Royal Bank of Canada

Senior Director, AI Research

Royal Bank of Canada • $160K — $200K *
Montreal, QC H1A 0A1In-Person
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Mathematics, or equivalent industry experience.
  • 10+ years experience developing and deploying machine learning models in industry settings, with 3-5 years in leadership roles.
  • Proven track record of translating research prototypes into scalable production solutions, preferably in regulated industries.
  • Strong publication record and established thought leadership in AI/ML domains.
  • Excellent communication skills for collaborating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor a team of AI researchers and engineers, fostering innovation and collaboration.
  • Direct the creation of advanced machine learning algorithms across critical business domains.
  • Define AI roadmaps that align with RBC's strategic goals and drive business outcomes.
  • Build a strong team by attracting top AI talent from academia and industry.
  • Advise RBC business units on AI potentials and new investment areas for AI development.
  • Collaborate to operationalize research into applied AI solutions and ensure production readiness.
  • Drive experimentation to validate AI models against real-world business challenges.

Benefits

  • Access to unique data assets and cutting-edge AI infrastructure.
  • Opportunities for publishing research and attending top-tier conferences.
  • Real impact on products and services that reach millions globally.
  • Comprehensive rewards program with flexibility and stock options.
  • Supportive leaders focusing on talent development and mentorship.
  • Dynamic team environment with collaboration among AI experts.
  • Chance to influence the future of AI within a leading financial institution.
Full Job Description
Job Description

What will you do?

AI Research Leadership:
  • Lead and mentor a high-performing team of AI researchers and research engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and impact-driven solutions.
  • Direct the development of novel machine learning algorithms and models across one or more domains: credit risk, fraud detection, market prediction, pricing & optimization, or generative/agentic AI. Leverage RBC and external data to deliver differentiating solutions and intellectual property to the business.
  • Define AI roadmaps with ML models that balance advancing the state-of-the-art with delivering tangible business outcomes aligned to RBC's strategic priorities.
  • Build and retain top-tier AI talent by creating an environment that attracts leading researchers from both academia and industry.
  • Act as a thought leader and partner to RBC businesses and functions and advise on the art of the possible for AI in these domains.
  • Evaluate new areas for AI investment, complete proof of concept testing and evaluation.


Applied Research & Business Impact:
  • Partner closely with the VP, AI Research and Innovation team to operationalize frontier research and translate breakthroughs into applied solutions.
  • Collaborate with VP, Solutions Engineering & Delivery to ensure AI algorithms are production-ready, scalable, and integrated seamlessly into RBC's enterprise platforms.
  • Drive rapid experimentation and iteration to test and validate models against real-world business problems, ensuring measurable ROI.
  • Develop intellectual property and publish research findings that position RBC as a thought leader in AI innovation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Act as a trusted technical advisor to business partners across RBC's lines of business, translating complex AI concepts into actionable insights.
  • Work with platform teams to leverage RBC's AI & data infrastructure (Lumina) for model development, training, and deployment.
  • Partner with AI Governance & Evaluation teams to ensure all models meet regulatory, ethical, and compliance standards.
  • Engage with external research communities, academic institutions, and industry partners to stay ahead of emerging AI trends and technologies.
  • Champion responsible AI practices, embedding fairness, transparency, and bias mitigation into the research lifecycle.
  • Identify opportunities to advance RBC's AI capabilities through experimentation with emerging technologies (e.g., foundation models, multimodal AI, reinforcement learning).
  • Contribute to RBC's AI thought leadership through publications, patents, conference presentations, and community engagement.
  • In this role, you will communicate and interact frequently with RBC partners and/or employees located across Canada and/or worldwide.


What do you need to succeed?

Must Have:
  • PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
  • 10+ years of experience developing and deploying machine learning models in industry settings, with at least 3-5 years in leadership roles and people management.
  • Experience translating research prototypes into production-grade solutions at scale, preferably in regulated industries (financial services, healthcare, etc.).
  • Strong publication record and recognized thought leadership in AI/ML (conference papers, patents, technical blogs, or open-source contributions).
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate across technical and non-technical stakeholders, communicating complex concepts clearly to senior leadership.


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.
  • Work at the cutting edge of AI: Access to RBC's unique data assets, world-class compute infrastructure, and strategic partnerships with leading AI research institutions.
  • Industry-leading research environment: Publish your work, attend top-tier conferences, and collaborate with renowned researchers from RBC Borealis and beyond.
  • Real-world impact: Your research will directly power products and services used by millions of clients across Canada and globally.
  • Comprehensive Total Rewards Program including competitive compensation, bonuses, flexible benefits, and stock options.
  • Talent development: Leaders who support your growth through coaching, mentorship, and opportunities to shape RBC's AI strategy.
  • Dynamic, high-performing team: Work alongside some of the brightest minds in AI, machine learning, and financial services.
  • Opportunities for progressively greater impact: Shape the future of AI at one of the world's leading financial institutions.


#LI-POST

#TecPJ

Job Skills
Data Science, Decision Making, Emerging Technologies, Group Problem Solving, Machine Learning (ML), Multi-Level Communication, Programming Languages

Additional Job Details

Address:

6666 RUE ST URBAIN, FLOOR 3:MONTRÉAL

City:

Montréal

Country:

Canada

Work hours/week:

37.5

Employment Type:

Full time

Platform:

TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS

Job Type:

Regular

Pay Type:

Salaried

Posted Date:

2026-05-24

Application Deadline:

2026-11-02
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.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here at Royal Bank of Canada.

Job Alert Emails

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

Similar Jobs

Ad banner background

Get Ready For Your
Next Interview

More Jobs at Royal Bank of Canada

More Finance & Insurance Jobs

Find similar Senior Director, AI Research jobs:

NationwideMontreal, QC