Director Issuing, Merchant Services and Physical Channels

RBC; Toronto; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

RBC seeks a strategic technology leader to drive growth and operational excellence across card issuing, merchant services, and physical channels in Canada. You will oversee end-to-end card portfolios, branch/ATM networks and acquiring services, ensuring secure, scalable, and compliant solutions aligned with RBC’s strategic objectives.

You will lead cross-functional teams, advance digital transformation, and strengthen regulatory risk controls, while collaborating with partners to expand market

Qualifications

• University-level degree in a technical field with strong software engineering foundations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a technology strategy for Issuing, Merchant Services and Physical Channels.

Skills

Leadership

Card Issuing

Payment platforms

Agile methodologies

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Helios

GitHub

UrbanCode

Job description

What is the opportunity?

In this role you will be a strategic leader responsible for driving the growth, innovation, and operational excellence of the bank's card issuing, merchant services, and physical banking channels. This role is pivotal in delivering seamless, secure, and customer‑centric payment and banking solutions while ensuring alignment with the bank's broader strategic objectives. You will oversee the end-to-end management of credit and debit card portfolios, merchant acquiring services, and the branch and ATM network, fostering collaboration across business units to deliver an integrated and future-ready banking experience. You should have a deep understanding of payment ecosystems, core banking platforms and emerging technologies and can navigate complex regulatory environments and drive operational efficiencies. You play a critical role in providing technology support to our Cards business as RBC enhances customer satisfaction, expands market share, and ensures the bank remains competitive in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Job Description

What is the opportunity?

In this role you will be a strategic leader responsible for driving the growth, innovation, and operational excellence of the bank's card issuing, merchant services, and physical banking channels. This role is pivotal in delivering seamless, secure, and customer‑centric payment and banking solutions while ensuring alignment with the bank's broader strategic objectives. You will oversee the end-to-end management of credit and debit card portfolios, merchant acquiring services, and the branch and ATM network, fostering collaboration across business units to deliver an integrated and future-ready banking experience. You should have a deep understanding of payment ecosystems, core banking platforms and emerging technologies and can navigate complex regulatory environments and drive operational efficiencies. You play a critical role in providing technology support to our Cards business as RBC enhances customer satisfaction, expands market share, and ensures the bank remains competitive in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

What will you do?

• Develop and execute a comprehensive technology strategy for the Issuing, Merchant Services, and Physical Channels portfolio, ensuring alignment with the bank's overall vision and goals.
• Drive innovation, particularly in AI and digital transformation across all business units to deliver cutting‑edge solutions and enhance customer experiences.
• Oversee the performance of the card issuing application portfolio ensuring highly resilient systems, implementing a robust risk management framework to protect the bank, customers, and merchants from fraud and cyber threats.
• Optimize the branch and ATM network to ensure accessibility, efficiency, and alignment with customer needs.
• Ensure the reliability, security, and scalability of systems and infrastructure supporting cards, merchant services, and physical channels.
• Ensure all products, services, and operations comply with local and international regulatory requirements, including PCI DSS and other payment industry standards.
• Build and lead high-performing teams across the Issuing, Merchant Services, and Physical Channels business units, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Support the development of strategic partnerships with merchants, fintechs, and other stakeholders to expand the bank's market reach and enhance its competitive position.
• Leverage data analytics and customer insights to inform strategic decisions, optimize portfolio performance, and identify new growth opportunities.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and ensure the achievement of business objectives.

What do you need to succeed?

Must-have

• University or graduate degree in a technical area of study, computer science, information technology or related technical discipline
• 7-10 years’ experience leading engineering teams to deliver in a highly complex environment with multiple key stakeholders and partners both internal and external
• Deep working knowledge of Cards, Core Banking and payment platforms and how they integrate into the complex environment of a retail bank.
• Strong systems knowledge including knowledge of different programming languages, Technology standards, methodologies, capability maturity model (CMM), audit requirements, and middleware technologies.
• Experience with Continuous Integration tools – Helios, GitHub, UrbanCode, Automated Testing tools.
• Process knowledge including different testing tools, design techniques and tools, risk assessment and quantification methodologies
• Experience and applied knowledge of Agile and other project methodologies

Nice-to-have

• Background/experience acting as a technical lead, subject matter expert or solution architect on Issuing, Merchant Services, and Physical Channels

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.

• Opportunity to Lead in a dynamically changing environment
• World‑class training programs and career development opportunities
• The advantage of working with a dynamic, collaborative, and high performing team where initiative and hard work are recognized and rewarded
• Innovative mobile technology to ensure your success

Job Skills

Agile Product Development, Application Development, Application Testing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial Intelligence Technologies, Cloud Computing, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Data Architecture Development, Data Management, Design Thinking, Emerging Technologies, Group Problem Solving, Information Security, IT Project Planning, Long Term Planning, Systems Thinking, Teamwork

Additional Job Details

Address: RBC WATERPARK PLACE, 88 QUEENS QUAY W:TORONTO

City: Toronto

Country: Canada

Work hours/week: 37.5

Employment Type: Full time

Platform: TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS

Job Type: Regular

Pay Type: Salaried

Posted Date: 2026-08-21

Application Deadline: 2026-09-30

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