Royal Bank of Canada

Director, External Managers - Alternatives

Royal Bank of Canada$110K — $160K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in investment management or alternative investments
  • Minimum 5 years of managing external managers or portfolio management responsibilities
  • Strong knowledge of alternative asset classes
  • Proven team leadership and people management experience
  • Excellent relationship management and communication skills
  • Financial analysis and quantitative capabilities
  • Professional investment or risk designation (e.g., CFA, FRM, CAIA) or equivalent experience required

Responsibilities

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of portfolio managers
  • Oversee monitoring and evaluation of external alternative managers
  • Develop and maintain a diversified portfolio of alternative investments
  • Research, evaluate, and implement new asset classes and investment strategies
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with cross-functional teams
  • Review and challenge investment results and financial reporting
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for key external managers

Benefits

  • Collaborative and high-performing team culture
  • Opportunity for professional development and training
  • Exposure to innovative alternative investment strategies
  • Engagement with external industry leaders and partners
  • Access to a comprehensive benefits program
  • Supportive work environment with emphasis on compliance and risk management
Full Job Description
Job Description

What is the opportunity?

We are seeking an experienced Director to lead a team of portfolio managers overseeing relationships with external fund managers and alternative investment partners. This role is responsible for portfolio construction, performance monitoring, strategic engagement with third-party managers, and developing expertise in alternative insurance-linked strategies.

What will you do?

Team Leadership & Management
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of portfolio managers
  • Assign portfolio responsibilities and set performance expectations
  • Conduct performance reviews and identify training/development needs
  • Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture


Manager Oversight & Performance
  • Oversee monitoring and evaluation of external alternative managers against agreed benchmarks and KPIs
  • Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback
  • Manage manager contracts, fees, and commercial negotiations
  • Escalate underperformance issues and develop remediation plans


Portfolio Management - General Alternatives
  • Develop and maintain diversified portfolio of alternative investments (Private Debt, Infrastructure, private equity, real estate, Structured Products etc.)
  • Conduct due diligence on prospective managers and investment opportunities
  • Make recommendations on manager selection, retention, and termination
  • Ensure alignment between manager strategies and RBC Insurance investment objectives


Strategic Investment Leadership
  • Research, evaluate, and implement new asset classes and investment strategies
  • Develop approval recommendations and establish appropriate governance frameworks
  • Create portfolio guidelines, performance measurements, and reporting frameworks for new initiatives
  • Build and maintain deep expertise in insurance-linked securities, strategies and investment vehicles
  • Stay current with insurance industry trends, regulatory changes, and market developments


Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with actuarial, finance, risk and business teams
  • Partner with external managers and advisors on portfolio optimization
  • Partner with external counsel on the completion and negotiation of legal contracts
  • Facilitate communication between investment and operational teams to ensure alignment


Investment Accounting & Financial Reporting
  • Provide subject matter expertise on insurance investment accounting and financial reporting
  • Review and challenge investment results, valuation approaches, and disclosures
  • Support accurate and timely financial reporting to stakeholders and regulators
  • Ensure compliance with accounting standards and insurance regulatory requirements


Relationship Management
  • Serve as primary point of contact for key external managers
  • Schedule and lead manager meetings, reviews, and strategy sessions
  • Foster collaborative relationships to optimize outcomes for RBC Insurance
  • Communicate portfolio updates and expectations clearly
  • Develop relationships with insurance brokers and industry specialists as needed


Risk & Compliance
  • Ensure managers comply with regulatory requirements and RBC policies
  • Monitor liquidity, leverage, and concentration risks
  • Prepare risk reports and maintain audit trails
  • Escalate compliance concerns promptly


Reporting & Analytics
  • Generate performance reports and investment dashboards for stakeholders
  • Analyze manager attribution and contribution to portfolio returns
  • Track and report on portfolio-specific metrics and risk factors


What do you need to succeed?

Must-have
  • 10+ years in investment management or alternatives experience
  • Minimum 5 years managing external managers or portfolio management responsibilities
  • Strong knowledge of alternative asset classes
  • Proven team leadership and people management experience
  • Excellent relationship management and communication skills
  • Financial analysis and quantitative capabilities


Educational Requirements and Accreditations
  • Professional investment or risk designation (e.g., CFA, FRM, CAIA) or equivalent institutional investment experience required
  • Additional actuarial credentials (e.g., FSA or ASA) are considered an asset


Nice-to-have
  • Background in insurance industry
  • Experience with alternative manager due diligence frameworks
  • Track record building and scaling alternative investment platforms
  • Knowledge of insurance investment accounting and regulatory reporting


Job Skills
Derivatives, Investment Consulting, Investment Performance Measurement, Investment Risk Management, Investments, Investments Analysis, Long Term Planning, Portfolio Management, Product Services, Risk Control

Additional Job Details

Address:
RBC CENTRE, 155 WELLINGTON ST W:TORONTO
City:
Toronto
Country:
Canada
Work hours/week:
37.5
Employment Type:
Full time
Platform:
INSURANCE
Job Type:
Regular
Pay Type:
Salaried
Posted Date:
2026-05-29
Application Deadline:
2026-06-12
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the application deadline date above

Compensation for this position (including salary and discretionary/variable payments) will be determined by factors, including but not limited to candidate's experience, skills, registration status, performance, individual goals, market conditions, and business needs.

Pay Range

The expected pay range for this position is:
$110,000.00 - $160,000.00

The pay range provided is for the primary work location referenced in the Additional Job Details section of this job posting. Pay ranges may differ based on location. If the posting lists multiple job locations, a recruiter can confirm availability of the role and the relevant pay rage for the additional locations listed. RBC supports pay transparency and we strive to ensure all pay ranges are competitive, fair, and equitable.

You have the potential to earn RBC's discretionary variable compensation program which gives you an opportunity to increase your total compensation, provided that business meets its performance targets and you meet your individual goals.

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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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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