Director, AI Risk and Control Advisory

Job Description

What is the Opportunity?The Director, AI Risk Enablement is responsible for architecting, automating, and streamlining AI risk processes across RBC's enterprise to enable safe and responsible scaling of AI technology. This role bridges business and technology by establishing practical, scalable risk management processes that embed AI risk accountability into product development and deployment workflows. By combining deep expertise in IT risk management with operational excellence, this individual ensures that cutting-edge risk management tools and practices are seamlessly integrated into RBC's broader risk assessment infrastructure, while providing hands-on risk subject matter expertise to AI teams across the organization.What will you do? AI Risk Process Architecture & Optimization

• Design and implement scalable, integrated AI risk processes with standardized methodologies, clear accountability, and continuous improvement mechanisms across the organization

• Map existing workflows to identify automation and streamlining opportunities, and evaluate emerging AI risk management tools for adoption

On-the-Ground Risk Subject Matter Expertise

• Lead a team providing practical risk guidance and assessments to development teams throughout the AI lifecycle, with escalation of key initiatives to governance forums

• Translate risk frameworks into operational guidance and build risk-aware culture through team education and engagement

IT Risk Integration & Expertise

• Leverage deep IT risk expertise to design AI risk frameworks that integrate with existing IT, cybersecurity, and operational risk processes, bridging IT and business perspectives

• Maintain current knowledge of IT risk frameworks and methodologies while facilitating alignment between IT risk, Information Security, and AI governance teams

Risk and Control Register Advisory

• Provide advisory and review guidance on AI risk and control documentation in RBC's registers, ensuring alignment with enterprise risk management standards and regulatory expectations

• Partner with business units to establish consistent documentation and validate entries for completeness, accuracy, and appropriate risk classification

Cross-Functional Communication & Influence

• Translate complex AI risk concepts into actionable guidance and build trusted advisory relationships across product, engineering, executive, and business leadership

• Partner across Risk, Compliance, Technology, and business functions to operationalize AI risk management, serving as a bridge between technical teams and risk perspectives

Team Leadership & Development

• Build and lead a high-performing team of AI risk experts, fostering a collaborative culture that enables business innovation while maintaining risk controls

• Develop team capabilities in AI risk assessment and stakeholder engagement, support professional growth, and align team capacity with enterprise AI development demands

What do you need to succeed?

• IT Risk Expertise: Deep understanding of IT risk frameworks, processes, and RBC's IT risk governance structure

• Risk Identification & Control Review: Proficiency in reviewing and advising risks and controls in enterprise risk management systems and risk registers, with ability to establish clear documentation standards and practices

• Process Design & Optimization: Demonstrated ability to architect scalable, efficient processes that balance control with operational efficiency

• Technical Acumen: Strong understanding of AI/ML development processes, technologies, and technical risk factors

• Tool & Systems Integration: Experience with risk management tools, platforms, and integration with enterprise systems

• Cross-functional Communication: Ability to communicate complex risk concepts fluently with both business and technical audiences

• Practical Problem-Solving: Track record of translating policy and frameworks into operational, actionable guidance

• Leadership & Influence: Ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders without formal authority

• Continuous Learning: Commitment to staying current with emerging AI risks, technologies, and regulatory developments

• Establish clear, enterprise-wide AI risk accountability and governance structures

• Effective governance forums that enable timely decision-making and risk mitigation

• Comprehensive risk reporting that provides transparency on RBC's AI risk profile to management and the Board

What's in it for you?

• Lead AI transformation at one of Canada's largest and most respected financial institutions, with direct visibility to Group Head and Operating Committee level leadership at RBC

• Shape the mandate and culture of a newly formed, high-impact function within RBC's AI Group

• A comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses and flexible benefits, competitive compensation, commissions, and stock options where applicable

• Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities

• Ability to make a difference and lasting impact from a local-to-global scale

About the AI Group:RBC's AI Group is the AI accelerator for RBC, with a focus on driving the shift from early-stage AI projects to scaled, client outcomes that amplify the impact of RBC's people. In addition to helping scale the biggest AI opportunities at RBC, the AI Group is responsible for advancing research into emerging use cases across generative and agentic AI, while maintaining expertise in security, responsible AI and regulatory expectations. The Business Enablement function within the AI Group partners with LOBs and Functions to set AI ambition, originate transformation opportunities, and frame programs for delivery — ensuring RBC remains at the frontier of AI-enabled value creation.