Royal Bank of Canada

Director, AI Program Management

Royal Bank of Canada$120K — $150K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years in program/product management, with 3+ years in AI/ML initiatives
  • Proven success in delivering complex technology programs in enterprise settings, preferably financial services
  • Strong understanding of AI/ML technologies and productionization challenges
  • Exceptional skills in stakeholder management and influencing senior executives
  • Ability to translate technical concepts for business audiences
  • Experience managing cross-functional teams in matrixed environments
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead end-to-end delivery of AI solutions from conception to production
  • Develop and maintain a strategic roadmap balancing partner needs with technical feasibility
  • Drive execution excellence through agile program management
  • Establish clear success metrics for AI initiatives
  • Build and maintain relationships with business partners
  • Translate technical concepts into business value for executives
  • Coordinate cross-functional dependencies and facilitate alignment on priorities
  • Manage program risks and ensure alignment with enterprise AI strategy

Benefits

  • Opportunity to shape AI's transformative impact within the business
  • Work with world-class talent
  • Competitive compensation packages
  • Comprehensive benefits
  • Culture that values diversity, inclusion, and continuous learning
Full Job Description
Job Description

What's the opportunity?

RBC Borealis is seeking an experienced Director of AI Program Management to lead one of RBC Borealis' AI and Digital transformation programs focused on a single line of business. This strategic leadership role will bridge cutting-edge AI research and practical business application, driving the delivery of innovative AI solutions that create measurable value for internal partners across the bank.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Research, GRM at RBC Borealis, you will work with a team of approximately 10 researchers, research engineers, and engineers to execute on an ambitious AI transformation agenda while maintaining alignment with both partner needs and technical realities.

Your responsibilities include:

Program Leadership & Execution
  • Lead end-to-end delivery of AI solutions from conception through production deployment
  • Develop and maintain a strategic roadmap that balances partner business needs with technical feasibility and research innovation
  • Drive execution excellence through agile program management practices, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery
  • Establish clear success metrics and accountability frameworks for AI initiatives
  • Champion best practices in AI development, deployment, and governance


Stakeholder Management & Communication
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with business partners across the Line of Business
  • Translate complex technical concepts into business value propositions for executive stakeholders
  • Coordinate cross-functional dependencies with enterprise architecture, data, risk, and compliance teams
  • Facilitate alignment between research objectives and business priorities
  • Present program updates, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership


Team Leadership
  • Provide strategic direction and prioritization to the R&D team
  • Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement
  • Communicate priorities clearly and ensure team understanding of the "why" behind initiatives


Strategy & Planning
  • Identify opportunities for AI-driven business transformation within the LoB
  • Conduct discovery and scoping for new AI use cases
  • Manage program risks, issues, and dependencies proactively
  • Ensure alignment with enterprise AI strategy and governance frameworks
  • Drive adoption and change management for delivered AI solutions


You're our ideal candidate if you have:

Must have:
  • 8+ years of progressive program/product management experience, with at least 3 years leading AI/ML initiatives
  • Proven track record delivering complex technology programs in enterprise environments, preferably financial services
  • Strong understanding of AI/ML technologies, development lifecycle, and productionization challenges
  • Exceptional stakeholder management skills with experience influencing senior executives
  • Demonstrated ability to translate between technical and business contexts
  • Experience managing cross-functional teams and navigating matrixed organizations
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills


Nice to have
  • Experience in banking, financial services, or regulated industries
  • Background in data science, machine learning, or software engineering
  • Familiarity with responsible AI principles and governance frameworks
  • PMP, Agile/Scrum certifications, or equivalent
  • MBA or advanced degree in a relevant field


What's in it for you?

RBC is committed to being a leader in AI innovation within financial services. You'll have the opportunity to shape how AI transforms our business, work with world-class talent, and deliver solutions that impact millions of customers. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a culture that values diversity, inclusion, and continuous learning.

About RBC Borealis

RBC Borealis is the driving force behind Royal Bank of Canada's AI and data innovation. As part of Canada's largest financial institution, we bring together a team of architects, engineers, scientists, and product experts on a mission to revolutionize finance through world-class research, solutions, and a resilient data platform. With locations across Toronto, Waterloo, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver, we're at the forefront of AI research and platform development. With a focus on cutting-edge research in areas like time series forecasting, causal machine learning, and responsible AI, we are seamlessly integrating AI research and data engineering, to solve critical challenges in the financial industry. We are building intelligent, and scalable, data-driven solutions that will help communities thrive and drive innovation for our customers across the bank.

Job Skills

Additional Job Details

Address:

RBC WATERPARK PLACE, 88 QUEENS QUAY W:TORONTO

City:

Toronto

Country:

Canada

Work hours/week:

37.5

Employment Type:

Full time

Platform:

TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS

Job Type:

Regular

Pay Type:

Salaried

Posted Date:

2026-02-11

Application Deadline:

2026-07-16
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the application deadline date above

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.

About Royal Bank of Canada

Royal Bank of Canada Careers

Join the dynamic team at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), a global leader in financial services and a company committed to excellence and innovation. At RBC, we offer a wide range of job opportunities that empower professionals to shape their career paths with leadership, diversity training, and continuous growth.

Work You’ll Do

At Royal Bank of Canada, we are not just hiring; we are building a culture of innovation and leadership. Our team members are at the forefront of the financial industry, driving transformation and delivering targeted solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients and communities.

Explore Job Opportunities and Employment at RBC

Whether you are starting your career or looking to take it to the next level, RBC offers positions that challenge your skills and fuel your ambition. From entry-level positions to leadership roles, our job opportunities span across various functions and regions. Join us and be part of a team that values professional growth and diversity.

Internship and Professional Development

Kickstart your career with an internship at Royal Bank of Canada. Our internships provide invaluable hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and insights into the financial services industry. Interns at RBC gain the skills necessary to excel and are often considered for full-time positions within the company.

Benefits and Culture

At RBC, we prioritize the well-being and satisfaction of our employees. Our benefits package is designed to support our team members at every stage of their life and career. RBC’s culture is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and responsibility, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

Career Growth and Innovation

We believe in nurturing the potential of our employees through continuous learning and career development programs. At RBC, you will find endless opportunities to grow professionally through on-the-job experiences, formal training programs, and leadership development initiatives. Our commitment to innovation means we are constantly seeking out new ideas and perspectives, making RBC a perfect place for those who aim to lead and innovate.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is our strength. At Royal Bank of Canada, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued and respected. Our diversity training programs are designed to educate and inspire, creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

Join Our Team

Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Start your journey with RBC today and be part of a world-class team known for its commitment to client service, community involvement, and innovation.

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Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities awaiting you at RBC. Explore the possibilities with Royal Bank of Canada, where your future is filled with potential and the path to success is paved with countless opportunities for professional and personal growth. Join us and shape not just your career but the future of the financial industry.
Learn more about Royal Bank of Canada
Size
86,007 employees
Market Cap
$130.3 billion
Industry
5 Year Trend
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NASDAQ

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