Royal Bank of Canada

Director - Strategic Initiatives

Royal Bank of Canada • $125K — $150K *
Toronto, ON M3C 0E3In-Person
Real Estate & Construction
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of senior leadership experience in Wealth Management or financial services
  • Proven success in delivering strategic initiatives on time and within budget
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills
  • Strong strategic thinker with tactical execution capabilities
  • Expertise in change management and stakeholder alignment
  • Advanced analytical and financial acumen
  • Exceptional relationship-building and organizational skills

Responsibilities

  • Own the strategic execution of WMC's real estate strategy
  • Lead the WMC Real Estate Committee and direct key initiatives
  • Develop business cases and financial models for strategic decisions
  • Direct lease strategy and oversee capital projects
  • Lead real estate planning and review occupancy metrics
  • Analyze financial trends to identify optimization opportunities
  • Deliver data-driven insights on business initiatives

Benefits

  • Comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses
  • Support for professional development through coaching
  • Opportunity to make a lasting impact
  • Work in a dynamic and collaborative environment
  • Challenging work opportunities
  • Possibility for greater responsibilities
  • Build relationships with senior leadership teams
Full Job Description
Job Description

What is the opportunity?

Join the Wealth Management Canada (WMC) Chief Administrative Officer's team as Director of Strategic Initiatives-a pivotal leadership role reporting directly to the CAO. In this position, you will own the strategic execution of critical business initiatives with a primary focus on WMC's real estate strategy, serving as both a strategic architect and hands-on leader. You will drive real estate initiatives (including lease transactions and capital projects) that shape WMC's future while maintaining meticulous attention to tactical delivery, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and exceptional execution standards. This is an opportunity to make a measurable impact on a growing business, working at the highest levels of the organization on matters that directly influence competitive positioning and shareholder value.

Key Relationships
  • WMC CEO and CAO
  • WMC Business leaders, Regional/Managing Directors and Branch Management Teams
  • Cross-functional partners: Corporate Real Estate (CRE), Finance, Compliance, Risk, and Governance functions
  • External stakeholders: Third-party providers


What will you do?

As a strategic leader who executes, you will own multiple dimensions of excellence, balancing strategic vision with direct delivery:

Strategic Real Estate Portfolio Management
  • Working closely with the CEO and CAO to define WMC's premises strategy and oversee its execution as a cornerstone of the business strategy
  • Lead the WMC Real Estate Committee, setting strategic agendas, reviewing, and prioritizing initiatives, presenting decision items, and directing all key stakeholders on outcomes
  • Develop comprehensive business cases and financial models with Enterprise Decision Support and key stakeholders (including annual Macro PAR, other PARs as needed and RBC Enterprise PARs)
  • Provide ongoing status reporting on all initiatives against approved budgets and timelines
  • Direct lease strategy (renewals, expansions, new locations) to third-party brokers and CRE transaction teams; review and arrange execution of lease documentation per delegation of authority; deliver closing reports to business leaders
  • Direct and oversee capital projects (for new locations, expansions, renovations and reconfigurations), ensuring design standards are maintained, providing branch teams with project milestone updates, and reviewing P&Ls for proper capitalization and depreciation
  • Serve as escalation contact for WMC branches and CRE teams on facilities management issues


Operational Excellence & Performance Management
  • Lead the annual real estate planning and forecasting process with WMC leaders, review occupancy metrics, and develop/maintain rigorous key performance indicators (quantitative and qualitative) to inform strategic decisions
  • Analyze financial and operational trends to identify optimization opportunities and drive bottom-line impact
  • Provide strategic direction on development and enhancement of real estate reporting and analytical tools (including the WMC Occupancy Planning Tool) to support ongoing business decision-making
  • Deliver data-driven insights on key metrics and financials related to business initiatives to track trends and identify areas of financial/operational efficiency


Strategic Planning & Governance
  • Lead the annual strategic business process review (BPR), meeting with key contributors and stakeholders to create consolidated strategic documents for executive presentation
  • Own decision-making processes across all initiatives, providing strategic direction and tactical day-to-day support
  • Participate and represent WMC on enterprise-wide real estate initiatives and other strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with WMC objectives


Team Leadership & Organizational Development
  • Build and mentor a high-performing team, developing talent for future leadership roles
  • Foster a culture of strategic thinking, accountability, execution excellence, and continuous improvement


What do you need to succeed?

Must have:
  • 5+ years of progressive senior leadership in Wealth Management or financial services,
  • Proven track record of delivering strategic initiatives on time and within budget
  • Senior leadership presence with exceptional communication presentation skills
  • Strategic thinker who balances vision with tactical execution and hands-on delivery
  • Change management expertise with strong stakeholder influence and alignment abilities
  • Advanced analytical, financial and business acumen
  • Entrepreneurial mindset; self-directed with strong initiative and execution drive
  • Exceptional relationship-building, organizational, and time management skills
  • Sound judgment and decision-making capabilities
  • Strong work ethic with demonstrated commitment to achieving ambitious goals
  • Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, collaborative environment

Nice-to-have:
  • Experience working on real estate related initiatives


What is 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
  • 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 Wealth Management Canada leadership teams and client facing teams


Job Skills

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:

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Job Type:

Regular

Pay Type:

Salaried

Posted Date:

2026-08-17

Application Deadline:

2026-08-31
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the application deadline date above

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
Finance & Insurance
5 Year Trend
+8.7%
NASDAQ
RY
* Ladders Estimates

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