Royal Bank of Canada

Senior Director, Early Talent & Innovation Programs

Royal Bank of Canada$130K — $180K *
Business Services
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years experience advising senior executives and executing strategic programs
  • Proven experience building and leading diverse teams
  • Managing multi-million-dollar portfolios and budget responsibilities
  • Strong capability in translating enterprise objectives into actionable initiatives
  • Expertise in talent management and organizational design with strategic insight

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a strategic partner to T&O executives on talent and transformation
  • Shape and execute the early talent strategy to drive competitive advantage
  • Design and oversee early talent pipeline programs with measurable outcomes
  • Drive enterprise talent planning and workforce capability forecasting
  • Develop employee experience programs that position T&O as an employer of choice
  • Implement advanced analytics for talent insights and decision-making
  • Lead a multidisciplinary team to establish strategic vision and accountability

Benefits

  • Comprehensive Total Rewards Program including competitive compensation and bonuses
  • Leadership support for professional development and career growth
  • Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the organization
  • Dynamic and high-performing team environment
  • World-class training program in financial services
  • Flexible work/life balance options
  • Challenging work that encourages innovation and growth
Full Job Description
Job Description

WHAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY?

As Senior Director, Early Talent & Experience for Technology & Operations, you will lead the strategic design and execution of integrated Talent and Experience programs that establish RBC T&O as a competitive leader in attracting, developing, and retaining world-class technology talent. This role combines strategic talent planning with operational program delivery excellence, requiring you to translate T&O's talent imperatives into measurable business outcomes and organizational capability. You will lead and develop a substantial multidisciplinary team providing strategic vision, mentorship, and accountability structures that drive organizational excellence and career advancement. You will execute programs across early talent acquisition, technical capability development, retention, and organizational culture - all strategically aligned to T&O's roadmap and Talent Strategy while serving as a key strategic advisor to senior leadership on talent priorities and organizational transformation.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Strategic Leadership & Advisory
  • Serve as a trusted strategic partner and advisor to T&O executives on talent priorities, organizational transformation, and people-related business outcomes, directly influencing strategic decision-making on early talent investments and learning
  • Shape T&O's enterprise early talent strategy, translating organizational imperatives into integrated programs that drive competitive advantage and support long-term business objectives
  • Drive organizational transformation initiatives through early talent strategy, , leadership development pathways, and capability-building programs that advance enterprise goals
  • Partner strategically with HR, Recruitment, and Corporate Communications leadership to establish differentiated employer brand positioning and value proposition that attracts and retains competitive technical talent in high-demand markets; strengthen the brand in the market through university partnerships, industry engagement and early talent community presence.
  • Foster cross-functional partnerships with enterprise stakeholders to ensure talent strategy coherence across T&O and RBC, amplifying program impact and organizational reach

Talent & Experience Program Strategy
  • Shape and execute a comprehensive, enterprise-wide early talent and experience strategy that position Tech[redacted] as a premier destination for world-class technology talent, directly supporting organizational capability and competitive advantage
  • Direct strategic talent and experience program portfolio aligned to T&O's and AI Group's technology roadmap and critical capability requirements (AI/ML, cloud, data engineering, cybersecurity).
  • Design and oversee T&O's early talent pipeline strategy, including co-op and New Grad programs with measurable business outcomes tied to talent conversion, retention, and organizational capability development
  • Drive enterprise-level workforce planning and capability forecasting that informs long-term talent strategy and organizational transformation initiatives

Employee Experience, Engagement & Retention
  • Design strategic employee experience programs that differentiate RBC T&O and AI Group as an employer of choice, embedding career acceleration, innovation culture, and continuous growth opportunity into organizational programs
  • Direct the development and execution of enterprise-scale employee recognition programs that reinforce organizational culture, drive engagement, and strengthen retention of high-performing talent
  • Build and deploy strategic initiatives that enhance employee experience, strengthen organizational culture, and position RBC T&O and AI Group as a destination employer for technology talent

Analytics & Business Impact
  • Establish advanced talent analytics and workforce intelligence capabilities delivering predictive insights on early talent attraction, retention, capability development, and experience, informing strategic decision-making across the enterprise
  • Implement metrics-driven governance around critical talent KPIs with real-time insights and executive reporting that demonstrates program performance, business impact, and return on investment
  • Drive continuous optimization of talent programs through advanced analytics, data-driven insights, and strategic experimentation, translating findings into enterprise-wide capability enhancements

Large-Scale Team Leadership
  • Lead and develop a substantial multidisciplinary team establishing clear strategic vision, accountability structures, and performance expectations
  • Build high-performance organizational culture characterized by strategic orientation, operational excellence, and measurable accountability, fostering an environment that attracts and develops emerging leaders
  • Provide strategic mentorship and leadership development to team members, identifying and cultivating emerging talent leaders and building organizational bench strength for future enterprise leadership


WHAT DO YOU NEED TO SUCCEED?

Must-have
  • 5+ years proven experience collaborating and advising senior executives while leading and executing strategic projects / programs, including matrix/dotted-line reporting structures
  • Proven track record in building and leading diverse teams
  • Experience managing multi-million-dollar portfolios, including funding/budget management
  • Experience in strategy translation-converting enterprise objectives into actionable programs / initiatives
  • Strategic acumen in talent management, organizational design, or innovation ecosystems

Nice to have
  • Experience leading innovation centers, labs, or hub-based organizational models through different maturity phases
  • Deep knowledge of Canadian tech ecosystem and academic partnerships
  • Background in fintech, technology, or transformation-focused environments
  • Track record of building employer brand and driving organizational culture change
  • Experience serving as a culture carrier and embedding organizational values across distributed teams


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 including bonuses and flexible benefits, competitive compensation, commissions, and stock where applicable
  • 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
  • A world-class training program in financial services
  • Flexible work/life balance options
  • Opportunities to do challenging work


Job Skills
Action-Oriented, Business Strategies, Innovation, Innovation Program, Program Delivery Management, Relationship Management, Stakeholder Buy-In, Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Management, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategy Development

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:

2026-06-29

Application Deadline:

2026-07-29
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.

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
5 Year Trend
+8.7%
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Royal Bank of Canada

More Business Services Jobs

Find similar Senior Director, Early Talent & Innovation Programs jobs: