Managing Director, Data Strategy & Execution

What is the Opportunity?

This role offers the opportunity to shape the data future of a leading financial institution while working with cutting-edge technologies and solving complex challenges that directly impact client outcomes and business success.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic environment where data-driven decision making is fundamental to organizational success and competitive advantage, with direct access to senior leadership across business, technology, and strategy functions, and the resources necessary to drive meaningful change across the organization

Direct report of Capital Markets Chief Operating Officer (COO) leading our enterprise-wide data initiatives and driving the strategic vision for data management across our global financial services organization.

Develop and execute on comprehensive data strategies that enhance regulatory reporting capabilities, advance client analytics, and resolve complex data challenges across multiple business lines and geographies.

Manage a high-performing senior team of data scientists and analysts while establishing the organization's data vision for the future.

Close collaboration with Capital Markets Business heads, Technology, and the Strategy team to ensure seamless integration of data initiatives across all critical functions

What will you do?

Strategic Leadership and Innovation

Establish and communicate the organization's data vision, developing comprehensive strategies that align with business objectives and regulatory requirements

Create roadmaps for data transformation initiatives and ensuring data strategies support both current operations and future growth across all business units

Champion and drive organizational adoption of Generative AI tools to revolutionize how we document and define data lineage, identify and catalog critical data elements, and establish comprehensive data governance frameworks

Lead the organization's transformation toward AI-enhanced data management practices, fostering innovation while ensuring responsible implementation

Team Management and AI Integration

Lead and develop a team of senior data scientists and analysts, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation while ensuring optimal team performance and professional growth

Guide the team in leveraging GenAI capabilities to automate complex data documentation processes, enhance data discovery, and accelerate the development of data dictionaries and metadata management systems

Cross-Functional Partnership and Collaboration

Work directly with Capital Markets Business heads to ensure that data strategies directly support business objectives and client needs across all trading, investment banking, and research functions

Close partnership with the Technology for implementing technical solutions, maintaining robust data infrastructure

Regular collaboration with the Strategy team to ensure data initiatives align with broader corporate strategic priorities and support long-term competitive positioning

AI-Driven Data Governance and Documentation

Spearhead the implementation of Generative AI solutions to transform traditional approaches to data lineage mapping, critical data element identification, and data definition processes

Drive organizational change management to ensure widespread adoption of these innovative tools, establishing new standards for automated data documentation, intelligent data cataloging, and AI-assisted data quality assessment

Regulatory and Compliance Excellence

Enhance data quality and governance for regulatory reporting, ensuring compliance with evolving financial regulations across multiple jurisdictions

Strengthen data lineage documentation, improve reporting accuracy, and maintain robust data controls that meet regulatory standards while reducing manual effort and increasing consistency

Client Analytics Enhancement

Drive the development of advanced client analytics capabilities, leveraging both traditional data assets and AI-enhanced data documentation to generate actionable insights that improve client experience and business outcomes

Oversee the integration of disparate data sources to create comprehensive client views and enable personalized service delivery through intelligent data management

Leadership Behaviors

Demonstrate exceptional communication skills, capable of translating complex technical concepts for diverse audiences including senior executives, business heads, technology leaders, strategy teams, regulators, and front-line staff

Showcase strategic thinking abilities, along with the capacity to anticipate future data needs and technological developments that will impact the organization

Strong people management skills are critical for building and maintaining a world-class data team, while executive presence and relationship-building capabilities are necessary for effective partnership with senior stakeholders across the organization

Possess change management expertise and the ability to drive adoption of innovative technologies across a large, complex organization

Ensure that employees understand the RBC vision & values

Ensure leadership bench strength and succession in key leadership roles

Success Metrics

Successful development and execution of enterprise-wide data strategies that align with regulatory requirements, business objectives, and long-term growth

Measurable progress in implementing Generative AI solutions for data lineage mapping, critical data element identification, and automated data documentation, ensuring enhanced governance and efficiency

Improved data quality, governance, and accuracy in regulatory reporting, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations across jurisdictions while reducing manual effort

Seamless alignment of data strategies with Capital Markets, Technology, and Strategy teams, ensuring data initiatives directly support business objectives and client needs

High performing, engaged data team successfully leveraging AI tools to deliver innovative solutions, with measurable improvements in team output, retention, and professional development

What do you need to succeed?

Experience Required

Progressive experience (10+ years) in enterprise-wide in data management, analytics, or related fields within financial services or comparable regulated industries

Proven track record of driving large-scale / enterprise-wide data transformation initiatives, including AI-driven solutions and governance frameworks

Experience working with advanced technologies and data-driven solutions, including a focus on automation, efficiency, and innovation

Experience collaborating with senior executives and cross-functional teams across global business lines and geographies

Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders to drive strategic outcomes

Education, certification and designation requirements

Required

Bachelor's degree in data science, computer science, information systems, or a related field

Nice to have

Advanced degree in a relevant field such as data science, computer science, finance, or business administration

Certifications in data management, analytics, or artificial intelligence

Experience in consulting or other roles requiring rapid adaptation to different business contexts

Experience with AI implementation projects, machine learning applications in data management, or leading digital transformation initiatives

Skills and Capabilities

Technical/ functional capabilities:

Expertise in data architecture, governance frameworks and analytical platforms combined with deep knowledge of financial services operations and regulatory requirements

Strong knowledge of advanced analytics, AI/ML tools, and Generative AI for data management and automation

Technical depth and business strategy capabilities to effectively bridge these domains and communicate with both technical and business audiences

Proficiency in integrating disparate data systems and building robust data infrastructure

Knowledgeable of all CM products and services

Inter-personal skills and capabilities:

Leadership experience in effectively with senior business leaders, technology executives, and strategy teams

Proven record in driving organizational change and technology adoption, particularly in introducing innovative AI solutions to traditional business processes

Experience managing cross-functional partnerships and influencing stakeholders at all organizational levels without direct authority is required, along with demonstrated success in building consensus among diverse stakeholder groups across business, technology, and strategy functions

Commitment to lead, develop, and inspire high-performing teams of data professionals, including senior data scientists and analysts

Decision Making & Impact

Approve enterprise-wide data strategies, including AI-driven governance frameworks, data infrastructure investments, and resource prioritization Drive/facilitate transformational agenda

Define team goals and deliverables for senior data scientists and analysts to align with organizational objectives

Guide adoption of data strategies and AI tools by collaborating with Capital Markets, Technology, and Strategy leaders to ensure alignment with business priorities

Influence regulatory compliance and client analytics enhancements by providing data-driven insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders

People Manager

Lead a team of approx. 45 FTE and 10 consultants with domain expertise in data science, analysis etc.

Budget Accountability and/or Financial Impact

Oversee and manage the enterprise-wide data strategy budget, including investments in AI-driven data infrastructure and governance initiatives

Accountable for optimizing data-related costs, improving operational efficiencies, and ensuring measurable ROI from data transformation initiatives

Drive financial impact by enhancing regulatory compliance and client analytics, reducing manual processes, and enabling data-driven business growth

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

Opportunities to do challenging work

Opportunities to building close relationships with clients

The expected salary range for this particular position is $300,000-$400,000, 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.

RBC's compensation philosophy and principles recognize the importance of a highly qualified global workforce and plays a critical role in attracting, engaging and retaining talent that:

Drives RBC's high-performance culture

Enables collective achievement of our strategic goals

Generates sustainable shareholder returns and above market shareholder value

Job Skills

Additional Job Details

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

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment

At RBC, we believe an inclusive workplace that has diverse perspectives is core to our continued growth as one of the largest and most successful banks in the world. Maintaining a workplace where our employees feel supported to perform at their best, effectively collaborate, drive innovation, and grow professionally helps to bring our Purpose to life and create value for our clients and communities. RBC strives to deliver this through policies and programs intended to foster a workplace based on respect, belonging and opportunity for all.