Vice President - Operational Risk, Controls & Governance

What is the opportunity?

The VP, Operational Risk, Controls & Governance serves as a strategic leader within the Capital Markets first line of defense, responsible for overseeing and executing comprehensive operational risk management programs. This role ensures comprehensive risk identification, assessment, monitoring, and mitigation across all business lines while fostering a robust risk culture and maintaining regulatory compliance through effective governance frameworks and control oversight.

What will you do?

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous enhancement of comprehensive Risk & Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) program across Capital Markets business units and affiliates, including management and oversight of Risk Registers with real-time input and assessment of inherent and residual risks in collaboration with business and functional stakeholders.

• Establish and maintain a comprehensive operational risk event reporting framework to capture, analyze, and report operational losses, gains, near-miss events, and timing losses, coordinating root cause analysis activities and maintaining a detailed event database with trend analysis capabilities.

• Execute thorough operational risk issues management processes to identify, track, and resolve control deficiencies and risk exposures, coordinating completion of risk mitigating actions and providing regular status updates to senior management.

• Oversee and enhance a comprehensive control testing program to validate effectiveness of risk mitigating controls, coordinating with 1LOD Testing teams and analyzing testing results to identify control deficiencies and coordinate remediation efforts.

• Develop and report comprehensive risk appetite metrics and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) to monitor high risks to Capital Markets business units, creating sophisticated measurement frameworks and preparing regular risk appetite reporting for senior management.

• Serve as primary liaison between first line of defense and second/third line functions for risk management activities, fostering strong working relationships with senior management and representing Operational Risk, Controls & Governance at internal meetings and audit activities.

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Strategic Program Development and Implementation

• Partner with senior leadership in development and implementation of new risk management programs, assessments, and regulatory requirements

• Analyze, evaluate, and periodically review current risk management practices across the organization including affiliates

• Support development of controls to aid implementation of regulations, rules, and risk management requirements

• Participate in strategic analysis and business integration activities to support organizational planning and business model adjustments

Advanced Analytics and Performance Measurement

• Analyze and evaluate complex data affecting technical, operational, and business functions to provide actionable insights

• Build and maintain comprehensive risk registers incorporating real-time assessments

• Develop sophisticated analytical capabilities to support evidence-based risk management decisions and predictive modeling

Organizational Development and Training

• Ensure appropriate colleagues are informed and trained on risk management practices, control testing methodologies, and reporting requirements

• Contribute to development of robust risk culture, risk conduct, and risk literacy within first line of defence

• Identify and document preventive and detective controls across business activities

Communication and Reporting Excellence

• Develop presentations conveying integrated risk insights to senior management and external stakeholders

• Partner with reporting teams to ensure all risk-related reporting requirements are fulfilled accurately and timely

• Maintain regular communication with business stakeholders providing risk & control environment updates

Regulatory Management and Audit Support

• Maintain thorough knowledge of and ensure adherence to applicable firm policies and regulatory requirements

• Establish escalation protocols for operational risk events, control deficiencies, and emerging risks

• Facilitate audit and examination activities serving as primary point of contact for internal and external auditors

• Coordinate responses to audit findings and recommendations across all core risk program functions

• Create trend analysis reports identifying key processes, policies, and practices requiring corrective action

What do you need to succeed?

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, Economics, or related field

• Strong academic performance demonstrating analytical and quantitative capabilities

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in operational risk management or related financial services roles

• Proven track record in stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration

• Experience working within first line of defence in capital markets or investment banking environment

• MBA, JD, or other advanced degree (e.g. Masters, etc.) preferred

• Professional risk management certifications (FRM, PRM, CRM, or equivalent) preferred

• Advanced proficiency in risk management methodologies and frameworks

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills with ability to interpret complex data sets

• Knowledge of statistical analysis, trend identification, and predictive modeling techniques

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint for data analysis and presentation development

• Experience with risk management systems, databases, and reporting tools (Archer, OpenPages)

• Knowledge of data visualization tools and dashboard development

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills with ability to present to senior management

• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills across all organizational levels

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills including ability to define, deconstruct, and prioritize complex issues

• Exceptional attention to detail with structured thinking approach

• Ability to handle uncertainty and simplify complexity while maintaining clarity

• Excellent time management, organizational, and prioritization skills and ability to balance multiple priorities

• Quick learning ability with capacity to rapidly assimilate new information and risk management changes

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

• Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities 

• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team

• Opportunities to do challenging work

• Flexible work/life balance options

#LI-KA2

Job Skills

Communication, Financial Instruments, Fraud Risk Management, Long Term Planning, Operational Risks, Risk Control, Risk Management, Waterfall Model

Additional Job Details

ROYAL BANK PLAZA, 200 BAY ST:TORONTOTorontoCanada37.5Full timeCAPITAL MARKETSRegularSalaried2025-11-042025-11-18

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.