Program/Project onboarding/closure, ensuring accurate financial tracking in systems (e.g., Planview, MIS).

• Leverage AI and automation for reporting and project delivery efficiencies.

People Leadership

• Build and mentor a high-performing team, aligning individual goals with RBC’s Leadership Model.

• Drive diversity, reward & recognition, and career development initiatives.

• Instill a culture of change readiness and empowerment across CPT.

What You Need to Succeed

Must Have:

• 15+ years of leadership experience in Technology, Financial Services, or Operations, with expertise in Risk, Governance, and Vendor Management.

• Proven track record in strategic planning, financial management, and large-scale project delivery.

• Strong understanding of AI, Agile/SDLC methodologies, and regulatory compliance.

• Exceptional negotiation, stakeholder management, and communication skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or related field; MBA or advanced certification preferred.

Nice to Have:

• Payments industry experience

What’s in it for you?
We thrive on the challenge to be our best, progressive thinking to keep growing, and working together to deliver trusted advice to help our clients thrive and communities prosper. We care about each other, reaching our potential, making a difference to our communities, and achieving success that is mutual.

• A comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses and flexible benefits, competitive compensation, commissions, and stock where applicable

• Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities

• Ability to make a difference and lasting impact

• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team

• Opportunities to do challenging work

• Opportunities to take on progressively greater accountabilities

• Opportunities to building close relationships with clients

#LI-POST

#TECHPJ

Job Skills

Adaptability, Commercial Acumen, Creative Visioning, Decision Making, Long Term Planning, Organizational Leadership, Organizational Savvy and Politics, Strategic Thinking

Additional Job Details

RBC WATERPARK PLACE, 88 QUEENS QUAY W:TORONTOTorontoCanada37.5Full timeTECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONSRegularSalaried2026-08-072026-09-15

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the application deadline date above

Our Employment Opportunities

At RBC, we are guided by living shared values of Client First, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect and Excellence and winning together as One RBC. We believe an inclusive workplace that has diverse perspectives is core to our continued growth as one of the largest and most successful banks in the world. Maintaining a workplace where our employees feel supported to perform at their best, effectively collaborate, drive innovation, and grow professionally helps to bring our Purpose to life and create value for our clients and communities. RBC strives to deliver this through policies and programs intended to foster a workplace based on respect, belonging and opportunity for all.

RBC is presently inviting candidates to apply for this existing vacancy. Applying to this posting allows you to express your interest in this current career opportunity at RBC. Qualified applicants may be contacted to review their resume in more detail.