Royal Bank of Canada

Global Head of AI and Data Risk Audit

Royal Bank of Canada$200K — $340K *
Finance & Insurance
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 12-15 years of experience in financial sector audit, emphasizing IT expertise
  • Undergraduate degree
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Strong analytical and strategic mindset
  • In-depth knowledge of US regulatory landscape with experience dealing with key regulators

Responsibilities

  • Assess AI governance design and effectiveness across global operations
  • Develop a comprehensive Global AI Audit Coverage Strategy
  • Validate adherence to evolving AI regulations and coordinate responses
  • Conduct ongoing risk monitoring of AI landscape
  • Present audit findings to senior leadership and regulatory bodies

Benefits

  • Comprehensive Total Rewards Program that includes competitive compensation and flexible benefits
  • Opportunities for professional development through coaching and managing
  • Ability to make a significant impact within the organization
  • Dynamic, collaborative work environment
  • Challenging work opportunities that promote growth
Full Job Description
Job Description

The role provides independent, risk-based assurance over RBC's AI and data governance frameworks, ensuring that AI adoption is responsible, compliant, and aligned with the bank's risk appetite-thereby protecting RBC's reputation, clients, and stakeholders while enabling innovation.
  • Independent Assurance: Assess the design and operating effectiveness of AI governance, model risk management, and AI lifecycle controls across global operations
  • Strategic Coverage Planning: Develop and maintain the Global AI Audit Coverage Strategy, ensuring comprehensive audit coverage of AI platforms, use cases, and supporting infrastructure
  • Regulatory Compliance: Validate adherence to evolving AI regulations and coordinate responses to regulatory exams and inquiries
  • Risk Monitoring: Conduct continuous risk monitoring of the AI landscape, identifying emerging risks and reporting to senior leadership
  • Thought Leadership: Position RBC Internal Audit as an industry leader in AI assurance, contributing to standards development and peer collaboration


Strategy and Planning

Develop and Maintain the Global AI Audit Coverage Strategy
  • Annually refresh the AI Audit Coverage Strategy, ensuring alignment with RBC's AI transformation roadmap, regulatory expectations, and emerging risks
  • Define audit methodologies for traditional AI/ML, Generative AI, and Agentic AI technologies
  • Conduct risk assessments over AI-related Auditable Entities (AEs), mapping AI models, platforms, and business processes to audit coverage
  • Coordinate with other IA teams (Model Risk, Data, Technology, Operations, Cybersecurity, Compliance) to ensure integrated audit approach


Lead Annual Audit Planning for AI and Data Risk
  • Partner with Regional Chief Audit Executives (CAEs) to prioritize AI audits based on risk, cycle requirements, and strategic initiatives
  • Balance audit coverage across:
    • 2LOD AI Risk Management (AI Risk Governance, Enterprise Model Risk Management)
    • 1LOD Centralized AI Governance (AI Group, Data & Analytics, Enterprise Architecture)
    • 1LOD Platform Audits (Capital Markets, Wealth Management, Banking, Insurance)
  • Allocate budget and resources for AI and data audits, including co-sourcing arrangements


Define Audit Methodologies for Emerging AI Technologies
  • Establish audit approaches for Generative AI platforms, AI workbenches, and Agentic AI systems
  • Develop testing methodologies for:
    • AI governance frameworks and committee operating models
    • Model validation processes (bias testing, fairness metrics, model cards, datasheets)
    • AI lifecycle controls (development, deployment, monitoring, change management)
    • Data governance for AI (lineage, retention, classification, consent, privacy impact assessments)
    • Third-party AI vendor risk management
    • AI security and resilience (zero-trust architecture, RBAC, output sanitization, drift detection)
    • Regulatory compliance (EU AI Act, Canadian Federal Anti-Fraud Strategy, OSFI guidance)


Partner with 2LOD and 1LOD on Evolving AI Frameworks
  • Engage proactively with the AI Risk Governance team and Enterprise Model Risk Management to provide input on framework development
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the AI Group on control design and best practices
  • Participate in industry forums (e.g., OSFI's Financial Industry Forum on AI) to contribute to AI governance standards


Global Audit Execution

Direct Audit Engagements Across Platforms
  • Oversee execution of AI and data audits across Capital Markets, Wealth Management, Personal & Commercial Banking, Insurance & GAM, and Enterprise Functions.


Oversee Audits of AI Governance, Model Risk Management, and AI Lifecycle Controls
  • AI Governance Audits: Assess the design and effectiveness of governance structures, policies, committee operations (AI Working Forum, Executive AI Council, platform AI committees), and escalation processes
  • Model Risk Management Audits: Evaluate model validation frameworks, ongoing monitoring, model documentation, and validation independence
  • AI Lifecycle Audits: Review controls for AI development, deployment, monitoring, incident response, and decommissioning


Coordinate Integrated Audits with Technology, Operations, Data, Model Risk, and Cybersecurity Teams
  • Lead integrated audits that combine AI-specific testing with broader IT, data, and operational risk assessments
  • Partner with:
    • Cyber & IT Risk Audit: AI security controls, cryptography, access management
    • Model Risk Audit: Model validation, EMRM oversight
    • Technology Infrastructure Audit: Cloud platforms, disaster recovery, IT asset management supporting AI
    • Global Compliance Audit: BSA/AML controls, fair lending, regulatory compliance


Regulatory and Compliance Oversight

Monitor Evolving AI Regulations
  • Track and interpret regulatory developments across key jurisdictions (Examples below):
    • European Union: EU AI Act (risk-based classification, prohibited practices, transparency requirements)
    • Canada: Federal Anti-Fraud Strategy, OSFI guidance on model risk and AI governance
    • United States: OCC guidance, FCAC consumer protection, state-level AI regulations
    • UK: UK AI Bill, FCA expectations
    • APAC: MAS AI governance frameworks, Australian Scams Prevention Framework
  • Assess implications for RBC's AI programs and audit coverage strategy


Lead Regulatory Issue Validation and Coordinate Regulatory Exam Responses
  • Validate management's remediation of regulatory issues related to AI (e.g., GRM AI Governance issues, Capital Markets AI Governance Framework issues)
  • Coordinate responses to regulatory exams on AI governance, model risk management, and data governance
  • Liaise with regulatory affairs teams and external auditors to ensure consistent messaging


Ensure Audit Coverage Addresses Regulatory Expectations Across Jurisdictions

Liaise with Regulators (OSFI, OCC, FCAC, FCA, MAS, etc.)
  • Serve as the primary IA contact for regulatory inquiries on AI and data governance
  • Present audit findings and observations to regulators during examinations
  • Participate in regulatory forums and roundtables on AI risk management


Governance and Reporting

Provide Executive Reporting to the Audit Committee and Risk Committee of the Board
  • Deliver quarterly presentations on:
    • AI risk profile and emerging trends
    • Status of AI audit plan execution
    • Key audit findings and management action plans
    • Regulatory issues and validation status
    • Continuous risk monitoring insights
  • Prepare written reports summarizing AI governance maturity, control environment effectiveness, and areas requiring Board attention


Present AI Risk Profile Assessments and Audit Findings to Senior Leadership

Participate as IA Observer in Key Governance Forums

Maintain Continuous Risk Monitoring of the AI Landscape
  • Conduct quarterly Continuous Risk Monitoring (CRM) assessments for AI-related Auditable Entities
  • Assign risk ratings (Satisfactory, Requires Improvement, Unsatisfactory) and escalate concerns to senior leadership


What do you need to succeed?
  • A minimum of 12-15 years of experience in financial sector audit with practice focus and expertise in IT
  • Undergraduate degree
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Accountability, leadership, initiative, teamwork, change agent and impact and influence
  • Risk management and audit expertise
  • In-depth knowledge of US regulatory landscape and strong working background/experience with key US regulators
  • Strong analytical, communication, strategic and creative mindset with strong execution ability
  • High level of general management skills, including leading, negotiating, communication and team building
  • Effective interaction/dealing with executives and senior management and ability to maintain a strong relationship with IA staff, partners and external stakeholders
  • Strong analytical, communication, computer, and interpersonal skills


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 include competitive compensation and flexible benefits, such as 401(k) program with company-matching contributions, health, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and paid-time off.
  • 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 build close relationships with clients.


The expected salary range for this particular position is $200,000-$340,000, depending on your experience, skills, and registration status, market conditions and business needs.

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

#LI-POST

Job Skills
Adaptability, Auditing, Detail-Oriented, Internal Controls, Interpersonal Relationship Management, Long Term Planning, Multi-Level Communication, Organizational Savvy and Politics, Results-Oriented

Additional Job Details

Address:

20 KING ST W:TORONTO

City:

Toronto

Country:

Canada

Work hours/week:

37.5

Employment Type:

Full time

Platform:

INTERNAL AUDIT

Job Type:

Regular

Pay Type:

Salaried

Posted Date:

2026-09-09

Application Deadline:

2026-10-09
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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Learn more about Royal Bank of Canada
Size
86,007 employees
Market Cap
$130.3 billion
Industry
5 Year Trend
+8.7%
NASDAQ

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