Managing Director, Head, Business Architecture & Product Development

What is the Opportunity?

This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of RBC Capital Markets' business architecture and drive transformational change at one of North America's premier investment banks.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic leadership team committed to innovation, excellence, and sustainable growth, with a specific mandate to optimize the critical intersection between business strategy and operational execution

Direct report of Capital Markets Chief Operating Officer (COO), this role will develop and execute a business architecture strategy aligned with RBC Capital Markets' objectives, driving operational efficiency, client experience, and competitive advantage.

The role will identify initiatives, integrating operations, technology, and business functions while adopting innovative solutions like Generative AI.

The role will also optimize operating platforms, establish governance frameworks, and build a high-performing team to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with enterprise priorities and regulatory requirements

What will you do?

Strategic Leadership & Vision

Develop and execute a comprehensive business architecture strategy aligned with RBC Capital Markets' strategic objectives and growth trajectory

Partner with senior leadership to identify transformation opportunities that enhance operational efficiency, client experience, and competitive positioning

Define and communicate the target state business architecture vision across all business lines and supporting functions

Business Architecture

Lead the documentation, analysis, and optimization of current state business architecture across Capital Markets operations

Design future state business architecture frameworks that support scalable growth and operational excellence

Establish governance frameworks and standards for business architecture practices across the organization

Ensure alignment between business strategy, operating model, technology architecture, and data architecture

Transforming Platforms, Processes and Performance

Shape and steer transformation initiatives from conception to adoption, ensuring business objectives, client impact and operational readiness are met

Partner closely with the Business Transformation Team to ensure Capital Markets-wide transformation programs are delivered comprehensively across all business functions

Analyze and optimize the impacts of transformation initiatives on the Operating Platform, encompassing both Operations and Technology domains

Lead cross-functional collaboration to ensure seamless integration between front office business requirements and middle/back office operational capabilities

Lead cross-functional teams in re-engineering business processes to eliminate inefficiencies and enhance client outcomes

Champion the adoption of emerging technologies, including Generative AI, to drive innovation and operational improvements

Establish frameworks for assessing operational readiness and technology capacity implications of business transformation initiatives

Establish measurement frameworks to track transformation success and business value realization

Operating Platform Architecture & Optimization

Design and implement operating model changes that enhance operational efficiency, straight-through processing, and risk management capabilities

Collaborate with Technology leadership to ensure business architecture aligns with technology roadmaps and infrastructure strategies

Lead initiatives to modernize operational processes, reduce manual interventions, and improve operational resilience

Partner with Operations teams to identify automation and GenAI opportunities and process standardization initiatives

Ensure transformation programs consider operational scalability, regulatory compliance, and risk management requirements

Leadership Behaviors

Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of business analysts, process re-engineering specialists, and GenAI engineers

Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and analytical excellence within the team

Develop team capabilities in modern business architecture methodologies, process optimization, and emerging technologies

Build specialized expertise within the team focused on operating platform optimization and operations-technology integration

Collaborate with HR to attract, retain, and develop top-tier talent in business architecture and transformation disciplines

Stakeholder Management & Communication

Serve as the primary interface between business units, technology teams, and senior leadership on architecture and product development matters

Maintain strong partnership with Business Transformation Team leadership to ensure coordinated delivery of enterprise-wide initiatives

Work closely with Operations leadership to understand operational constraints and identify improvement opportunities

Collaborate with Technology leadership to align business architecture decisions with technology strategy and investment priorities

Present complex business architecture concepts and transformation roadmaps to executive leadership and board project committees

Partner with business heads to understand strategic priorities and translate them into actionable architecture and process improvements

Coordinate with risk, compliance, and audit functions to ensure all transformation initiatives meet regulatory requirements

Success Metrics

Establish and maintain governance frameworks for business architecture and transformation, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, operational scalability, and risk management

Document and map all end to end business process flows, inclusive of underlying technology stack, critical data elements and key control points. Use this information to transform a legacy, manual environment to an automated, end to end scalable ecosystem.

Deliver measurable improvements in operational efficiency and straight-through processing, reducing manual interventions and achieving a defined percentage of cost savings annually

Drive adoption of Generative AI and other emerging technologies, with tangible impacts on data governance, process optimization, and client outcomes

Demonstrate improvements in employee engagement, team productivity, and the development of specialized expertise in business architecture, transformation, and technology integration

What do you need to succeed?

Experience Required

10-15 years of progressive leadership experience in business architecture, business transformation, or management consulting roles within financial services environments

Minimum 5 years of experience in senior roles within financial services, preferably in capital markets or investment banking

Demonstrated success in managing complex, matrixed organizations and driving large-scale global initiatives with measurable results

Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders to drive strategic outcomes

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

Education, certification and designation requirements

Required

Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or equivalent) in Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Nice to have

Professional certifications in business architecture (e.g., CBAP, TOGAF) or project management (PMP, Prince2)

Experience with cloud platforms and modern technology architectures

Background in operations consulting or operations leadership roles within Capital Markets

Previous experience working with C-suite executives and board-level stakeholders

Experience with enterprise transformation programs spanning multiple business units and functions

Skills and Capabilities

Technical/ functional capabilities:

Deep expertise in business architecture frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman, or similar) and methodologies

Strong background in process re-engineering, lean methodologies, and operational excellence practices

Demonstrated experience in operating platform optimization, including operations processes and technology integration

Understanding of Capital Markets products, operations, and regulatory environment

Experience with emerging technologies including Generative AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics

Proficiency in business architecture and process modeling tools (e.g., ARIS, Visio, Blueworks)

Knowledge of operations technology platforms, workflow management systems, and automation tools

Inter-personal skills and capabilities

Exceptional leadership capabilities with experience managing cross-functional teams of 15+ professionals

Outstanding communication and presentation skills with ability to influence senior executives and board members

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with data-driven decision-making approach

Proven ability to work collaboratively across business, operations, and technology functions

Proven ability to drive change management and cultural transformation in complex organizations

Strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution capabilities

Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships across multiple organizational functions

People Manager

Lead a team of approx. 45 FTE and 45 consultants with domain expertise in business architecture, emerging technologies and strategy

Budget Accountability and/or Financial Impact

Oversee and manage the budget for business architecture initiatives, ensuring efficient resource allocation and cost control

Drive measurable cost savings through operational efficiency improvements, process optimization, and automation initiatives

Ensure alignment of transformation investments with business objectives, delivering a strong return on investment (ROI) and long-term value

Manage financial risks by ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and enhancing operational resilience

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.