About the role
Job Description
What is the opportunity?
The Associate Director, Operational Innovation & Readiness leads the design, development, and execution of comprehensive Operational Readiness strategies aligned with RBC CM-COO transformation roadmaps, technology roadmaps, and business priorities. This strategic delivery role ensures that major initiatives, system implementations, organizational changes, and technology deployments are supported by robust readiness planning, governance, and execution frameworks. The role partners with leadership and stakeholders across product, technology, data and business functions to integrate operational and technology readiness planning with initiative planning.
What will you do?
Operational Readiness Strategy & Governance: Develop and maintain a comprehensive operational readiness strategy and framework that guides preparation for operational initiatives and technology deployments. Define readiness methodologies, standards, and best practices for the organization. Establish governance structures, decision-making processes, and readiness review gates that ensure disciplined assessment of organizational preparedness. Develop or connect existing escalation protocols and technology adoption checkpoints that align operational readiness to executive decision-making.
Readiness Assessment & Maturity Frameworks: Design, align and implement readiness assessment and organizational maturity models that measure preparedness across key dimensions such as process design, staffing, training, technology readiness, data readiness, and communication. Develop readiness assessment tools to provide objective, data-driven insights into organizational capability and risk. Refine assessment methodologies based on lessons learned and evolving business needs.
Readiness Planning Integration & Collaboraton: Embed readiness planning into major initiatives from the outset through close partnership with product, platform, business, and technology stakeholders. Coordinate with cross-functional teams on process redesign, staffing, training, and change management workstreams to ensure plans are comprehensive and integrated. Partner with with technology and business stakeholders to develop and oversee technology readiness assessments, maintaining visibility across infrastructure, data, cyber risk, and user adoption. Identify adoption barriers and drive organization-wide technology uptake in partnership with relevant teams.
Monitoring: Monitor organisational performance post-implementations, assessing whether changes delivered intended business outcomes and benefits. Track readiness metrics and KPIs, identify gaps, and adjust approaches based on lessons learned. Document outcomes and contribute insights to the function's knowledge base to continuously strengthen the organisation's readiness capability.
What do you need to succeed?
Must-have
Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business administration or a related field.
7–10 years of progressive experience in operational readiness, change management, program management, or technology implementation.
Exceptional communication, collaboration and influencing skills.
Expertise in change management, organisational design, and senior stakeholder engagement.
Expertise in data-driven decision-making; proficiency in Tableau/Power BI, Microsoft Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Sharepoint) and Project Management tools (Microsoft Project, Jira).
Track record in leading technology implementations, system deployments, or digital transformation initiatives in a complex enterprise environment.
Familiarity with developing and implementing operational readiness frameworks, assessment methodologies, and governance structures.
Proven ability to translate technology capabilities into operational insights, procedures and workflows.
Nice-to-have
Experience in financial services or a regulated industry strongly preferred, Capital Markets knowledge an asset.
Expertise in designing operational readiness frameworks, maturity models, and governance structures.
Expertise in leading readiness assessments and translate technical capabilities into operational workflows.
Expertise in mitigating readiness and adoption risks in regulated environments.
PMP or equivalent certification an asset.
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.
Flexible work/life balance options.
Opportunities to do challenging work.
Opportunities to take on progressively greater accountabilities.
Access to a variety of job opportunities across business.
Job Skills
Business Process Improvements, Commercial Acumen, Customer Service Management, Decision Making, Detail-Oriented, Product Services, Quality Management, Risk ManagementAdditional Job Details
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Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the application deadline date above
Our Employment Opportunities
At RBC, we are guided by living shared values of Client First, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect and Excellence and winning together as One 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.
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Expand your limits and create a new future together at RBC. Find out how we use our passion and drive to enhance the well-being of our clients and communities at jobs.rbc.com.
RBC is presently inviting candidates to apply for this existing vacancy. Applying to this posting allows you to express your interest in this current career opportunity at RBC. Qualified applicants may be contacted to review their resume in more detail.
Aplyr's read
Royal Bank of Canada stands as a financial giant in North America, attracting professionals in AI, digital transformation, and regulatory compliance.
What's promising
- •RBC's strong market position in North America provides stability and growth opportunities.
- •The bank invests heavily in AI and digital transformation, offering cutting-edge roles.
- •RBC's diverse financial services cater to a broad client base, enhancing career variety.
What to watch
- •Regulatory scrutiny in the financial sector can impact operations and job stability.
- •Adapting to rapid technological changes may challenge some employees.
- •High competition in the financial industry could pressure profit margins.
Why Royal Bank of Canada
- •RBC's focus on AI modernization differentiates it in the financial services sector.
- •The bank's commitment to sustainability reporting highlights its forward-thinking approach.
- •RBC's extensive role variety in finance transformation attracts diverse talent.
Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?
About Royal Bank of Canada
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is one of Canada's largest banks and a leading financial services provider in North America, offering a wide range of financial products and services to personal, business, and institutional clients.
